D&D 5E Idea for Int

[pukunui]

I have a house rule granting a PC one bonus language, tool proficiency or knowledge skill of their choice for each +1 from Intelligence.

 

[Krachek]

If you consider arcana, history, investigation, nature and religion dump skill, yes int is a dump stat.
If appraising an item, building a disguise, understanding a complex or crypt map is also dump skill maybe you're playing the wrong game.

 

[Shiroiken]

I am currently allowing an additional language for every 2 modifier, and this just wasn't worth it (only 2 characters have a 14+).

In my next campaign, I'm adding in Secondary Skills (basically the Lores from the Playtest) which will be the equivalent of a Tool Proficiency or Language. I'm then modifying these based on Int modifier, so a negative modifier will remove one (player's choice), and positive modifiers will add more. This should make Int less of a Dump Stat for most characters, without making Wizards too strong.

I really liked the idea of modifying XP based on Int modifier, but with the margin only 2 for each modifier, I feel this would be way too swingy, and make the Wizard king of the heap.

 

[BookBarbarian]

I've thought about this too, I would love more incentive to play a higher int Fighter, Rogue, or Barbarian. But I've yet to find a good way to make it work that doesn't make the Wizard that much more powerful. Extra languages, skill, or tools proficiencies could work at a table that makes good use of these for sure. So I may try that.

For now I've just had to change what INT means to me in my 5e games. It's less a characters mental capacity, and more a characters book-learning. It's easier for me to accept that adventurers (or lets be honest - murderhobos) just don't get as much out of book-learning as say a clerk.

 

[jgsugden]

Role playing is the best answer. When the PC ismade, remind the players that all attributes are meaningful. Something at an 8 will be a detriment. Then give knowledge to characters with high Int and don't give it to low Int characters. Further, look for places where the knowledge is going to be needed by that PC specifically, rather than being something that they can just get from another charter having a good inteligence. This could be the PC needing the info when they are alone, or the info being something related to their class, background or race that other classes, etc..would be less likely to know.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

If you consider arcana, history, investigation, nature and religion dump skill, yes int is a dump stat.
If appraising an item, building a disguise, understanding a complex or crypt map is also dump skill maybe you're playing the wrong game.

That's not the issue at hand. The issue is that there's no reason for anyone other than the wizard, or possibly rogue, to worry about those things.

If the fighter and cleric and ranger all dump Intelligence as low as possible, then they can invest in other stats that will keep them (and everyone else) alive. As it stands, investing in Intelligence is just more likely to get you killed.

 

[Krachek]

That's not the issue at hand. The issue is that there's no reason for anyone other than the wizard, or possibly rogue, to worry about those things.

If the fighter and cleric and ranger all dump Intelligence as low as possible, then they can invest in other stats that will keep them (and everyone else) alive. As it stands, investing in Intelligence is just more likely to get you killed.

You can also state that charisma is a dump stat for most class that don't use it in combat(sorcerer warlock pal bard). Except rare save like banishment and possession charisma is no use in combat.

 

[Lehrbuch]

It seems to be pretty commonly held that Int is a bit too much of a dump stat in 5e.

I don't think that Int is a dump stat or that it is a commonly held belief that it is.

Nonetheless, if I was to try to make it more attractive I would go for the following.

Outwit
=====
Each PC has a number of Outwit points equal to their INT modifier. A PC with a zero or negative INT modifier has zero Outwit points. Before you attempt any Ability Check or Attack roll for the PC, describe how the PC's intellect will help her in this situation. If the DM accepts, you may spend an Outwit point to gain the Advantage on the roll. Expended Outwit points refresh after a Long Rest.

 

[Krachek]

Personally I would have make

All saving throw vs effect where you are loosing control of your action (dominate, confusion, crown of madness) or deal psychic damage, intelligence saving throw.

And all saving vs frightened effect, charisma saving throw.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

You can also state that charisma is a dump stat for most class that don't use it in combat(sorcerer warlock pal bard). Except rare save like banishment and possession charisma is no use in combat.

Yes, that is a similar issue which also exists. Both Intelligence and Charisma suffer from the problem that they give very little to any class that isn't based around it, where every other stat has something that you'll really miss if you dump it. Even Strength lets you carry more stuff.

While both could use some sort of boost, consensus is that Intelligence is slightly less valuable than Charisma, for whatever reason. Some potential factors are that Charisma saves are slightly more common than Intelligence saves, Charisma-based classes are much more common than Intelligence-based classes, and Intelligence feels like it's weaker than it used to be since earlier editions let it govern skills and languages known.