D&D General Warlocks: Charisma vs Intelligence

[Seramus]

I personally don't think narratives MUST be tied to a specific class. For example, I strongly believe a backstory about a god granting you power could be expressed though Cleric, Paladin, Warlock, or a few other options. At no point do I say "No, that can only be a Cleric. No Warlocks allowed."

The narrative of an occult researcher can easily be expressed (to me) through the mechanics of a Wizard, Warlock, Arcana Cleric, Arcane Tricksters, etc.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I personally don't think narratives MUST be tied to a specific class. For example, I strongly believe a backstory about a god granting you power could be expressed though Cleric, Paladin, Warlock, or a few other options. At no point do I say "No, that can only be a Cleric. No Warlocks allowed."

Interesting. What would you put in the class description of each then, if any of them could tell the same narrative?

 

[abirdcall]

No, I'd say they're charming an arch fey. CHA 16 is a heroic level of charm, a level of attention-getting that most people aren't capable of. Enough for an arch fey to notice them, to have them stand out of the crowd. Enough so that when the warlock reaches out to form a pact, the creature is curious, engaged, and willing.

Warlock magic comes from their relationships with others.

I think we are using that word differently.

I don't think the arch fey is going to be enthralled by the character. They might stand out in a crowd as a curiosity but then the fey is going to charm them and trick them into giving a lot for very little.

A character with high intelligence will learn what the arch fey values and also how to enter a contract without their gift going up in fairy smoke.

 

[Seramus]

Interesting. What would you put in the class description of each then, if any of them could tell the same narrative?

The descriptions are mostly fine as is, since they describe the most common kinds of people who end up in those classes. The bell curve of class : personalities so to speak! I just keep in mind the "Not All" rule of thumb. Not all furious fighters are barbarians. Not all sneaking pickpockets are rogues. Etc.

 

[Gorck]

Charisma is the obvious choice to me. Warlocks get their power from making a Pact with a higher being. Using their Charisma is how they beg/plead/persuade said higher power to make that Pact.

 

[I'm A Banana]

I think we are using that word differently.

I don't think the arch fey is going to be enthralled by the character. They might stand out in a crowd as a curiosity but then the fey is going to charm them and trick them into giving a lot for very little.

A character with high intelligence will learn what the arch fey values and also how to enter a contract without their gift going up in fairy smoke.

Part of the fun of playing a warlock is playing someone whose gift might go up in fairy smoke (or whose dark magic might cost them their soul, or whose alien insight might lead to madness).

A warlock likely is giving up a lot for very little, in a classic Faustian sense. It's pretty fun to play a character who does that anyway, who makes the best use of their unfortunate situation.

A warlock has a patron. That's their source of power - somebody else. A relationship. That's a big part of their appeal, I think!

 

[abirdcall]

I am with you on that, but how do they get to that point.

A character with high intelligence is going to know how to offer hospitality to the fey without offending them.

They might even learn a true name.

They are also going to know how to ward them (eg. bring a bell) which will allow them to form the pact on not entirely unfavourable terms.

I just see the character with the high charisma being led into the forest never to be seen again.

 

[cbwjm]

Part of the fun of playing a warlock is playing someone whose gift might go up in fairy smoke (or whose dark magic might cost them their soul, or whose alien insight might lead to madness).

A warlock likely is giving up a lot for very little, in a classic Faustian sense. It's pretty fun to play a character who does that anyway, who makes the best use of their unfortunate situation.

A warlock has a patron. That's their source of power - somebody else. A relationship. That's a big part of their appeal, I think!

You'd think it would be, but I'm not sure it's common for that to really be delved too deeply into. No matter who a warlock makes a pact with, it's often a very limited background with little impact on play; no madness, no lost soul, no loss of the granted power.

 

[CreamCloud0]

You'd think it would be, but I'm not sure it's common for that to really be delved too deeply into. No matter who a warlock makes a pact with, it's often a very limited background with little impact on play; no madness, no lost soul, no loss of the granted power.

CHA is the stat associated with persuasion and deception, if 16 INT is smart enough to ward against a patron then 16 CHA is suave enough to smooth-talk them.
Edit: replied to the wrong message, meant to reply to @ad_hoc above

 

[CreamCloud0]

@ad_hoc see reply above.