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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Al" data-source="post: 258688" data-attributes="member: 2486">Perhaps, but the point is that (as E_B has demonstrated) the paladin needs five strong ability scores, as you put it.  Taking the default array, there is no way that the paladin can afford a 12 int (to start) without sacrificing a lot.  The default paladin could sacrifice Strength, reducing his effectiveness in combat.  He can sacrifice Constitution, again reducing his effectiveness in combat.  He can sacrifice Wisdom, reducing his spellcasting abilities and making himself a 'fool'.  He can sacrifice Charisma, hitting his leadership potential and abilities.  Clearly, none of these four scenarios is desirable. Your justification for the high Intelligence is that 'they can only get respected if they have high Int'.  My examples are to demonstrate that this theory is incorrect.  High Intelligence is NOT required to be 'inspirational'- the historical examples are proof of that fact.My main objection to the Intelligence requirement, however, is that it seems that Intelligence is not the primary ability of the paladin (you yourself say that Strength, Wisdom and Charisma are).  Yet none of these three are presented as a mandatory requirement, and Intelligence is.  Surely a contradiction? If the paladin and hospitaller really are conceptually different, and if the paladin really is unique in its 'niche', please highlight the differences.  I don't think many people here (and not just myself) can draw a broad distinction.  Granted, there may be cursory, superficial or minor differences, but a prestige class is meant to be different in its own right, rather than a weaker clone of the alternative.As for ability strength, this is the continuation of the above point.  I do not (as you unfoundedly assume) bolt for 'abilities'.  Yet if two prestige classes, which are almost identical, are put to a normal set of players, no one will take the weaker class.  For one, as Lily Inverse had shown, the stronger class better serves its deity- making it more in line with the concept.  Let's be realistic: if class A is stronger than class B, and both classes are conceptually (near) identical and are charged with a 'divine mission' why would anyone choose class A.  It is a bit like a modern army chooses to train its soldiers in *exactly* the same drills and methods, but with obsolete technology.  No conceptual difference: but one major difference in effectiveness. A good point, and perhaps even a sensible justification for a high Intelligence requirement.  But yet you also offer similar justification for Wisdom, Charisma and the like- none of these are presented as a mandatory requirement.  Why not?  Further, I would disagree with this justification: surely these are best portrayed by Knowledge: Religion or similar rather than a blanket Int score?</blockquote>

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