Why is charisma associated with spellcasting?

WarlockLord

First Post
Why not intelligence? Does the magic view you as a more likable, happier person, so it does what you command? Why are no spontaneous casters (save the beguiler and assassin0 focused on intelligence? Even self-taught casters...
 

log in or register to remove this ad



It makes some sense to me.

Int: Studying, preparing your spells ahead of time.
Cha: Simply using your "will to power" as you see fit.

Of course, exceptions are allowed. ;)
 

freyar said:
It makes some sense to me.

Int: Studying, preparing your spells ahead of time.
Cha: Simply using your "will to power" as you see fit.

Of course, exceptions are allowed. ;)
The only weird thing about it is that your willpower is governed by wisdom rather than charisma.

Wisdom describes a character’s willpower, common sense, perception, and intuition. While Intelligence represents one’s ability to analyze information, Wisdom represents being in tune with and aware of one’s surroundings. Wisdom is the most important ability for clerics and druids, and it is also important for paladins and rangers. If you want your character to have acute senses, put a high score in Wisdom. Every creature has a Wisdom score.
 
Last edited:

Charisma isn't just likeability / magenetism, though that's part of it. From the SRD:

Charisma measures a character’s force of personality, persuasiveness, personal magnetism, ability to lead, and physical attractiveness. This ability represents actual strength of personality, not merely how one is perceived by others in a social setting.
 

I see will power, or force of will, as being associated with Wisdom personally.

I think it was a design decision to have CHA be associated with 'something/anything' more than anything else (and because WIS already had associated spellcasting), and has since been propagated to other situations. It isn't necessarily bad, just goofy to me.

Then again, I have never liked the idea of Spontaneous Spellcasters who are exactly like 'regular' wizards except they just 'will' spell effects to occur?!? But that is the topic of another thread - 'better designs for sorcerers'.
 

Well, I guess I meant "force of personality" by "will to power"; your ability to influence others rather than your ability to be true to yourself.

Edit: Like the distinction between Diplomacy and Sense Motive.
 

Crothian said:
It's force of personality being able to command magic.

Or it sounded good at the time. :D
Eh, basically, Charisma governs the interaction with other intelligent beings (charisma-based skills).

The universe (in D&D) has some notion of being a remotely intelligent being, since even planes and locations can carry alignments (opposed to animals, which can only be neutral).

So you use your charisma to interact with the universal personality of magic to "convince it" to do something...

"Yo, reality, get up and roast some dudes with a fireball, 'cuz I'm way cooler than you, reality!"



What? ;)
 


Pets & Sidekicks

Remove ads

Top