Explain INT and Reflex, Please

[andarilhor]

Indeed. But this could justify such bonuses to AC. It isn't about reacting to the attack, but anticipating it and planning a defense before the attack is even launched.

A man with a 25 DX is attacked by 3 ninjas. A Matrix sequel breaks out.

A man with a 25 IQ is attacked by 3 ninjas. He seems to stumble around, being incredibly lucky, but he has calculated every move like a Chess Master, and he knows where his foe will strike before his foe does, and reacts accordingly.

Jackie Chan has 25 IQ!?!?!?!?!?!

 

[Arakim]

Jackie Chan has 25 IQ!?!?!?!?!?!

Maybe not, but his choreographer does.

 

[andarilhor]

Maybe not, but his choreographer does.

You just got a cookie point!

 

[WhatGravitas]

They could have made Wis the Reflex defence ability (dodging by insight aka Sensei-dodging) - but then, we would have Int to Will.

Instead, we just get high-Int senseis (until we see a monk class).

Cheers, LT.

 

[Exen Trik]

One is quick acting, the other is quick thinking. Doesn't need to be any more complicated than that.

 

[Danzauker]

I'd say that most examples aren't really examples of intelligence as much as they are either quick thinking or observational and analytical skills. I guess you could say that's a part of "Intelligence" as it relates to the game, but it's not a part of what intelligence is in real life.

Yes, but in D&D basic attributes span much more than in "real life". After all, we're condensing a person in just 6 numerical values.

Same for DEX, for example. High DEX makes you better at firing arrows and tumbling.

I bet there are a lot of good sharpshooters in the world that are awful dancers, yet in D&D the two characteristics are bound together...

 

[lukelightning]

I bet there are a lot of good sharpshooters in the world that are awful dancers, yet in D&D the two characteristics are bound together...

I dunno, I wouldn't be criticizing a sharpshooter's dance steps.

Darn it, now I'm making intimidate tied into dexterity too!

 

[D.Shaffer]

In this situation, I think back to the old (and it pains me to say that, has it really been 15+ years?) B:TAS show. The Clock King, IMO, is a good example of Int adding to your REF/AC.

"I know that it takes you exactly one tenth of a second to throw a punch. "

 

[Gort]

IQ

You keep using that word, but I do not think it means what you think it means.

(someone with a 25 IQ has a quarter of the IQ of the average person)

 

[Regicide]

There are plenty of examples in the past where WotC have used Int for defence and nobody has batted an eyelid, so why not bring it into the core rules?

It's interesting when a particular character can do it, like a factotum. It's a lack of creativity when everyone can.