Pathfinder 1E [3.P] Int, Wis or Cha for bonus Action Points?

How about the lowest overall stat then? Reward the non-dumpers.

I don't think you understand. This is a general houserule for all of my future games, not something I'm giving to a specific player or class. So I can't make the decision based on what stat is lowest/highest or what classes my players use because the rule is made regardless of that, in a vacuum.

That's is not what this thread is about.

Clarifications for future: "None" is not an option. Stats other than Int, Wis or Cha are also not options. What classes or what build is used is also irrelevant, because this houserule is made regardless of that, in a vacuum, for future games, not as a custom rule for a specific group.

If you pick just one of the three stats, which will always provide bonus AP's, that stat becomes much more useful to all classes.

You therefore hand a significant advantage over to classes which already benefit from having a high stat in that attribute. Since you are focused on mental stats, casters will automatically have an advantage. If you select INT, then Wizards, Witches and Alchemists benefit. If you select WIS, this will be great for Clerics. CHA favours Oracles, Sorcerers and Paladins. Classes that don't benefit from the stat you choose will be disadvantages, either forced to devote stat resources to that characteristic, or stuck with less AP's since they don't put much in that stat.

So I would modify Billd91's suggestion to either "the lowest of the three mental stats for that specific character" or having all three feed into AP bonuses, given you are determined AP's must be determined by mental stats. Basing the bonus on the lowest of the three, or the average of the three, will avoid giving a huge advantage to classes which already benefit significantly from whichever one of the three you choose.

It's important to recognize that you are adding an incentive to whichever stat you choose. If, for example, INT becomes determinative of AP, expect that Sorcerers will be pretty rare - Wizards and Witches will make much better arcane casters, and Maguses probably become a more common "warrior" choice. Elves and Tieflings become good race choices, especially for rogues who value that DEX bonus anyway.

If you choose WIS, don't expect to see many Oracles - Clerics will have a significant advantage. Gunslingers become an excellent Martial choice, as they benefit from high WIS. Probably Rangers as well. Dwarves become a solid race choice, since they get bonus WIS and CON, two stats every character now needs. That will further demotivate CHA-based casters, since that's the Dwarven penalty.

Pick CHA and you'll see a lot more Oracles and Sorcerers, with Paladins becoming an excellent Martial choice. Dwarves become much less frequent, but expect more Gnomes and Halflings, especially as casters who don't need much in the way of STR.

I think you're approaching this the wrong way. It seems like you've already decided you want to pick one of INT, WIS or CHA (ie you aren't open to having all three be relevant, or using a "lower of" or "middle of" the three approach. That means whatever choice you make will favour some classes, races and builds, and provide a disincentive to others. With that in mind, I suggest the question is which stat you want to push the players toward, and which one(s) you want to push them away from. For example, if you want to see more interaction-focused characters, more small characters, less Dwarves and less wizards, witches and clerics, choose CHA. Assess which character builds are advantaged by, or disadvantaged by, each stat, and select the one that provides advantages to the kinds of characters you want to be more prevalent in your game, and the greatest drawbacks to the characters you'd like to see less of.
 

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I've used Charisma for this purpose for a long time. From a mechanical perspective, it's a very nice way of introducing value to the stat, especially for melee characters that tend to dump it (in complete contrast to our mental images of heroic warriors leading the charge). To me, it makes a lot of sense that charismatic people are "clutch"; that they can give that little extra push that gets them through an adverse situation.

Or, to put it another way:
[video=youtube;rsIpdCo2SIM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsIpdCo2SIM[/video]
 

That's is not what this thread is about.

Clarifications for future: "None" is not an option. Stats other than Int, Wis or Cha are also not options. What classes or what build is used is also irrelevant, because this houserule is made regardless of that, in a vacuum, for future games, not as a custom rule for a specific group.

And nothing we've suggested have anything to do with any players, but you should consider the other rules and how they interact. If you choose Intelligence, what characters benefit most? Wizards and related classes. Do they need a further boost? Not really. How about Wisdom? Do druids and clerics and related classes need the boost? No. If you choose Charisma, do bards, sorcerers, and paladins need the boost? Bards getting it won't be much of a problem, maybe.

But, in general, since this house rule benefits mental stat characters, it benefits casters more than martial characters. DO THEY NEED IT? Do they need the relative benefit? Is that what you want this rule to provide? Should the action point mechanic vary based on stats? I wouldn't want something like this in my game so my first recommendation was none.
 

I'm only interested which one of the three is better for the stated purpose. NOTHING ELSE.
As a reminder: "None" is not an option. Stats other than Int, Wis or Cha are also not options. What classes or what build is used is also irrelevant, because this houserule is made regardless of that, in a vacuum, for future games. You have to pick one. I'm not interested in opinions about the houserule itself.
 
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This thread has no discussion value, you clearly don't really want our input on it. Just pick one.
 

And if none of them are better for the stated purpose?
That is irrelevant to this thread.

This thread has no discussion value, you clearly don't really want our input on it. Just pick one.
I want imput on the question I asked under the stated parameters. You simply don't want to give an answer I seek. I'm not forcing you, but then I'm wondering why do you see the need to post if you don't have anything relevant to say. I would understand if I would ask "Int, Wis or Cha?" and then stated that I think it's Cha and argued with anyone who didn't think it's Cha. BUT I'M NOT DOING THAT. I'm asking "Int, Wis or Cha?" and stated clearly that I'm expecting the answer to be either "Int because blah blah" or "Wis becasue blah blah" or "Cha because blah blah" and only those answers interest me. Is it really too much to ask for to expect answers that are actually relevant to me? Seriously?
If you don't agree with the houserule then that's fine but it really doesn't interest me, you're wasting your and my time writing unnecessary posts and aren't being helpful. So please, just stop, I don't want to make enemies with everybody for stupid reasons.
 
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Well something to answer your question:

Despite not fully understanding the purpose of this houserule ...yada yada... the one I would pick would be charisma over int and wis. Why? well the first one is thematical, breaking your regular limits by sheer force of will makes a lot of sense. Second, it gives more uses for charisma (Int already feeds into skill points and Wis into perception and the Will save) Third, it gives incentives to play charisamtic fighters, Fourth Cha-based classes already suffer from Mad, whihc Int and Wis based classes do not as much, fifth it is a humble bump to Bards and Rogues, who got the short end of the stick on the transition to Pathfinder
 

Is it really too much to ask for to expect answers that are actually relevant to me?

You seem to have a very specific definition of what is relevant, but you haven't actually explained the reason for the restrictions or anything. If I don't have the basic information, how do I know what is relevant?

"Use the lowest" seems like a pretty direct answer to your question, to me. Why isn't it? If I understand what you're looking for, I might be able to help.



I guess Cha is probably the best... it adds to the least universal things and it's thematically appropriate.
Or at least it might be; why do you want to pick one? What is the theme? Your question suggests you already have one in mind.
 

If I don't have the basic information, how do I know what is relevant?
I already said what is relevant.

"Use the lowest" seems like a pretty direct answer to your question, to me. Why isn't it?
Because it doesn't answer the question, which is "Int, Wis or Cha?" It's not a trick question. It's a simple, straightforward question. "Int, Wis or Cha and why?"
My reasons aren't needed for answering the question and I really don't feel like discussing them because I'm certain it will only evolve into a pointless argument which I'm not interested in.
 

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