I don't see it as being massively unbalanced. Although I would 100% regard it as a buff to the inspired blade. If I could have 18 cha and 14 int vs 18 int and 14 cha I would much rather use the latter. The extra skill points would be much more useful in general. Even for being the party face 2 extra skill points is arguably stronger than 2 extra cha mod, as it lets you keep your bluff, diplomacy, intimidate, and sense motive maxed out more easily.
Well for a 1 level dip the only advantage you'll be getting is for Dodging Panache - which is almost never used (most people go with Opportune Parry when they're trying to avoid a hit).
Charmed life working off INT would be a HUGE buff to a lot of classes, but at the cost of a 2 level dip it might balance out.
Also I don't usually see this archetype played unless someone is going for a 1 level dip then into an INT-based class (If others have a different experience maybe ignore this paragraph). Buffing it might see this archetype get played (more than just a dip), so it might be worth a buff anyway.
Since we're in the home-brew section anyway I'd say people could try this buff, but make it clear to the players that if it's too powerful they might reverse the buff. If you do reverse the buff the Player should be allowed to re-write their character - either just changing archetype, or maybe getting a new character entirely if they don't find that playable.
I played the class to level 7 before our campaign died out. It was pretty fun.
If you are a 9/1 on the class I assume this would amount to something like +5 on your various panache based abilities? As Mr. Charisma mentions I doubt dodging panache would be too crazy, but I might worry about a 2 level dip with charmed life for various int based classes.
A wizard with a potential dip for semi-paladin saves sounds pretty incredible.
A wizard with a potential dip for semi-paladin saves sounds pretty incredible.
True, but with 2 (slightly contradictory) caveats.
1. The wizard probably has MUCH higher INT than a Paladin has CHA, so this would be an immense boost.
2. A 2 level dip out of wizard means they're always 1 spell-level behind where they could be. Even a 3/day +10 to saves may not be worth losing your highest level of spells until character level 19.
I see this as more of a thing for Magi/Investigators. Their INT bonus is probably more comparable to the CHA bonus for a Paladin, but it's only 3/day (and no immunities) so not quite as good. That said, it would be VERY powerful for someone who didn't mind the 2 level dip.
As an aside I don't know if it would convince more people to play Inspired Blades (more than just a dip) or it would just make the dip worth 2 levels, so I don't know if it really does what I was thinking anyway.