The Wisdom ability score is a hodge-podge of traits utterly non-sensically brought under one roof. Wisdom, as it exists in D&D or Pathfinder, represents at least the following four unconnected attributes:
Enlightened Insight
Common Sense
Physical Senses
Willpower
These traits have essentially nothing to do with one another. The word 'Wisdom' is in itself only suitable for representing the first two. Yes, out of the necessity of relative simplicity all ability scores are amalgations of characteristics that fit together less than perfectly. The implementation of isdom, though, is the worst offender by far and I have never been able to make myself fully comfortable with it.
I know that the Pathfinder RPG cannot rethink Wisdom and even more surely cannot split it up into other ability scores. That would break compatibility and aggravate many people who consider the six ability scores sarcosanct. I guess I just feel the need to express my frustration with the Wisdom ability score as written. Does anybody else feel similarly?
Note: Of course, in my home games, I feel free to modify this ability score as I see fit, such as spliting it up...
Enlightened Insight
Common Sense
Physical Senses
Willpower
I guess I just feel the need to express my frustration with the Wisdom ability score as written. Does anybody else feel similarly?
I really don't feel that way.
It has Defensive Willpower, where Charisma has Offensive Willpower [DC of spell-like abilities, etc].
It has Enlightened Insight, where Intelligence has sheer Brilliant Insight [Knowledge and memory checks].
It has common sense colloquially, and for random "Wisdom check!"'s, but there are few mechanics that adhere to this over anything else. Just as often it is Intelligence used. Usually whichever is higher (or lower for a harder DM).
It does have physical senses as a manifestation of Awareness. Closest tie to this would be Dexterity's bonus to AC - the more physical manifestation of Awareness.
Are these too many things combined? I truly don't think so. Are they related enough to be put together - I think so, but I see where it can be debated.related enough
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It's never really bothered me, either. Realistically, you could probably split all 6 ability scores into dozens of others (look at the Player's Option series for 2E that had two sub-abilities for each main one). For me, six abilities is enough, and that probably requires a certain amount of concessions as to what each ability encompasses (witness the "physical attractiveness being a part of Charisma" debate in another thread).
The Wisdom ability score is a hodge-podge of traits utterly non-sensically brought under one roof. Wisdom, as it exists in D&D or Pathfinder, represents at least the following four unconnected attributes:
Enlightened Insight
Common Sense
Physical Senses
WillpowerThese traits have essentially nothing to do with one another. The word 'Wisdom' is in itself only suitable for representing the first two. Yes, out of the necessity of relative simplicity all ability scores are amalgations of characteristics that fit together less than perfectly. The implementation of isdom, though, is the worst offender by far and I have never been able to make myself fully comfortable with it.
It all depends on how you approach it. I can think of at least one way of looking at Wisdom that does, indeed, link all of those together.
Think of it this way. Wisdom is a gauge of the character's mental clarity. Through having a clear sense of who and what he is, uncluttered by unresolved opposing impulses, he has a real strength of will against anything trying to intrude (Willpower). That clarity also allows him to perceive the world around him and his place in it better, unobscured by false delusions (Physical Senses). Finally, this clarity also helps him to make decisions based upon something more real, more sensible, than the intellect which tends to over-think things (Enlightened Insight and Common Sense).