Ability scores appear to reduce damage.

I did a character re-spec of my Rogue. During the process, I did some testing and noticed my dps was a little bit lower after putting points into my ability scores. I verified buffs before testing, both sets had Swordman's Perk and Vulnerability. I was also using a Bulette pup for both tests. Campaign boons were not spent, but stronghold boons set (same for both test). Lastly, I didn't have a weapon enchantment.

Below are the steps and results.

1. Setup my Mounts
2. Setup Companions.
3. Tested dps by attacking a test dummy using only Assassinate while in stealth.
---test results---
[Combat (Self)]Your Assassinate deals 80180 (174232) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Critical Hit! Your Assassinate deals 126935 (275831) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Your Assassinate deals 116154 (174232) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Your Assassinate deals 80180 (174232) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Critical Hit! Your Assassinate deals 183887 (275831) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Your Assassinate deals 80180 (174232) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Your Assassinate deals 80180 (174232) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Still recharging..
[Combat (Self)]Critical Hit! Your Assassinate deals 126935 (275831) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Your Assassinate deals 80180 (174232) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Critical Hit! Your Assassinate deals 126935 (275831) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Your Assassinate deals 116154 (174232) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Your Assassinate deals 80180 (174232) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Critical Hit! Your Assassinate deals 183887 (275831) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Critical Hit! Your Assassinate deals 126935 (275831) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
---end of test results---

4. Set my ability scores. Only put points in STR and DEX.

5. Tested dps by attacking a test dummy using only Assassinate while in stealth.
---test results---
[Combat (Self)]Your Assassinate deals 77737 (168924) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Still recharging..
[Combat (Self)]Your Assassinate deals 77737 (168924) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Critical Hit! Your Assassinate deals 126178 (274185) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Your Assassinate deals 77737 (168924) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Still recharging..
[Combat (Self)]Your Assassinate deals 77737 (168924) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Critical Hit! Your Assassinate deals 126178 (274185) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Critical Hit! Your Assassinate deals 182790 (274185) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Critical Hit! Your Assassinate deals 126178 (274185) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Your Assassinate deals 112616 (168924) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Critical Hit! Your Assassinate deals 126178 (274185) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Your Assassinate deals 77737 (168924) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Your Assassinate deals 77737 (168924) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Your Assassinate deals 112616 (168924) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
[Combat (Self)]Your Assassinate deals 77737 (168924) Physical Damage to Target Dummy
---end of test results---

This was a bit shocking to me as STR should be adding a physical damage boost and DEX should be adding Crit Severity.