I'm developing a new race for my campaign and was wondering what stats to trade off for a +2 wis mod. I'm not quite sure where wisdom ranks in the scheme of things compared to the other ststs and also would like to avoid loopholes for power gamers to exploit. Any help would be appretiated.
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I'm developing a new race for my campaign and was wondering what stats to trade off for a +2 wis mod. I'm not quite sure where wisdom ranks in the scheme of things compared to the other ststs and also would like to avoid loopholes for power gamers to exploit. Any help would be appretiated.
First of all, you might want to post a little more of what this race is like for some suggestions.
As far as Wisdom is concerned --
Wisdom is the important stat for (nearly) every divine spellcaster (Cleric, Druid, Favored Soul, Paladin, Ranger, etc.)
Wisdom modifies Will saves.
Skills that use Wisdom are Heal, Listen, Profession, Sense Motive, Spot, and Survival.
Monks have a lot of their abilties based on their Wisdom modifier. (And there are a number of feats that also use Wisdom as the modifier.)
This is generically all that comes to mind regarding a Wisdom modifier. Spellcasting can be the biggest issue with increasing a "non-physical" stat. Many of the races that have ability enhancements to their non-physical stats also have a +1 LA -- Genasi, Planetouched, etc.
Just a few things to keep in mind and think about.
Intelligence. "X race values common sense and intuition more than book studies."
Well, in this campaign many of the races are animal headed humanoids. Orcs have been replaced with the powerful apelike Aurochs for example. I have also used a jackle headed, necromantic linked race. A medium sized minitaur race and now an equine race that I envision as a wise nomadic race of holy men. I realy want them to be unique though so I am not giving them a str mod as the Taurons already have that. I suppose they will have low light vision as well and I am trying to come up with other bonuses to tweak them too.
Speaking strictly of balance, I'd say any ability except Str or Dex is a good counter balance to Wis. A charisma penalty would make the race less attractive as a wisdom-caster since they usually have cha-related abilities, if that's what you're going for.
I suspect you could trade it off for any other stat and not be too far out of balance. Sure, a few classes will like it... but not too much if it's balanced with any other stat penalty.
So, pick whatever makes sense for the race you're thinking of.
+2 Wis, -2 Str: A contemplative race that emphasizes understanding and the senses over directly impacting nature
+2 Wis, -2 Dex: A race that wants the whole picture, not twitchy
+2 Wis, -2 Con: A race that uses its cunning to survive a difficult world. (That'd work for Strength as well.)
+2 Wis, -2 Int: A race that values perception and common sense, not book learning. (Thanks to the poster above.)
+2 Wis, -2 Charisma: A race that studies everything, creeping other races out.
Is that useful to you?
Speaking strictly of balance, I'd say any ability except Str or Dex is a good counter balance to Wis...
Spot-on, if you ask me. Str and Dex definitely give the most immediate advantages in combat situations, which appears to be the measure WotC uses -- no individual stat is as important as either of these in combat.