D&D 5E How do Ability Score Modifiers Stack?

[LordEntrails]

So how do various ability score modifiers stack? Especially when one modifier sets a score at a set value and another modifiers the score by a set amount.

The specific case, rogue (Strength 11) gets hit a couple of times by a Shadow Assassin (DoMM) and loses 10 points of strength. So now their strength is 1, all is good. But after running to cover, the rogue applies Demonic Jelly (WDDH) which sets their strength score to 21 (i.e. like a potion of giant strength). Is the rogues strength now 21 because of 'order of operations', i.e. does it matter in which order the magical modifiers apply? And therefore if they had used the Jelly first their strength would be 11 (21-10)?

Other cases I'm missing or should consider?

 

[Yora]

Wasn't there a rule of thumb of "whichever order is most beneficial to the character"?

 

[commandercrud]

I'd say set value is set value, modifiers are ignored.

 

[CleverNickName]

I always apply them in order of appearance. So the first effect (the -10 to Strength) would be replaced by the second one (the potion of strength). So I'd rule that the character's strength becomes 21 until that potion wears off, gets dispelled, or whatever.

 

[Neonchameleon]

The other thing to take into account is continuous vs instant depending on how you fluff it. I don't think either has a much stronger case here; if the strength drain is damage but the jelly is a continuous patch that lasts a total of 10 minutes it might be that it set it straight back to 21.

In this case I'd use order of operations.

 

[Shiroiken]

All modifiers should be applied. In the example you've listed they have a -10 penalty and an artificially set score of 21. The end result would be a strength score of 11.

 

[Yora]

I always apply them in order of appearance. So the first effect (the -10 to Strength) would be replaced by the second one (the potion of strength). So I'd rule that the character's strength becomes 21 until that potion wears off, gets dispelled, or whatever.

Works with a potion but would get weird with a magic item. Say you have a ring that sets an attribute to X. Having players take off the ring to lose the benefit and then put it on again to gain the benefit would be weird.

"Have you tried taking it off and on again?"

 

[jmartkdr2]

Works with a potion but would get weird with a magic item. Say you have a ring that sets an attribute to X. Having players take off the ring to lose the benefit and then put it on again to gain the benefit would be weird.

"Have you tried taking it off and on again?"

For what it's worth, they'd need to de-attune and re-attune the item to make that work, which is a clever enough idea that's I'd probably let it work in my own game.

 

[Neonchameleon]

Honestly the real answer is "Don't sweat the small stuff". Either way works, either way rewards the PCs for using the item, and either way ends at the end of the next short rest. Make a decision and move on; time spent faffing and looking things up in the book to work out what the "right" answer is is bad and time spent actively arguing is worse. I'd give the players the advantage here as the DM; the difference isn't much and tehy get to feel cooler.

 

[Yora]

Having a Strength of 1 or 21 is not exactly small stuff.