TaranTheWanderer
Legend
For me, Intelligence isn't necessarily a key stat in combat. Experienced creatures whose lives depend on it (pretty much any that have lived long enough to challenge PCs), will fight effectively.
As an aside, a house rule I have also, is that creatures in a fully magical world usually have some rudimentary understanding or sense for it, just as they can guess the shining, sharp end of a spear is probably dangerous.
To be more clear, I was using 'Intelligence' as a general term and not the Stat. Wolves use tactics and wear down prey then surround the prey and take it down. They have an awareness of self-preservation. Depending on how desperate or hungry they are, they might take more chances - like a starving lone wolf might be more reckless.
A zombie, on the other hand, which has the same INT score as a wolf, aren't traditionally or typically known for their superior tactics or self-preservation.
[MENTION=28301]smbakeresq[/MENTION] "I think ability to access a situational would rely more on cunning and awareness, which is related to wisdom IMO. "
If I were to have to pick a stat, I'd agree with this, I think. Most animals, including insect-like creatures have a wisdom around 13 while zombies have a wisdom of 6. But, in general, I don't go by stats.
Comparing the two stats reminds me of how I've heard the difference between Wisdom and Intelligence explained to new players:
Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is knowing not to put a tomato in fruit salad.