Dragodar
2020-01-02, 02:10 PM
I recently came up with this idea for a variant rule, and I'm thinking about trying it out experimentally, either in a high-powered one shot or a short, heroic campaign. I was wondering what the community's thoughts are.
All Spellcasters can choose between two options for their Primary Spellcasting Ability. Bards and Warlocks may choose between Intelligence and Charisma. Clerics and Sorcerers may choose between Wisdom and Charisma. And Druids and Wizards may choose between Intelligence and Wisdom.
For the purposes of Spell Attack Bonus, Spell Save DC, and all other functions relating to the Spellcaster's Primary Spellcasting Ability, this chosen Ability will be used. It must be chosen the first time the character takes a level in the class, and cannot be changed once it is chosen. For the purpose of multiclassing with two spellcasting classes, the player may choose either ability offered by the class they are multiclassing into, but once again, may not change it once it is chosen.
Clerics, Druids, and Wizards keep their normal Saving Throw Proficiencies (Wisdom/Charisma for clerics, and Intelligence/Wisdom for Druids and Wizards).
Each of the other spellcasting classes is proficient in the Saving Throw of its Spellcasting Ability, as well as another ability determined by that choice.
Bard: Dexterity if Charisma is chosen, or Constitution if Intelligence is chosen
Sorcerer: Constitution if Charisma is chosen, or Charisma if Wisdom is chosen
Warlock: Dexterity if Intelligence is chosen, or Wisdom if Charisma is chosen
On the surface, pre-playtest, it would seem the biggest changes are multiclassing between spellcasters, allowing powerful SAD builds that were previously MAD to varying levels of feasibility. For example, an INT based wizard/bard combo, or a WIS based sorcerer/wizard combo. In addition, it would allow classes to take on different roles than their usual, such as a high high INT bard who is the expert in Knowledge skills, or a high CHA druid playing the party face.
I'm well aware this rule could present some serious balance issues, which is why I'm posting about it here. What do you foresee being the biggest potential abuse of such a rule? Get creative. I'm crowdsourcing this to see how optimized you guys can make a build using this rule. Let's see your best min/max builds!
All Spellcasters can choose between two options for their Primary Spellcasting Ability. Bards and Warlocks may choose between Intelligence and Charisma. Clerics and Sorcerers may choose between Wisdom and Charisma. And Druids and Wizards may choose between Intelligence and Wisdom.
For the purposes of Spell Attack Bonus, Spell Save DC, and all other functions relating to the Spellcaster's Primary Spellcasting Ability, this chosen Ability will be used. It must be chosen the first time the character takes a level in the class, and cannot be changed once it is chosen. For the purpose of multiclassing with two spellcasting classes, the player may choose either ability offered by the class they are multiclassing into, but once again, may not change it once it is chosen.
Clerics, Druids, and Wizards keep their normal Saving Throw Proficiencies (Wisdom/Charisma for clerics, and Intelligence/Wisdom for Druids and Wizards).
Each of the other spellcasting classes is proficient in the Saving Throw of its Spellcasting Ability, as well as another ability determined by that choice.
Bard: Dexterity if Charisma is chosen, or Constitution if Intelligence is chosen
Sorcerer: Constitution if Charisma is chosen, or Charisma if Wisdom is chosen
Warlock: Dexterity if Intelligence is chosen, or Wisdom if Charisma is chosen
On the surface, pre-playtest, it would seem the biggest changes are multiclassing between spellcasters, allowing powerful SAD builds that were previously MAD to varying levels of feasibility. For example, an INT based wizard/bard combo, or a WIS based sorcerer/wizard combo. In addition, it would allow classes to take on different roles than their usual, such as a high high INT bard who is the expert in Knowledge skills, or a high CHA druid playing the party face.
I'm well aware this rule could present some serious balance issues, which is why I'm posting about it here. What do you foresee being the biggest potential abuse of such a rule? Get creative. I'm crowdsourcing this to see how optimized you guys can make a build using this rule. Let's see your best min/max builds!