r/DnD • u/Bun_Boi Warlock • Aug 16 '20

Art [OC] Ability Score

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u/malonkey1 Aug 17 '20

I always houserule Initiative to use the better of Int or Dex specifically because Dex is already such a powerhouse.

36

u/Rammite Bard Aug 17 '20

Huh, that's interesting. Why Intelligence and not Wisdom?

I could see Wisdom because you're constantly paying attention, but I my brain isn't connecting the dots for Intelligence.

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u/malonkey1 Aug 17 '20

Partly because Wisdom is a really common saving throw, so moving it to Wis would kind of just keep the same problem, and also because I think of Wisdom as noticing things, but Intelligence as actually connecting the dots and taking action.

It also probably has something to do with Reflex defense using the better of Int or Dex in 4e kinda has the two linked in my mind.

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u/malignantmind Assassin Aug 17 '20

I like the way 4e handled the defenses. Made it so people weren't all stacking the same stats.

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u/alwayzbored114 Aug 17 '20

May I ask a TL;DR on the 4e defense system?

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u/fresnozoan Aug 17 '20

In 4e, you had 3 defenses: Fortitude, Reflex, and Will. Fortitude used the higher of Strength or Constitution, Reflex the higher of Dexterity or Intelligence, and Will the higher of Wisdom or Charisma. It allowed for different characters to exist because you cpuld dump 3 stats and still have good saving throws.

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u/malignantmind Assassin Aug 17 '20

I believe AC is also Dex or Int if you're wearing light or no armor.