D&D 5E What If Ranged Wpn Attacks Used Wisdom?

[doctorbadwolf]

So, wisdom basically is perception, and you aim with your senses as much as anything else, if not more so.

Then Dex would just be initiative, melee finesse weapons, Dex saves, Dex skills, and AC. Still a very strong stat, but a significant drop in power.

Wisdom would then be saves, ranged weapon attacks (and damage) and wisdom skills.

tbh initiative could be Int, instead, as well.

anything I’m missing?

 

[Helpful NPC Thom]

I think making ranged attacks utilize Wisdom is a swell idea, and it's one I've toyed with quite a bit. Dexterity is useful enough.

 

[BookTenTiger]

That's what I did for firearms in a 5e Western game I ran. It worked well!

 

[prabe]

Maybe you could leave Dex for thrown weapons and use Wisdom for ammo weapons? They're different enough, that kinda makes sense if you look at it right.

I don't dislike it. It makes ranged specialists a little more MAD, which could be good or bad, depending.

 

[aco175]

Sounds like 4e where your class determined what ability you used. I am a mage and use Intelligence- I should be smart enough to know where the bad guy will be to hit him better. I'm a cleric, so I know when we are about to enter hostile negotiations- so I should use Wisdom for initiative.

I kind of think there should be just one. If it is Wisdom, then fine but rogues get Intelligence instead of Wisdom, but rangers get Wisdom so whatever I guess.

 

[Oofta]

I think the same case could be made for most other ability scores as well. Strength: you need a heavy draw weight in order to punch through armor. Constitution: you're typically firing multiple times and you need to carefully center and hold your breath. Intelligence: you analyze the speed of the wind, the possible trajectory, the movement pattern of your target. Charisma: umm ... you ask the arrow to pretty please hit the target?

More seriously - I really do think strength or intelligence would also make sense but for the most part I just wanted to make the joke about charisma. I don't see a need for it, I don't think it's a bad thing.

 

[TwoSix]

Fits the trope pretty well, I think. Barring my preferred change of getting rid of +hit from stats entirely, I think it's a solid change.

 

[billd91]

I'd be more inclined to use Intelligence, personally, and sort of re-envision it as Acuity. While Wisdom does drive perception, it's a broad-based awareness while Intelligence drives Investigation - a more precise focus.
Plus, it helps keep Wisdom from becoming too strong a stat since it's used in so many saving throws.

 

[Baron Opal II]

I saw the title and I immediately thought "use the Force, Luke!"
Correct me if I'm wrong, but while Perception is usually driven by Wisdom Investigation is driven by Intelligence. If you are focused on a distant target trying to discern weak points or foil evasion, that could be more observation based than intuition. Although if intuition is more appropriate than I concur with Wisdom.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

That's what I did for firearms in a 5e Western game I ran. It worked well!

“I do not shoot with my hand. He who shoots with his hand has forgotten the face of his father. I shoot with my mind.”