Whats the point of attribute stats?

[Lilyarel]

Does anyone actively change them around on a daily basis? And even then does it make a big difference?

[Gilraen]

I haven't changed my stats since 1.0. No, seriously, it's been the same spread (or lack thereof, I dumped it all into a single stat pertinent to the class in question) since I started playing. Generally speaking, there's not much reason to reset your stats even once unless you're into experimentation. It can make a difference, but the impact isn't huge unless you go all in on one stat.

[Amatsuhira]

I haven't changed my stats since 1.0. No, seriously, it's been the same spread (or lack thereof, I dumped it all into a single stat pertinent to the class in question) since I started playing. Generally speaking, there's not much reason to reset your stats even once unless you're into experimentation. It can make a difference, but the impact isn't huge unless you go all in on one stat.

Same here, lol! I just wish i had all those resistance points back to stack for primals again!

[synesthetic]

Aside from your primary damage stat and VIT, and PIE for specific builds, they don't matter.

30 points into a damage stat is pretty big for a DPS. 30 points into MND for a healer.. doesn't matter so much for healing, but does matter for DPSing in Cleric Stance.
VIT can be really important for endgame progression.

[Callinon]

They matter for exactly 2 classes: WAR and SMN/SCH.

WAR, at a certain gear level, benefits more from having 30 more STR than it does having 30 more VIT.

SMN and SCH just get the hose since they both share the ACN class and therefore the ACN class' bonus stat allocation despite the two jobs requiring different stat priorities.

It's a ridiculous system. The only option it opens up to players is the chance to do something wrong.

[Atmora]

They matter for exactly 2 classes: WAR and SMN/SCH.

WAR, at a certain gear level, benefits more from having 30 more STR than it does having 30 more VIT.

SMN and SCH just get the hose since they both share the ACN class and therefore the ACN class' bonus stat allocation despite the two jobs requiring different stat priorities.

It's a ridiculous system. The only option it opens up to players is the chance to do something wrong.

I think it matters a ton for BLM.

[Callinon]

I think it matters a ton for BLM.

I know sometimes BLM will put in a single point of PIE to meet an mp threshold (unless Dunesfolk master race), but even this isn't really a big deal.

Even a talent tree system has the same problem, though the illusion of choice is more convincing, it's still an illusion. You still have the choice to choose the optimal build, or choose to do it wrong. Sometimes you have two or three points to put wherever you want, but this is generally because the choices remaining to you have little to no impact on your performance.

The system that WoW transitioned to in MoP, or the system that SWTOR is using now seem much better in this regard. WoW's system has you choosing between 3 similar choices per talent tier. There's always going to be a mathematically "best" choice, but usually the difference is so slight that your playstyle gets to make the final call, which is how it should work. SWTOR's system just has you picking utility modifications like "When I charge, I'm immune to knockbacks for 4 seconds." That sort of thing.

[Nutz]

I know sometimes BLM will put in a single point of PIE to meet an mp threshold (unless Dunesfolk master race), but even this isn't really a big deal.

Even a talent tree system has the same problem, though the illusion of choice is more convincing, it's still an illusion. You still have the choice to choose the optimal build, or choose to do it wrong. Sometimes you have two or three points to put wherever you want, but this is generally because the choices remaining to you have little to no impact on your performance.

While this is almost always true, there are games that do this correctly (though I'm not sure if there are any in this genre). Path of Exile comes to mind with an enormous multitude of useful builds. Sure, there probably is a mathematically correct build, and that game's system is aided by dynamically generated equipment that will alter your stats (the very opposite of the terribly static offerings we have here), but with enough variety and finesse you could create a talent tree (or tumble weed) that offered a lot of customization without a singular standout winner.

The problem is that it's exceptionally difficult to design lots of alternate skills/ abilities/ stats that are so close to parity without being almost literally the same, that most developers don't try.

[Chambers]

When I play a tank in pvp I switch from vit to str.

It's a noticeable difference.

[Mahri]

To show who are bad and good tanks, of course.

(spoiler: good tanks always STR)