Hmm, yeah it does seem that the way to go for this game is to make a balanced character. I also have an issue with not being able to roll my attributes like in BG2 and instead we get a set amount of points to spare, which are a bit on the low side for me, too. I do not know if this is a Larian thing, or a D&D thing, though.
I like playing an idolized version of myself and I consider myself, overconfidently, as about 2-4 points higher than what I am allowed to spare. So I naturally have a dumpstat, which in this case is intelligence which is really bothering me. You could get two or one more statpoints at level 4 though, so there is that, yet uneven attribute levels generally do not get much in terms of bonuses.
I do think that the amount of skillchecks in this game, their variance and the severity of their outcomes, is a bit on the high side, so it kind of pushes you into either a broad character, making intense use of companions (requiring immense knowledge of each dialogue), and/or reloading.
5th Edition has rules for point buy attributes, which are currently in EA. You can also roll your attributes at your DM’s discretion, and Larian has said in the past that this will be an option in BG3 at some point in the future.
