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What do you do when roleplay and stats contradict?

VallmyrVallmyr Member, Mobile Tester Posts: 2,459
in General Discussion (Spoiler Warning!)
Hello once again my fated forum friends! So I've spent a good 12 days now trying to decide my party of IWD:EE on my iPhone. Being it's on my iPhone I have no mods and such available like I did on my PC run of the game. Anyway, I had an idea for a really airheaded Cleric character. Like they are intelligent and such but are devoted to Talos, God of Storms. The character is chaotic neutral and I'm going to RP them as a sort-of nature caster. Granted the character is a gnome so I can't make them a druid. Anyway, I imagine the char stats to be something like 15 str, 16 dex, 16 Con, 14 int, 9 wis, 14 cha. The only issue is the 9 wis. Wisdom is the Cleric's primary casting stat. . . fortunately they aren't a mage or they wouldn't be able to cast high level arcane spells. Anyway, should I sacrifice my RP idea for the char and raise their wis or keep it low in line with their personality?

Comments

  • semiticgoddesssemiticgoddess Member Posts: 14,903
    I'd say a cleric with low Wisdom is perfectly acceptable if there's an RP reason behind it.

    You're the DM. It's up to you.
  • elminsterelminster Member, Developer Posts: 16,315
    edited May 2015
    Should Tiax be rejected because he only has 13 wisdom? (which deprives him of most wisdom benefits for additional spells)

    Of course not. In fact Tiax rules all!

    I say you should treat your character no differently :)
  • VallmyrVallmyr Member, Mobile Tester Posts: 2,459
    Welp, Tiax is one of the best characters I have yet to use. . . actually, going to use him on my documented run now that you mention him. . . Thanks! XD

    Gnome Cleric with 9 wisdom it is! I'm also considering raising int and lowering cha because of a lack in social skills as well. Thanks, guys n_n.
  • DJKajuruDJKajuru Member Posts: 3,300
    It is perfectly plausible - after all, gods act in misterious ways. ;D
  • VallmyrVallmyr Member, Mobile Tester Posts: 2,459
    It's also moments like this I'm glad in 2nd edition Wisdom only gives bonus spells to Clerics as opposed to also deciding the cap spell level they can cast.
  • elminsterelminster Member, Developer Posts: 16,315
    edited May 2015
    Vallmyr said:

    It's also moments like this I'm glad in 2nd edition Wisdom only gives bonus spells to Clerics as opposed to also deciding the cap spell level they can cast.

    Well technically in 2nd edition you'd normally have a spellcasting failure rate based on your wisdom (and if you have high wisdom you would benefit from other things like magic defence adjustment and immunity to certain mind affecting spells). The infinity engine games never implemented that though. But in your case since you have 9 wisdom you'd have a 20% chance of spell failure in 2nd edition pnp.
    Post edited by elminster on
  • VallmyrVallmyr Member, Mobile Tester Posts: 2,459
    elminster said:

    Vallmyr said:

    It's also moments like this I'm glad in 2nd edition Wisdom only gives bonus spells to Clerics as opposed to also deciding the cap spell level they can cast.

    Well technically in 2nd edition you'd normally have a spellcasting failure rate based on your wisdom (and other things like magic defence adjustment and immunity to certain mind affecting spells). The infinity engine games never implemented that though. But in your case since you have 9 wisdom you'd have a 20% chance of spell failure in 2nd edition pnp.
    At first I was like, "Oh, ouch!"

    But then again I imagine this character trying to do a prayer and failing the words/chant horribly.
    So it fits. XD
  • DreadKhanDreadKhan Member Posts: 3,857
    Well, if you RP this seriously, you could use either a d10 or a random number generatoe whenever you cast in 'stressful circumstances', and if you fail, you can deliberately flub the spell. This would be awfully Method-ey, but could be entertaining for you.

    Stressful imho would be 'in a battle that is challenging', ie vs named enemies and other tough opponents. Not a good solo idea maybe, but fine in a party. I would think out of battle casting could be left alone, since checking for EVERY SPELL would suck and be boring.
  • VallmyrVallmyr Member, Mobile Tester Posts: 2,459
    DreadKhan said:

    Well, if you RP this seriously, you could use either a d10 or a random number generatoe whenever you cast in 'stressful circumstances', and if you fail, you can deliberately flub the spell. This would be awfully Method-ey, but could be entertaining for you.

    Stressful imho would be 'in a battle that is challenging', ie vs named enemies and other tough opponents. Not a good solo idea maybe, but fine in a party. I would think out of battle casting could be left alone, since checking for EVERY SPELL would suck and be boring.

    Ohhh thanks for the suggestion!
    /goes and grabs a 1d10 from my dice bag.
  • SharGuidesMyHandSharGuidesMyHand Member Posts: 2,580
    Vallmyr said:

    Anyway, should I sacrifice my RP idea for the char and raise their wis or keep it low in line with their personality?

    The game is often more interesting when you create an unusual or "weakened" character for RP reasons.
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