Paladin house rule - your thoughts?

[Lojaan]

I'm running a game for a friend who's playing a human pally. It's a cha/wis build with only a 12 in str (goes with his concept) and I am tempted to change two things for him;

1. Holy Strike: I would like to let him use this as Cha vs AC (instead of Str) as, since it deals radiant dmg, it seems like such a signature move of the paladin, and also as humans get 3 at-wills I would like for him to not need his pally to get MAD just so his 3rd at-will can be feasible.

2. Divine Strength: I would like to make this "you get to use your cha instead of your strength for an action" instead of the "you get to add your str to your next attack". So even though he's low str, he can still pull the occasional 'divine' feat of strenght.

I am not planning on changing any of the encounter or daily powers and, due to his build/concept, he is effectively giving up ever getting heavy blade opportunist (can use an at-will on OA) so I think it's balanced.

BUT I'm not a great number cruncher or a very experienced GM so I would very much like to hear your thoughts.

 

[PowerToast]

I'd say go for it. It'll make the game more fun for him and it doesn't seem like it would break anything. You're letting him have more choice with his powers is all, but he still only gets one set of actions a turn.

 

[Engilbrand]

What's his concept? Is it possible for him to be a Cleric who calls himself a Paladin? Or is this one of those, "My player is playing a Paladin who fights with knives because his concept is a paladin who fights with knives." things?

 

[Nifft]

1. Holy Strike: I would like to let him use this as Cha vs AC (instead of Str) as, since it deals radiant dmg, it seems like such a signature move of the paladin, and also as humans get 3 at-wills I would like for him to not need his pally to get MAD just so his 3rd at-will can be feasible.

Sounds fine. There will probably be something similar in the next splatbook or two -- at the least, there will be more Charisma-based at-wills for Paladins.

2. Divine Strength: I would like to make this "you get to use your cha instead of your strength for an action" instead of the "you get to add your str to your next attack". So even though he's low str, he can still pull the occasional 'divine' feat of strenght.

No way. There are two uses for a Paladin's Channel Divinity, and one of them is already based on Charisma.

Cheers, -- N

 

[FireLance]

While I don't think your proposed changes would be problematic, I personally would charge a feat for each change since they effectively offset part of the opportunity cost of having unbalanced ability scores.

2. Divine Strength: I would like to make this "you get to use your cha instead of your strength for an action" instead of the "you get to add your str to your next attack". So even though he's low str, he can still pull the occasional 'divine' feat of strenght.

Something like this?