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

[jasin]

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.

If you feel the very assumptions behind your question will need to be defended, and you can't defend them, maybe there is no correct answer because you're asking the wrong question?

 

[ImperatorK]

If you feel the very assumptions behind your question will need to be defended

No, I don't think that. But I'm sure there will be someone who will attack them, just like you are now attacking my refusal to state them.

and you can't defend them

Where did you get that from? I don't want to defend them, because I'm not interested in defending them.

maybe there is no correct answer because you're asking the wrong question

Nah. I'm interested only in what I'm asking, so it's the correct question.

 

[jasin]

Nah. I'm interested only in what I'm asking, so it's the correct question.

Don't expect many answers you'd find useful.

 

[tylermalan]

This thread is hilarious!

 

[N'raac]

How about this:

1-2 = INT
3-4 = WIS
5-6 = CHA

You are considering all three. We have no idea what your purpose in implementing this varied rule is, so we have no basis to decide what would fit best, either mechanically or thematically. You clearly want one of the three - no variations or permutations of that concept. So grab yourself 1d6, roll it and apply the chart above, since you're not prepared to give us any information to allow us to do much more than provide a random selection anyway.

Adding it to CHA would give that stat more general relevance, so that's the way I would lean in a complete vacuum, but the game doesn't play in a complete vacuum. Adding it to CHA will mean more powerful sorcerers, oracles, paladins and bards in comparison to other classes, among other likely ripple effects, but since any such ripple effects are of no interest to you, just pick a stat and hope for the best.

 

[Sepulchrave II]

Consider, for a moment, that you would like to introduce bonus action points based upon a mental ability score to your game. Don't worry about the balance implications just yet, as there are other houserules in play which make that rather complicated to explain. From a purely thematic or aesthetic perspective, which ability score do you think best fits the idea of gaining extra action points - much in the same way as Dexterity grants a bonus to initiative, or Constitution to hit points. Would it be Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma? Why do you think that mental ability score is the best fit?

I think that if you'd framed the question like this, and been less confrontational in your approach, you might have received a more positive response.

 

[Lord Mhoram]

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.

For the stated purpose - which is which one is best. But answering which is best takes other information provided.

It's like trying to solve for X when a Y and Z are in the equation - it can't be done because we have incomplete data.
Why once choice would be better than another depends on a lot of factors, like tone and what you are trying to accomplish with this choice. N'raac's post really covered that.

In my mind there is not a single choice between the three mental stats that would be better for your purposes in every situation in every game.

Personally I'd average the three.

 

[amerigoV]

Comeliness. Hawt people get more Action.

 

[Sunseeker]

Comeliness. Hawt people get more Action.

YES! The ever elusive "seventh stat" needs to come back just for this very reason!

 

[Ebony Dragon]

As the title says. Which mental stat would be best for bonus APs and why?

"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.

I used Charisma as the stat that determined action points for my game. I called them "Fate Points".

I also made sure the scaling of them was done in such a way as to not overly benefit Sorcerers. If you just do something like "Ability modifier equals bonus Fate Points" then the Sorcerer with a 26+ Cha will blow everyone else out of the water. I didn't want the difference between characters to be so huge.

Fate Points:
Fate points will be used with function similar to what is listed on page 45 of the Eberron Campaign Setting but with some notable tweaking.
Charisma will be the primary stat used to determine how many fate points a character gets. This only uses your inherent charisma, much like the skill bonus from INT only uses your inherent intelligence. Thus, a Cloak of Charisma won't give you more Fate Points. These points refresh each time the character gains a new level.

Charisma Score: Fate Points/lvl
1-8: 2
9-10: 3
11-14: 4
15+: 5