This is a key point. The max ability score for EVERY race through ASIs is 20. If my level 12 gnome can train hard to get 20 strength, exactly the same as a level 12 orc, then why can't my gnome start out with 16 STR? Backstory of intensive training or steroids or whatever
Indeed. All the strength bonus does is let the Goliath max strength sooner and enjoy their feats for a larger chunk of the game than the gnome, which is a pretty crap deal for the gnome player who might not even get all their feats before the campaign ends because they need one more ASI.
The realism argument falls through pretty fast. It doesn't add realism, it just makes the gnome's game worse.
