dumb and dumber

[alsih2o]

i have heard a few discussion about how to play a character with much greater int or wisdom than the player has. some of them are good, some not, but i wonder how people deal with playing characters that are much dumber than they are, low wis or int.

do you have a decent way to do it?

 

[BiggusGeekus]

The "Caramon & Raistlin" method:

1) Pick someone else in the party

2) Do what they tell you and don't talk much

3) Get massive exp from DM for "excellence in roleplay"

 

[maddman75]

Here's my thoughts on the matter.

Low Int - The character doesn't come up with a lot of ideas himself. He's perfectly capable of giving his thoughts on another's idea, but doesn't tend to put pieces together himself. He's likely to have a lot of prejudices to make the world easier to handle. All dwarves are gruff and love gems, all elves prance in the woods, etc.

Low Wis - This character may get a lot of ideas, but he has difficulty telling a good idea from a bad one. He's also likely to be guillible and easily conned.

The classic combinations here

High Int/Low Wis - This character may be brilliant, but he lacks discretion. He gets a lot of ideas but cannot tell a good one from a bad. This is the inventor that comes up with some fascinating contraptions that sometimes work wonderfully, other times explode.

Low Int/High Wis - This character isn't the brightest bulb, but he knows what's right and who his friends are. He'll listen to the smart folks, but serves as the voice of reason if they want to do something that's just going to turn out bad. This is the farmhand turned swordsman, who never got much book-learning but has a good head on his shoulders.

Low Int/Low Wis - Well, this guy is in trouble . He doesn't come up with ideas, nor can he tell a good one from a bad one. Best to go the Caramon route, and find someone smart and listen to them. This is the typical thug, doing dirty deeds for his boss.

 

[darkbard]

"but i wonder how people deal with playing characters that are much dumber than they are, low wis or int."

pardon me for butting in, alish2o, but shouldn't you be worried about the reverse circumstance? think about it ... you'll get it eventually.


just joshin' of course.

darkbard [self-appointed momentary defender of piratecat]

 

[Mark]

I find it helps to wear your clothes inside out...

 

[Hand of Evil]

Lower, use phases like 'life is like a box of kobolds', 'stupid is as the orc does', 'I can break it'. Attach yourself to the MOST chrismatic character in group.

Higher, work with the DM. You should be the one to know things, the DM should make sure you do! It is your job to let the rest of the party know about it. Pick a few alternate words for common items and use them, book becomes tome or volumn.

 

[KnowTheToe]

Lower - if player is of age, drink a lot before game. Drunkedness is suredly going to come off as stupid to a bunch of sober people.

Higher - Spike the DMs drink, his/her drunkedness will make you seem smarter

 

[Gez]

Lower - if player is of age, drink a lot before game. Drunkedness is suredly going to come off as stupid to a bunch of sober people.

Higher - Spike the DMs drink, his/her drunkedness will make you seem smarter

Eh! You sure don't know the Five Stades of Drunkenness.

First Stade: Smart. Once you've reached the first stade of drunkenness, you become the smartest person ever. You may speak about anything, your ideas will be brillant, your wordplays will be clever, and every one will listen to them with awe.

Second Stade: Rich. Once you've reached the second stade of drunkenness, you become fantastically rich, and you are able to pay drinks for everyone in the bar. This stack with the first stade -- you're still the smartest person ever.

Third Stade: Handsome. Once you've reached the third state of drunkenness, your charisma and beauty are magnified so much that everyone else either wants you or envy you. Once again, you keep the benefits of the two previous stades.

Fourth Stade: Invincible. Once you've reached the fourth state of drunkenness, you become the most powerful brawler ever. Nothing, from angry patrons to pink mammoths to cops and to pillars, can match your fighting skill. Engage in any combat you want, you'll win, and you'll teach a good one to the offender! Of course, you're still smart, rich, and handsome.

Fifth Stade: Invisible. Once you've reached the fifth state of drunkenness, you become invisible, in addtion to being smart, rich, handsome, and invincible. You may do what you want, like stealing things, jumping from table to table, stripping yourself of clothing while bragging loudly, throwing various items at peoples and windows, driving a bicycle while wearing a boot for a hat and singing roguish songs -- you'll never be ridicule, because people can't see you.

 

[Drawmack]

When I am playing a character with int or wis much different then my own I allow all things related to that stat to be based on die rolls.

Here is what I do, and I have yet to have a DM disallow this:

1) The player, me, gets an idea or what have you that directly relates to the stat in question.

2) I roll 1d20+ability mod against a DC:
5 - simple
10 - average
15 - difficult
20 - extremely difficult

3) If I make the DC I state what my idea was

4) If I fail the DC I pass a note to another player with the idea on it and allow their character to have the idea.

 

[Darklone]

Character with low INT? There was a horrific article in one of the very old Dragons...

Play them sloooow. Cuz dey know, life is dangerous. So be careful. Very careful. Think about things. Think long. Think careful. Then do them. Slowly. Careful. Annoy your brethren