Where to put my level 8 bonus attribute point?

[FlimFlam]

Playing a Gnome Paladin (Level 6) / Illusionist (Level 2) with the following attributes:

Str 13 +1
Dex 13 +1
Con 16 +3
Int 13 +1
Wis 13 +1
Cha 16 +3

I plan to go one more level in Illusionist to get 2nd level spells. Then I am going Spellsword =)

I can't decide where to put my attribute point though. I was thinking Strength, just because it is so low. That is an extra point of damage, which wouldn't matter too much since I am doing a large amount anyway. But it would also give me an extra +1 to hit in melee and allow me to carry more equipment (which was a problem for me in the past, but ever since I got this Mithral Chain Shirt I've been fine).

Then there is Dex. Another +1 to AC is always welcome. Also a +1 to Reflex.

Or Intelligence. That is an extra 2nd level Wizard spell at next level. Plus an extra skill point, but not really too concerned with that. I'd have to wait next level to take advantage of the bonus spell though.

Or there is Wisdom, which will help my Will save and allow me to cast an extra second level Paladin spell, which I don't have yet and may never get at this point.

As of right now, I am leaning towards Dex or Int.

The only reason I am not considering Con or Cha is because I'm not sure how long I'll be playing this character. I am surprised that I got him this far, to level 8.

 

[Mr Fidgit]

personally, i'd go with Dex. it'll also help with ranged attacks, among the other benefits

 

[AGGEMAM]

Wis, those Paladin spells is underrated, IMO.

 

[FlimFlam]

But I don't qualify for second level Paladin spells yet, and I may never at this point. So the Wis won't really help me in that regard.

I'm not so concerned with the +1 to Ranged combat since my weapon of choice there is the Sling (uberweapon of the gods, heh).

 

[AuraSeer]

I'd probably go for Int. You not only get the extra spell, you also get a +1 increase on all your save DCs. That could make a difference for an illusionist, since most illusions are negated by a successful save. (It'd be less important for, say, an evoker, with spells that still do half damage even if saved against.)

 

[Crothian]

Wisdom, will saves are very important and the skills wisdom is used for are the most universially used.

 

[Tobold Hornblower]

Do you use a two-handed weapon? If so, your strength bonus to damage will go from +1 to +3. If not, why not? 14 and 18 are important plateaus for strength.

Do you encounter many Undead--use your turning much? Wisdom could help you there.

 

[Nail]

Int.

Str and Dex can be easily increased with magic (core rules), and magic increases all of the benefits of those abilities.

Int, OTOH, does not receive the full benefit when increased with magic. Spells, for example. And that extra skill point might come in handy.

 

[mzsylver]

i would do intelligence, because if you ever increase your intelligence - it is best to do it early for more skill points.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

I would go with either Int with Strength as a distant 2nd choice.

Int would give you another 2nd level spell--one of which could probably be Bull's Strength handily taking care of the strength problem (and if you ask me, 13 str is a problem for any melee combatant). It would also give you more skill points and a higher DC for your saves.

Strength would be less useful but you'd hit more often and it'd hurt more when you hit. I've never had a character who did enough damage so I can't imagine this character couldn't use the help. . . .