No one is going to be confused by this discussion, DSM. I feel you're just trying to tell people (politely) to shut up because they have a different perspective (which is bound to happen - we all play our own styles).
What evidence do we need that increased strength reduces encumbrance, or that being able to carry more will help the character to earn loot and gear up?
What evidence do we need, besides multiple 60 magelos, that show even after years of gearing Sta is difficult to cap (needing PE, or even upgrades to what is already top tier gear)?
What evidence do we need to demonstrate that that in our value judgement a 4% DPS boost is worth while for 60 levels?
You're asking for evidence for things that are basic facts of the game, have already been demonstrated, or are situational / value judgements.
I like looking at Magelos, because they are real world examples of character sheets. We can theory quest the best builds, but it is more realistic to look at set ups people actually use.
I looked at my own 52 SK, Nareik (blue). On Magelo his gear weighs in at 90 (admittedly the clicky stuff would usually be kept in WR bags, which mag doesn't account for, but that is (tens) of thousands of pp investment essentially just to increase my carry strength by a couple of dozen). Thats one squished iksar from the get-go (okay, they'd be unlikely to have inventoried BE stuff and could avoid the cheap but heavy items).
For newbie characters (I'm talking up to a few 100pp budget) a set of banded and a weapon weights about 60. Adding in a few backpacks, medicine bags, tool kits, whatever, 8 stacks of bandages, food, drink, (potions if you burn cash like me) a tank is going to be encumbered practically the start of every adventure.
If you want to argue to protect the newbies, this is the kind of set up you want to consider. 20str is going to help them all the way up to 60, and even after hitting 60 it is going to help them when focus/me/avatar get dispelled or debuffs lands. All +int will do is give them the smarts to have the epiphany that their bonus starting stats didn't do much help for 59 levels!
Honestly, my favourite part of STR is just the carry 24/7 capacity and improved resilience to cripple/incapacitate spells (they really fuck you up, especially if your tank gets encumbered / agi reduced to below 75).
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