For a class that is supposed to be charisma based, there is an extremely low number of spells that require a CHA Save. Most are WIS. Why not stack WIS then and update the Bard description to WIS based?
Bard Spells total: Str Save= 0
Dex Save= 5 lvl 0 = 1 lvl 1 = 2 lvl 3 = 2
Con save = 6 lvl 0 = 1 lvl 1 = 1 lvl 2 = 3 lvl 3 = 1
The CHA affects the DC or attack roll the bard is using for spells. It's important to many spells based on that mechanic.
The classes saves are based on one major and one minor save as a general rule. WIS, DEX, and CON are meant to be major saves. STR, INT, and CHA are meant to be minor saves. The difference is in the frequency the saves are used in the game.
The save used to save against and the ability score used in calculating the DC are different mechanics. Based on the premise given the majority of spellcasters would be affected the same way.
A higher CHA increases save DC for Bards, correct?
"Charisma is your spellcasting ability for your bard spells. Your magic comes from the heart and soul you pour into the performance of your music or oration. You use your Charisma whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Charisma modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a bard spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.
Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier"
So, why not have more spells based on what your main stat is?
All spells are based on the primary stat already. Doubling down making them also CHA saves breaks the "CHA is a rare save" design the rest of the game uses.
A rare saving throw against a rare saving throw bonus is a big benefit.
Why should the bard’s primary ability have anything to do with what their targets have to do? Wizards are an INT class, but tons of their spells target DEX saves, because being smart doesn’t help you dodge a fireball. It’s the nature of the spell that determines the target’s save, not the caster.
I think you're really getting confused with what determines the caster's DC versus what the target needs to avoid/resist the spell.
A wizard casts fireball using their own spellcasting modifier. The wizard's INT determines how strong the fireball is... but regardless whether a wizard, warlock or druid is casting fireball (being powered by INT, CHA and WIS respectively), the target still needs to DODGE that fireball using the TARGET'S Dex save
so having every spell target a target's STR saves has NOTHING to do what powers up a spellcaster's spells.
Generally speaking, the target needs to use a save that's relative to the spell and how best to resist it.
Strength obviously focuses on using brute strength to resist the spell. i.e. physically pulling oneself free from Entagled
Dexterity is how well the target can avoid the spell. i.e. jumping out of the way of a fireball It's also why Dex save spells usually have damage for half on a success where most other spells are all or nothing. You can dodge the brunt of a fireball avoiding most of the damage but you'll still be exposed to the blast partially (consider the rogue's evasion where the rogue can completely avoid a Dex saved spell)
Constitution is how well your body's fortitude stands up against things. Most things that cause diseases or exhaustion (like when seeing how well you can take that 5th shot of liquor) requires a Con save.
Wisdom saves - so here's where things get tricky because as you've pointed out Wis-targeted spells are the most frequent and is VERY similar to CHA at least in concept. From what I've read and gleaned the difference in Wis and CHA spells are that WIS is similar to CON but mental. How well your mind can resist affects. Look at Hold Person that causes your mind to lock down causing your body to paralyze itself.
Intelligence is a little easier in that it focuses on illusions and how well your brain can 'figure out' what's real and not. Phantasm force/killer creates an illusion that appears like it's trying to kill you. You need to see through that illusion using your intelligence.
Charisma targets your 'sense' of self. Most spells that target CHA are teleporting or banishing spells that remove you against your will. If Wis is your will power than charisma isn't so much your 'force of personality like people say but more in your confidence and certainty of who you are
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For a class that is supposed to be charisma based, there is an extremely low number of spells that require a CHA Save. Most are WIS. Why not stack WIS then and update the Bard description to WIS based?
Bard Spells total:
Str Save= 0
Dex Save= 5
lvl 0 = 1
lvl 1 = 2
lvl 3 = 2
Con save = 6
lvl 0 = 1
lvl 1 = 1
lvl 2 = 3
lvl 3 = 1
Int Save = 9
lvl 0 = 1
lvl 2 = 2
lvl 3 = 1
lvl 4 = 1
lvl 5 = 1
lvl 6 = 1
lvl 8 = 1
lvl 9 = 1
Wis Save = 32
lvl 0 = 1
lvl 1 = 6
lvl 2 = 5
lvl 3 = 4
lvl 4 = 4
lvl 5 = 6
lvl 6 = 3
lvl 8 = 1
lvl 9 = 2
Cha Save = 6
lvl 1 = 1
lvl 2 = 2
lvl 5 = 2
lvl 7 = 1
The CHA affects the DC or attack roll the bard is using for spells. It's important to many spells based on that mechanic.
The classes saves are based on one major and one minor save as a general rule. WIS, DEX, and CON are meant to be major saves. STR, INT, and CHA are meant to be minor saves. The difference is in the frequency the saves are used in the game.
The save used to save against and the ability score used in calculating the DC are different mechanics. Based on the premise given the majority of spellcasters would be affected the same way.
A higher CHA increases save DC for Bards, correct?
"Charisma is your spellcasting ability for your bard spells. Your magic comes from the heart and soul you pour into the performance of your music or oration. You use your Charisma whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Charisma modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a bard spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.
Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier"
So, why not have more spells based on what your main stat is?
All spells are based on the primary stat already. Doubling down making them also CHA saves breaks the "CHA is a rare save" design the rest of the game uses.
A rare saving throw against a rare saving throw bonus is a big benefit.
Just figured there would be... you know... more... from a class that is almost strictly based around CHA as a primary stat, and lore.
Why should the bard’s primary ability have anything to do with what their targets have to do? Wizards are an INT class, but tons of their spells target DEX saves, because being smart doesn’t help you dodge a fireball. It’s the nature of the spell that determines the target’s save, not the caster.
I think you're really getting confused with what determines the caster's DC versus what the target needs to avoid/resist the spell.
A wizard casts fireball using their own spellcasting modifier. The wizard's INT determines how strong the fireball is... but regardless whether a wizard, warlock or druid is casting fireball (being powered by INT, CHA and WIS respectively), the target still needs to DODGE that fireball using the TARGET'S Dex save
so having every spell target a target's STR saves has NOTHING to do what powers up a spellcaster's spells.
Generally speaking, the target needs to use a save that's relative to the spell and how best to resist it.
Strength obviously focuses on using brute strength to resist the spell. i.e. physically pulling oneself free from Entagled
Dexterity is how well the target can avoid the spell. i.e. jumping out of the way of a fireball It's also why Dex save spells usually have damage for half on a success where most other spells are all or nothing. You can dodge the brunt of a fireball avoiding most of the damage but you'll still be exposed to the blast partially (consider the rogue's evasion where the rogue can completely avoid a Dex saved spell)
Constitution is how well your body's fortitude stands up against things. Most things that cause diseases or exhaustion (like when seeing how well you can take that 5th shot of liquor) requires a Con save.
Wisdom saves - so here's where things get tricky because as you've pointed out Wis-targeted spells are the most frequent and is VERY similar to CHA at least in concept. From what I've read and gleaned the difference in Wis and CHA spells are that WIS is similar to CON but mental. How well your mind can resist affects. Look at Hold Person that causes your mind to lock down causing your body to paralyze itself.
Intelligence is a little easier in that it focuses on illusions and how well your brain can 'figure out' what's real and not. Phantasm force/killer creates an illusion that appears like it's trying to kill you. You need to see through that illusion using your intelligence.
Charisma targets your 'sense' of self. Most spells that target CHA are teleporting or banishing spells that remove you against your will. If Wis is your will power than charisma isn't so much your 'force of personality like people say but more in your confidence and certainty of who you are