D&D 5E Intelligence, the Forgotten Ability

[Ancalagon]

In older editions, more intelligence = more skill points. It wasn't trivial to dump intelligence... but one extra skill per +1 of intelligence bonus would be incredibly good.

In other threads, I and others had suggested a sort of sliding scale - each +1 of int bonus gave you a small ribbon (I think it went like 1 tool proficiency, 1 language, 1 skill and... I forget haha). The problem is that it was effectively a buff to wizards (who tend to have high intelligence), and not everyone agreed this was the way to go.

 

[CapnZapp]

While probably true, it is a hill I would choose to die on.

At least you go with eyes open. Can't really fault that.

 

[snickersnax]

I think the problem with intelligence is that characters with high intelligence scores don't feel smart and characters with low intelligence scores don't feel stupid.

I use intelligence modifier for languages known (so an 8 intelligence gives minus one language. If that reduces you to 0 languages, then you can can still speak one language, but can't read or write).

Intelligence also gives +1 intelligence skill per intelligence modifier, so a 20 intelligence gives +5 languages and proficiency in all 5 intelligence skills (investigation, history, religion, arcana, and nature). When someone has a 200 IQ they know a lot and they are less likely to not know something that the 8 intelligence person knows.

I find that this gives the feel I'm looking for with the intelligence stat.