Yaarel
He Mage
The elegance of the core engine affects everything. 4e did much to begin the consolidation of the ability scores.
Two principles guide the assessment of the core engine.
The ability scores work well when thematic and narratively intuitive. So that themes that naturally go together utilize the same score. Without ambiguity during narrative resolution.
The ability scores are mechanically useful and equal in power. So each ability score can benefit the player who chooses to invest in it.
4e reduced the ability scores to a 3+ consolidation.
The somewhat loose-ended threesome achieved the goal of mechanical balance.
In my experience, the four ability scores are most salient and evenly balanced solution. But perhaps there are other solutions too.
Essentially, the consolidation of mental scores:
• Wisdom splits into two, granting its Perception to Intelligence, and its Will to Charisma.
Thematically, Charisma becomes *the* social ability score, including empathic insight.
Intelligence becomes the rational ability score, including observational skills, and sensitivity to detail.
Two principles guide the assessment of the core engine.
The ability scores work well when thematic and narratively intuitive. So that themes that naturally go together utilize the same score. Without ambiguity during narrative resolution.
The ability scores are mechanically useful and equal in power. So each ability score can benefit the player who chooses to invest in it.
4e reduced the ability scores to a 3+ consolidation.
The somewhat loose-ended threesome achieved the goal of mechanical balance.
In my experience, the four ability scores are most salient and evenly balanced solution. But perhaps there are other solutions too.
Essentially, the consolidation of mental scores:
• Wisdom splits into two, granting its Perception to Intelligence, and its Will to Charisma.
Thematically, Charisma becomes *the* social ability score, including empathic insight.
Intelligence becomes the rational ability score, including observational skills, and sensitivity to detail.