Why is it that in so many RPGs (D&D 3.X/Pathfinder, D&D

Nope, because replacing attributes is inherently a method of minimizing the number of points needed for a given result, and very few systems have useless stats.

Especially because the intent of such abilities is generally to allow a PC or NPC to be more viable as a combat-effective character when their build relies on multiple stats.

I think they're fine. Sure, they can be used to minmax, but if you try to avoid that altogether you'll end up designing boring, uninteresting systems. What's important is to give the replacement abilities interesting fluff and logical limitations, as well as making them relatively expensive to buy into.

Legends of the Wulin, for instance, has a special ability for Priests to let them use Wu Wei (mystic perception and intuition, sort of. It's a very broad and complex concept) in the place of Might for all purposes, with the fluff of them using mystical telekinesis, but it's pretty expensive to buy into and has its own downsides and restrictions compared to someone who is just fucking strong.

Well, most attribute replacement subsystems use some sort of constraint or condition on the substitution, which creates a high degree of specialization - the classic example being something like 3.x's Weapon Finesse, allowing you to substitute dexterity for strength when using a specifically defined list of weapons.

If nothing ever comes up in the game to negate the condition it's nothing more than a min-max feature; but if the game possibly features places where that condition can be nulled (ex. the fencer loses his dueling sword and needs to fight with a club), then the substitution ability is a form of specialization with a disadvantage.

>>50153003
Pathfinder is a much bigger offender with how it lets Intelligence obsolete Charisma.

>>50153200

All the better to improve on the underpowered Wizard class.

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>>50154717