Yeah I have an issue with my PC being only of average intelligence. However, if there will be rolling I assume that I can just roll to get 2-3 more stats, so that is fine.
I agree that the issue with save-scumming is that it is a result of perceived failure. However I do not see how Larian breaks that up. If I succeed a check I am rather content with the result, if I fail I often have to face severe consequences and some checks are extremely hard to pass, too, even if your stats are good. Like when they make you pass two skillchecks in a row for the same result.
I don't mind average, just dislike playing an imbecile when this hasn't been fleshed-out in roleplaying games since early days of Fallout.
I might remember this wrong, but I got the impression than Larian has even provided some "red herring" options that are worded in a way that should and does make the check harder - even accounting for someone using that option with their best skill. So always defaulting to your best skill/ability might not always be your best option.
We are conditioned to think of success as the only acceptable outcome, both by binary design and likely by a bit of a hero complex that these types of games promote. I believed the example I mentioned about the illithid sucking your brain dry "break that up". Let me break that down for you in more detail:
1. Chance to kill illithid even before conversation, you are given loads of clues as to what is going on and don't need to put your arm into the crocodile's mouth so to speak. Most people do of course because they are used to being cuddled even against their own stupidity. Like jumping down the gaping black hole w/o Feather Fall and arriving dead on the scene in Underdark (statistics revealed over 40% of players did this). Gravity can be a bitch lol.
2. Chance to succeed multiple checks to avoid "perceived failure".
3. Even with what would be "catastrophic failure"/game over in any other game, you are instead rewarded with a challenging and interesting combat, and experience you don't otherwise get.
This game design is the staple of the game (though there are certainly exceptions as there should be), but I suspect you being so triggered by perceived failure means a hefty amount of confirmation bias on your part. All the other mechanics also work to limit the bad-RNG, several companions who can be used and built to limit any weaknesses etc, etc.
I would suggest there probably will be implemented a difficulty setting with optional easier skill checks, but I suspect your ego couldn't live with playing at lower difficulties too...am I rite?
