I don't really see it as being a problem. The problem with insisting low-Int characters role-play their low Int is that there is no way for an average-Int player to role play their character's high Int. So it's okay to make up for it by letting the group put their heads together regardless of character Int.
I did have an adventure where my character (+1 Int) was on their own and needed to crack a code. I, the player, cracked the code, but the DM made me roll an Int check to see how long in game time it would take me. That seems to generally be a good way to enforce character intelligence without having to tell players they don't get to use the good ideas they have.
I don't really see it as being a problem. The problem with insisting low-Int characters role-play their low Int is that there is no way for an average-Int player to role play their character's high Int. So it's okay to make up for it by letting the group put their heads together regardless of character Int.
I did have an adventure where my character (+1 Int) was on their own and needed to crack a code. I, the player, cracked the code, but the DM made me roll an Int check to see how long in game time it would take me. That seems to generally be a good way to enforce character intelligence without having to tell players they don't get to use the good ideas they have.
Having to roll to see how long it takes only makes sense if there is a time issue (roving patrols, needing to get to the throne room by noon, etc), or perhaps if there is a game-specific issue for a wrong guess (flames shoot out of the walls every time the character might make a flub). If a group is in a dungeon and there is no penalty for failing to pick the lock on the door, you can allow them to either keep working at it until they succeed, or decide the lock is either too complex (not likely if it had a typical DC), or maybe they had a run of bad luck and broke a pick in the lock.
I know I am referring to thieves tools and not puzzles, but the same concept applies. It's only an issue if you make it one.
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Just a old, crazy Dungeon Master building a realm one brick at a time...
INT is not intelligence, it's education. It's knowing stuff.
No it's not: "Intelligence, measuring reasoning and memory"
You seem to be arguing my point, sir.
Reasoning/critical thinking is a learned skill. Logic is a learned skill. It's education & knowing stuff.
Memory is remembering stuff you know. Education and knowing stuff again.
What classes depend on INT? The two classes based on education/book learning - wizard & artificer.
INT is not how "smart" a character is, or how quickly they think, or how creative, or how good they are at problem solving. INT is how educated they are. How much stuff they know. Including basic math and the ability to read.
You want people to not dump INT then make it important. If the character has an INT of less than 8 then they can't do anything other than the most basic math. Less than 10 then they can't read. It's amazing how PCs suddenly pay attention to INT when they cannot get basic information without it.
You don't need to go overboard though. After all, like STR, WIS and CHA, you only really need one high INT character in a party. Or a bard. :)
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^^^ That is a great way to solve the low-int PC, high-int player issue. Our group did something like this as well.
Or else you can have the low-int character blunder into the right answer once in a while.
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
I don't really see it as being a problem. The problem with insisting low-Int characters role-play their low Int is that there is no way for an average-Int player to role play their character's high Int. So it's okay to make up for it by letting the group put their heads together regardless of character Int.
I did have an adventure where my character (+1 Int) was on their own and needed to crack a code. I, the player, cracked the code, but the DM made me roll an Int check to see how long in game time it would take me. That seems to generally be a good way to enforce character intelligence without having to tell players they don't get to use the good ideas they have.
My suggestion is to simply insist characters role-play their Intelligence. You made Int < 10? You constantly come up with bad ideas.
We can definitely beat the dragon, I heard how they have a weak spot just under their chin.
Run away, the GOBLINS OUT NUMBER US 7 to 5!
Having to roll to see how long it takes only makes sense if there is a time issue (roving patrols, needing to get to the throne room by noon, etc), or perhaps if there is a game-specific issue for a wrong guess (flames shoot out of the walls every time the character might make a flub). If a group is in a dungeon and there is no penalty for failing to pick the lock on the door, you can allow them to either keep working at it until they succeed, or decide the lock is either too complex (not likely if it had a typical DC), or maybe they had a run of bad luck and broke a pick in the lock.
I know I am referring to thieves tools and not puzzles, but the same concept applies. It's only an issue if you make it one.
Just a old, crazy Dungeon Master building a realm one brick at a time...
I think the easiest way to stop Int from being used as a dump stat is to call for a lot Intelligence checks.
You seem to be arguing my point, sir.
Reasoning/critical thinking is a learned skill. Logic is a learned skill. It's education & knowing stuff.
Memory is remembering stuff you know. Education and knowing stuff again.
What classes depend on INT? The two classes based on education/book learning - wizard & artificer.
INT is not how "smart" a character is, or how quickly they think, or how creative, or how good they are at problem solving. INT is how educated they are. How much stuff they know. Including basic math and the ability to read.
You want people to not dump INT then make it important. If the character has an INT of less than 8 then they can't do anything other than the most basic math. Less than 10 then they can't read. It's amazing how PCs suddenly pay attention to INT when they cannot get basic information without it.
You don't need to go overboard though. After all, like STR, WIS and CHA, you only really need one high INT character in a party. Or a bard. :)