Me and a few of the players in my group have been debating on this point for some time now and I was curious what other people thought about this idea. My viewpoint is that I think that warlocks should be able to choose their spellcasting modifier of the mental ability scores (INT, WIS, CHA) or at least have options tied to their subclass. Now I am the minority of this opinion in my group, who most of them feel that warlocks should be Wisdom casters rather than Charisma. With their reason being (summarized), Warlocks aren't using their Charisma to cast spells, but using their will which for them is Wisdom. Which I personally disagree with because to me, a warlock's spellcasting ability should depend on the relationship between the patron and the warlock in question.
One definition of Charisma is force of personality, which translates to will much better than wisdom does.
I’ve always thought that warlock’s should have been Intelligence casters instead of Charisma casters since the description of the class says that they are seeking knowledge. At one point during the development of 5e their spell casting was based on Intelligence, but the designers decided to change it to Charisma. If I was going to house rule a different ability score I’d pick Intelligence and see how it works.
Warlocks use CHA cause it is Willpower, but also it is neccesary for Warlocks to be able to stay secret and discreet about their dealings.
Warlocks arn't exactly very welcome in most societies, so them been good at either Deceiption or Intimdation are essentials skills for them.
Had a Hexblade character that passed himself for an Eldritch Knight to the party, had to lie through my teeths and deceive the party more than once ( was the Only arcane based spellcaster, so none of the others characters could tell the difference)
I definitely do not agree that warlocks should be a wis caster. Making deals with beings of the nature of most patrons is inherently unwise. I kind of wish that they were an INT based class, but charisma makes sense too.
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Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
I definitely do not agree that warlocks should be a wis caster. Making deals with beings of the nature of most patrons is inherently unwise. I kind of wish that they were an INT based class, but charisma makes sense too.
Agreed! I tend to make Wisdom my dump stat when I’m playing a warlock because making the type of deals that warlock’s make in exchange for power isn’t something that someone with a high wisdom will do.
This particular discussion has been here before. Since the bond is what's important, I see the point of Charisma as primary. I would move Sorceror, and not Warlock, to Int-based. Their magic is intrinsic, rather than pact-based.
But, if a DM says "player's choice," I'm ok with that. My Warlock's second highest stat (Tomelock, pact of the Fey) is Int, because he's the party's primary caster and Arcane research specialist. He writes everything in his tome, and his patron writes back to him in it.
As long as the DM is good with it, then it's more important to play the character for fun and to be a good and useful member of the party. Just don't expect other DMs to accept that interpretation.
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May the gentle moonlinght guide you to greater wisdom
Me and a few of the players in my group have been debating on this point for some time now and I was curious what other people thought about this idea. My viewpoint is that I think that warlocks should be able to choose their spellcasting modifier of the mental ability scores (INT, WIS, CHA) or at least have options tied to their subclass. Now I am the minority of this opinion in my group, who most of them feel that warlocks should be Wisdom casters rather than Charisma. With their reason being (summarized), Warlocks aren't using their Charisma to cast spells, but using their will which for them is Wisdom. Which I personally disagree with because to me, a warlock's spellcasting ability should depend on the relationship between the patron and the warlock in question.
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One definition of Charisma is force of personality, which translates to will much better than wisdom does.
I’ve always thought that warlock’s should have been Intelligence casters instead of Charisma casters since the description of the class says that they are seeking knowledge. At one point during the development of 5e their spell casting was based on Intelligence, but the designers decided to change it to Charisma. If I was going to house rule a different ability score I’d pick Intelligence and see how it works.
Professional computer geek
Warlocks use CHA cause it is Willpower, but also it is neccesary for Warlocks to be able to stay secret and discreet about their dealings.
Warlocks arn't exactly very welcome in most societies, so them been good at either Deceiption or Intimdation are essentials skills for them.
Had a Hexblade character that passed himself for an Eldritch Knight to the party, had to lie through my teeths and deceive the party more than once ( was the Only arcane based spellcaster, so none of the others characters could tell the difference)
"Normality is but an Illusion, Whats normal to the Spider, is only madness for the Fly"
Kain de Frostberg- Dark Knight - (Vengeance Pal3/ Hexblade 9), Port Mourn
Kain de Draakberg-Dark Knight lvl8-Avergreen(DitA)
I definitely do not agree that warlocks should be a wis caster. Making deals with beings of the nature of most patrons is inherently unwise. I kind of wish that they were an INT based class, but charisma makes sense too.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
Agreed! I tend to make Wisdom my dump stat when I’m playing a warlock because making the type of deals that warlock’s make in exchange for power isn’t something that someone with a high wisdom will do.
Professional computer geek
This particular discussion has been here before. Since the bond is what's important, I see the point of Charisma as primary. I would move Sorceror, and not Warlock, to Int-based. Their magic is intrinsic, rather than pact-based.
But, if a DM says "player's choice," I'm ok with that. My Warlock's second highest stat (Tomelock, pact of the Fey) is Int, because he's the party's primary caster and Arcane research specialist. He writes everything in his tome, and his patron writes back to him in it.
As long as the DM is good with it, then it's more important to play the character for fun and to be a good and useful member of the party. Just don't expect other DMs to accept that interpretation.
May the gentle moonlinght guide you to greater wisdom
so i saw this and noticed you can do that in homebrew subclasses
though i cant seem to get it to work