Roleplaying Low Int. Suggestions?

[Harlock]

Hello All,

I have a player who stuck a low roll in intelligence (game is D&D 3rd ed.) who didn't really think about it at first. I noticed that during games she was more quiet than usual and asked her if there was anything that was botherig her or if she intended her character to be quiet. She told me that she just didn't know how to roleplay low int. I gave her a few suggestions (misuse big words, be too honest, misquote cliches) and she didn't seem to like them. I was hoping you thoughtful and intelligent people could maybe share some thoughts on this topic. I appreciate any advice you may have. So you know, she is a fighter and her int. score is 7. I can't wait to see your suggestions!

 

[Leopold]

ever see forest gump? Int of a 7 wis of 18!

 

[Deedlit]

Fizban might be a good example. Filled with cryptic quotes but can't remember how to cast fireball, and doesn't think about fireball affecting an area when he does cast it.

 

[Bonedagger]

I once had a player who claimed he didn't think intelligence would matter. He ended up with 5 in Int. (2nd Ed.). But he turned out to be a natural talent for playing dumb. He almost made it look easy. I was most impressed. (He fooled us that trickster)

Though it was rather annoying that he couldn't stop being in-character when we held pauses. I recommended him to go and try out theatre 'cause frankly such skills seemed wasted playing roleplayinggames (And the other players couldn't keep up with his performance).

So you see. As a DM you sometimes need to make tough decisions that in the long run will be for the benefit of all.

 

[Cloudgatherer]

She should say "I like swords", have a one track mind, and not always be able to put 2 and 2 together....

(Yes, that's an 8-bit theater reference)

 

[zilch]

Go read Gamestoppers on the Official D&D site. She could be like Krusk.
Or, like Fighter. Swordchucks, ho!

 

[The Dungeon Nazi]

Minsc possesses an Int of 8. His animal companion is Boo.

"Boo is a fuzzy little hamster. While Minsc believes that Boo is a miniature giant space hamster, you are rather certain that the tiny rodent is just a normal hamster."

 

[GWolf]

Ahh LOW INT

Hey once my friend wanted to have this kid I didn't like play so I said fine and made him a character with an INT of 3, but a wis of 18.

He didn't say much, barely spoke common, used the wrong grammer, would dance and growl alot, set a bar on fire, but sure knew a hell of alot about the forest.

He also believed his dead squirell was ina straight jacket and that the squirell talked to him.

 

[Bagpuss]

Really Low Int I don't find a problem. Its the 10 or 11 average intelligence I'd have a problem with.

I from testing IQ and qualifications I know my intelligence is probably up in the top 10-15% of the population (unfortunately intelligence doesn't help with personality and being a lazy dosser it's all going to waste).

It's hard to know when you think of something an average person wouldn't have or come up with a plan someone with Int 10 would not have. If you come up with a plan then you already know it's not something a Int 4 person wouldn't have done.

(Unless his name is Baldrick and his plan is exceptionally cunning, as cunning as a fox that has just been appointed professor of cunning at Oxford University.)

 

[nopantsyet]

have your player roll an int check each time she thinks of something. it doesn't have to be an official "ok, make an int check," type of thing. just have her make the roll herself then act/speak or not based on the roll.

or have her come up with some recurring behaviors resulting from this and incorporate them at random times. (die-rolling can work here, too.)

here's what i've done with low wis to illustrate what i mean.

i'm taking a break from dming for the summer and one of my players is running an oa game. since it's of limited duration, my character is an ex-samurai (disgraced) who is too weak-willed (8 Wis) to perform seppuku. his long-term goal is to to do. so after every battle, he makes a will save to see if he has been inspired enough to fulfill his honor. if/when he makes the save, out comes the wakizashi.

granted, only a certain type of roleplayer would go for that, but if she's concerned about this, she just might.

...but it's probably only useful to freaks like myself...