D&D 5E What do spellcasting stats represent

[Yaarel]

Charisma − personal psychic power and influence
(Bard creativity, Paladin ethics, Sorcerer impulsiveness, Warlock negotiation)

Wisdom − paying attention, and being sensitive and in tune with the universe
(Cleric with symbols and realm of ideals, Druid and Ranger with ecosystem)

Intelligence − recognizing patterns, understanding systems, discovering the secrets of the universe, manipulating cosmic forces
(Wizard scholarly theoretical sciences, Eldritch Knight and Arcane Trickster applied sciences, mastering gadgets)

 

[Alexemplar]

Charisma is force of personality not force of will unless your changing it.

I guess you could consider this force of will...

Withstanding effects, such as possession, that would subsume your personality or hurl you to another plane of existence.

"Force of will" as in people with high Charisma have an easier time getting others to do things even if it's not in their best interests because they just can't resist.

In this sense, Charisma is Wisdom as Strength is to Constitution. And Dexterity/Intelligence both represent flexibility and the tendency to move/think very quickly.

 

[Yaarel]

Isnt but coulda shoulda?

Arcane Intelligence: Wizard
Divine Intelligence: Warlock (beat the devil at its own game)

Arcane Wisdom: Sorcerer (magical instinct, supernatural sensitivity, magical attunement)
Divine Wisdom: Druid (animal instinct, sensitivity to animistic spirit of natural features)

Arcane Charisma: Bard
Divine Charisma: Cleric (spiritual leader of a community)

 

[Alexemplar]

Isnt but coulda shoulda?

Arcane Intelligence: Wizard
Divine Intelligence: Warlock (beat the devil at its own game)

Arcane Wisdom: Sorcerer (magical instinct, supernatural sensitivity, magical attunement)
Divine Wisdom: Druid (animal instinct, sensitivity to animistic spirit of natural features)

Arcane Charisma: Bard
Divine Charisma: Cleric (spiritual leader of a community)

That sounds cool.

I personally like Wisdom as an overall stat, as I'm of the belief that magic should be mystical and involve some kind of intuitive/enlightened view of reality.

After that, whether your practice is more a case of learning the right formulas/rules/rituals or more a matter of convincing others (or the universe) to carry out your bidding is where Intelligence and Charisma come into play.

 

[Greenstone.Walker]

Charisma is the ability related to peer-pressure. It measures your ability to manipulate others as well as your ability to result such pressure. For a Warlock, it is required to resist the subtle pressures of the patron and its allies (like your familiar who continually tempts you) and to negotiate with the patron in the first place.

I'd also like to point out that Wisdom is not willpower - that is covered by Constitution.

 

[Yaarel]

Charisma is the ability related to peer-pressure. It measures your ability to manipulate others as well as your ability to result such pressure. For a Warlock, it is required to resist the subtle pressures of the patron and its allies (like your familiar who continually tempts you) and to negotiate with the patron in the first place.

I'd also like to point out that Wisdom is not willpower - that is covered by Constitution.

I agree with this. The same ability that creates an effect, needs to be the same ability that resists the effect.

Use Charisma to charm, then use Charisma to save versus a charm.

Use Wisdom (perceptiveness to detect signs of invisibility), then use Wisdom (perceptiveness) to disguise oneself perfectly.

Use agility (Strength=Dexterity) to grapple, then use agility to break out of a grapple.

And so on.

When applied consistently, it works well and is thematically and organizationally useful.