A feat that gives int to initiative instead of dex, balanced? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

A feat that gives int to initiative instead of dex, balanced?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
sylian
Jun 05, 2008 7:26:28

#2
AaronOfBarbaria
Jun 05, 2008 14:03:48 seems fair enough, could be slightly better than Improved Initiative, but more often then not it would be a little less or equal in bonus.

A (possible) +1 to initiative isn't enough for me to call the whole think unbalanced
#3
v3rlon
Jun 06, 2008 7:12:40 It DOES make sense, but to look at it like a crafty powergamer, it could open a legal loophole to diminish the other stats....

Rather than build a balanced character, I build every INT mod I can into the tiefling.

using INT to get the better initiative.

"Using you keen knowledge of anatomy, you place strikes for maximum damage" Use INT instead of STR for damage.

"Using your vast array of swordfighting techniques, you apply the fighting style that is most effective." Use INT instead of STR for To HIT.

"Having read extensively on illusions, you know what to look for and how to spot them." Use INT instead of WIS for will saves.

"Having a treasure trove of kniowledge of hollistic medicine, you can find the remedies for many common ailments and poisons (and how much does oregano weigh anyway? might as well carry the stuff....you're smart enough to do that, too." Use INT instead of Con for all those saves.

and so on and so forth.....

I agree with the idea in principle, just do not leave it open to powergaming. Also, shouldn't a 'smart AND fast' fighter be quicker on his feet than a smart/slow OR a fast/dumb fighter?

You might cap it at +1 (being smart helps, but DEX is what matters when the action starts) and put it on TOP of the DEX mod. I do not have the 4E books yet, so I can't say how balanced it would look then. Just a thought.
#4
kkdragonlord
Jun 06, 2008 8:24:07 Since everyone has low int now, my guess is that only wizards will benefit from it
(dex skills are more common and valued as well, dex is also a major requirement for some of the best feats)
#5
sylian
Jun 06, 2008 9:52:33 Well, int is seen as less good than dex, right? Most people would not get much out of this feat, perhaps Wizard and some Warlords.

Who would take a feat that would give you +1 to Initiative? Improved Initiative gives a +4 bonus, for most characters, that feat is simply superior.
#6
scyld
Jun 06, 2008 16:34:59
It DOES make sense, but to look at it like a crafty powergamer, it could open a legal loophole to diminish the other stats....

Rather than build a balanced character, I build every INT mod I can into the tiefling.

using INT to get the better initiative.

"Using you keen knowledge of anatomy, you place strikes for maximum damage" Use INT instead of STR for damage.

"Using your vast array of swordfighting techniques, you apply the fighting style that is most effective." Use INT instead of STR for To HIT.

"Having read extensively on illusions, you know what to look for and how to spot them." Use INT instead of WIS for will saves.

"Having a treasure trove of kniowledge of hollistic medicine, you can find the remedies for many common ailments and poisons (and how much does oregano weigh anyway? might as well carry the stuff....you're smart enough to do that, too." Use INT instead of Con for all those saves.

and so on and so forth.....

I agree with the idea in principle, just do not leave it open to powergaming. Also, shouldn't a 'smart AND fast' fighter be quicker on his feet than a smart/slow OR a fast/dumb fighter?

You might cap it at +1 (being smart helps, but DEX is what matters when the action starts) and put it on TOP of the DEX mod. I do not have the 4E books yet, so I can't say how balanced it would look then. Just a thought.

I don't see how any of this is a problem.
If someone wants to customize a character such that his int is all he relies on, and use at least 100 feat slots to do it, fair enough.
#7
sophismata
Jun 07, 2008 11:03:08

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 sylian Jun 05, 2008 7:26:28
#2 AaronOfBarbaria Jun 05, 2008 14:03:48	seems fair enough, could be slightly better than Improved Initiative, but more often then not it would be a little less or equal in bonus. A (possible) +1 to initiative isn't enough for me to call the whole think unbalanced
#3 v3rlon Jun 06, 2008 7:12:40	It DOES make sense, but to look at it like a crafty powergamer, it could open a legal loophole to diminish the other stats.... Rather than build a balanced character, I build every INT mod I can into the tiefling. using INT to get the better initiative. "Using you keen knowledge of anatomy, you place strikes for maximum damage" Use INT instead of STR for damage. "Using your vast array of swordfighting techniques, you apply the fighting style that is most effective." Use INT instead of STR for To HIT. "Having read extensively on illusions, you know what to look for and how to spot them." Use INT instead of WIS for will saves. "Having a treasure trove of kniowledge of hollistic medicine, you can find the remedies for many common ailments and poisons (and how much does oregano weigh anyway? might as well carry the stuff....you're smart enough to do that, too." Use INT instead of Con for all those saves. and so on and so forth..... I agree with the idea in principle, just do not leave it open to powergaming. Also, shouldn't a 'smart AND fast' fighter be quicker on his feet than a smart/slow OR a fast/dumb fighter? You might cap it at +1 (being smart helps, but DEX is what matters when the action starts) and put it on TOP of the DEX mod. I do not have the 4E books yet, so I can't say how balanced it would look then. Just a thought.
#4 kkdragonlord Jun 06, 2008 8:24:07	Since everyone has low int now, my guess is that only wizards will benefit from it (dex skills are more common and valued as well, dex is also a major requirement for some of the best feats)
#5 sylian Jun 06, 2008 9:52:33	Well, int is seen as less good than dex, right? Most people would not get much out of this feat, perhaps Wizard and some Warlords. Who would take a feat that would give you +1 to Initiative? Improved Initiative gives a +4 bonus, for most characters, that feat is simply superior.
#6 scyld Jun 06, 2008 16:34:59	It DOES make sense, but to look at it like a crafty powergamer, it could open a legal loophole to diminish the other stats.... Rather than build a balanced character, I build every INT mod I can into the tiefling. using INT to get the better initiative. "Using you keen knowledge of anatomy, you place strikes for maximum damage" Use INT instead of STR for damage. "Using your vast array of swordfighting techniques, you apply the fighting style that is most effective." Use INT instead of STR for To HIT. "Having read extensively on illusions, you know what to look for and how to spot them." Use INT instead of WIS for will saves. "Having a treasure trove of kniowledge of hollistic medicine, you can find the remedies for many common ailments and poisons (and how much does oregano weigh anyway? might as well carry the stuff....you're smart enough to do that, too." Use INT instead of Con for all those saves. and so on and so forth..... I agree with the idea in principle, just do not leave it open to powergaming. Also, shouldn't a 'smart AND fast' fighter be quicker on his feet than a smart/slow OR a fast/dumb fighter? You might cap it at +1 (being smart helps, but DEX is what matters when the action starts) and put it on TOP of the DEX mod. I do not have the 4E books yet, so I can't say how balanced it would look then. Just a thought. I don't see how any of this is a problem. If someone wants to customize a character such that his int is all he relies on, and use at least 100 feat slots to do it, fair enough.
#7 sophismata Jun 07, 2008 11:03:08