Stat distribution

Stats in DDO in General
With the exception of Sorcerers and Wizards, never have an 18 in a stat before racial modifiers. 18 uses 16 of your 28 points. A 16 in a stat (before racial modifiers) is 10 points. So 18 in a stat could also be a 16 in one stat and a 14 in another stat.

Typically if a character has an 18 in a stat, it means that multiple stats are at 8 or less. This is particularly true for Warforged Fighters (yes, those *explicitive deleted* players that make Warforged Fighters with 6 Wisdom). So what if you have 18 Strength if you are fascinated locked by a hypnotic pattern? I have a Paladin with a +13 Will Save and I get hit by Hold Persons! I can't imagine playing past level 3 with a Will Save 6 lower (from Wis 12 with +3 Divine Grace to Wis 6).

As an example, I will point to what I like to call the "poke ranger." Elf Ranger with Str 8, Dex 20, Con 12, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 8. Now this player also had some dex buff enhancements and gear, for a total Dex of 23 (Elf Dex and Ranger Dex) or 26 with Cat's Grace. Now I ask "What is the difference between Dex 21 and 23? +1 to ranged attacks, +1 to AC, +1 Ref saves, and +1 to hide/move silently?" As I said above that 18 pre race could've been a 16 and a 14 in another stat. For a Ranger with a bow, that is a net difference of 3 damage per shot.

Weapon Finesse doesn't even save that character. So what if you have a 21, 23, or 26 in your attack stat if you are only doing 1d6-1+magic damage?

Why this doesn't apply to Sorcerers and Wizards
Sorcerers and Wizards use their caster stat for attacking. They don't need Strength (except for carrying capacity).

Why Clerics aren't exempt from the no 18 rule
There is a lot expected of Clerics. They expected to be able to heal, turn, and have enough AC so that when they are attacked not all of them will hit. Maybe they are also expected to have ranks in Heal and Concentration. Maybe Diplomacy too. That means Int 10 for a Human or 12 for another race. Maybe Diplomacy could remove the need for Concentration though (but why take that risk)?

So far... Human: Str 12, Dex 8, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 14

32 Point Unlock
What does 4 extra points mean? Typically it means you have another 16 instead of a 14. Or it might mean another 12 instead of an 8.

For example, if you have a 32 pt Paladin, you could easily start with (human) Str 16, Dex 10, Con 12, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 16