Given the skill consolidation, wouldn't it make sense to make which ability modifier is used based on the use of the skill?
For instance, the reason Bluff and Sense Motive had to be different skills in 3.0 and 3.5 was that no one ability would be the same for them, no matter how much the 'skill' part was actually similar.
So, in this case, a Deception check made to tell a lie would gain a Charisma bonus, while a Deception check made to detect one would gain a Wisdom bonus.
It would indeed make sense - and there are plenty of games which do it that way - but skills aren't nearly as important in d20 as in most of those games. Its a notable complication, a back-compatibility problem, and another step for the GM calling for skill rolls (and another chance for debate). Is it really worth it?
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The only additional complexity would be during character creation and leveling, not during play. If you went this route, you could easily update the character sheet skill list to include multiple entries for skills that used different ability bonuses for different uses.
And it would actually fix lots of backward compatibility problems like Wis-deficient rogues suddenly seeing their 'Search' check drop. It would mean that skills would require less conversion, because the number in the old char sheet or stat block would be more likely to be correct.
The only additional complexity would be during character creation and leveling, not during play. If you went this route, you could easily update the character sheet skill list to include multiple entries for skills that used different ability bonuses for different uses.
Seems more complex to me.
Really? More complexity during play as in (1) the game master must specify which attribute is being used (adjusting old material on the fly), (2) you need to be prepared to answer as to "why", and (3) you need to be ready for the players to propose various reasons as to why using another attribute would fit the situation better.
Alternatively, you can try to complete a list of what situations and applications to use each attribute bonus in. Half a page per skill perhaps?
As for "easier to convert" - and "wis deficient rogues seeing their search skill drop" - characters will still see their skills drop by 3 on the average. How would making multiple entries out of one alter this? I'd guess that you're thinking about basing searching for traps on Dex, but that's just a guess.
I'd guess that you're thinking about basing searching for traps on Dex, but that's just a guess.
I just meant putting it back on Int.
*threadbump*