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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Thornir Alekeg" data-source="post: 1675943" data-attributes="member: 15651">It is untrue. I expect that a player with a low intelligence character will not necessarily have to make tactical mistakes.  You can have different kinds of intelligence and with the whole survival of the fittest, I'd say that a low Int character can hold his or her own in combat, or the character never would have made it that far.  Where I would make the distinction is I would expect the player to play the character in a more instinctual manner.  The character would be very poor and explaining tactics to others and directing others in combat, but would be allowed to see a great opportunity and take it - just not understanding why it is so smart.  I also expect low Int characters to not be the first to jump in solving puzzles and complex problems.  If the player has figured out the solution, I expect him to wait for a while and if the smart characters have not figured it out, the player can have his character suddenly say "Isn't the answer 42?" or whatever is appropriate.  When quizzed by his fellows he cannot explain it, he just thinks for some reason it is the right answer.  Getting back to the original topic of a high Int character, my expectations are similar to the low Int characters.  High Int (and while a 19 is high, I am of the opinion it is not anywhere near a super-intelligence) does not mean you would not make a tactical error, especially in combat.  The character is not omniscient so if the player does not ask for a skill check or something, for the most part they make their own mistakes.  One exception to that rule is if the situation is one very similar to something they have seen before, but the players don't remember.  In that case I might DM intervene by calling for an Int check and if they make a decent roll, remind the player of the previous incident.</blockquote>

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