Charisma for Clerics

[fjw70]

I would really like to see charisma replace wisdom as the cleric's magic ability stat and wisdom become strictly perception. I know this isn't going to happen in Next, but I atleast would like to see charisma as an optional stat for clerics.

 

[DEFCON 1]

CHA has been used by clerics in the past (Turn Undead usually used it) so I wouldn't be surprised if a clerical ability or two eventually uses the CHA mod for some of its numbers.

WIS will probably always be the primary magic ability for clerics, but CHA might be a strong secondary. CHA will have to remain the province of the Bard and Paladin's magical ability.

 

[MoonSong]

And sorcerers don't forget the sorcerers...

 

[Howndawg]

Charisma as the prime stat for clerics gets a definite "no" from me. I see charisma fitting some archetypes, but for others, like cloistered clerics, wisdom fits much better.

 

[gyor]

I like that they dumped most of the clerics MAD. Unfortunately if you want to use weapons strength or dex is still nessassary stat.

Still as a feature of the love or Passion domain I'd have charisma replace wisdom as both you magic spells stat and for channel divinity. Most Clerics connect with there Gods by opening up there spiritual perceptions up to there Gods, Love/Passion Clerics connect by simply opening themselves up there emotions which are an echo of thier Gods essence. Just an idea for a compromise.

 

[Ahnehnois]

I see charisma fitting some archetypes, but for others, like cloistered clerics, wisdom fits much better.

This seems strange to me. I have trouble understanding the D&D warrior priest as a particularly wise figure. It seems like his job is to bash the unbelievers, heal the allies, or some combination of the above. If anything, I think the cleric that is perceptive, grounded, and offers wise counsel is something of an aberration in the D&D lexicon. Charisma does make some sense.

That being said, mechanically, the more MAD casters have, and the less their ability scores affect their magic, the better.

 

[am181d]

Charisma. From the Greek khakis a, meaning "favor, divine gift." An excellent idea.

 

[BobTheNob]

Funnily enough, if you look at what DCC did with it, they rolled Wisdom and Charisma into a single stat called Personality (I think thats what it was), and that stat was the prime for the cleric.

To be honest, I have had the self same thought many many times for so many reasons.

However, as much as I agree with you, this is still D&D and I think there is a snowballs chance in hell of that happening.

 

[jadrax]

I would really like to see charisma replace wisdom as the cleric's magic ability stat and wisdom become strictly perception. I know this isn't going to happen in Next, but I atleast would like to see charisma as an optional stat for clerics.

I don't mind Clerics using Wisdom as their spell casting Ability, but I would like to see Charisma becoming the basic Ability for Will type saves.

 

[Draloric]

I too would like to see Charisma be more important for clerics than Wisdom, despite the long history the game has had with Wisdom being associate with the divine. Charisma seem more appropriate as a rating of a character's connection/favour with the gods/cosmic powers, and this concords with the etymological sense of the world. The idea that Charisma is "personal charm" or "social presence" is a much more 20th-century usage, which is ultimately a modern, secular outgrowth of the original sense. Maybee both of these ideas can be stressed simultaneously. What I'm not too thrilled with is the idea that Charisma can be used to resist fear and charm-based effects. Personally, I see those things as assaults on a cahracter's rational mind/active consciousness. Thus, they seem like they should be resisted by Intelligence to me.