So my pal is trying to make a Warlock that is horribly awkward. Ironic, I know.
I tried explaining to him that charisma is actually supposed to be a warlock's strongest attribute, but he stood by his decision, so I think the best way to go is to homebrew it and change the spellcasting ability from Charisma to Intelligence. Is there a way to reflect this on his character sheet, so that his modifier for spellcasting isn't a -2?
Make a Homebrewed version of their subclass and set the “Spellcasting Ability” to Int. Some stuff will still key specifically off of Charisma instead of “Spellcasting ability” and will have to be adjusted manually on the character sheet depending on the subclass.
There's playing with a negative modifier somewhere painful, and there's playing a spellcaster with a -2 for their spellcasting ability modifier.
This is one of those cases where the player doesn't realize how awful their play experience is going to be and the DM is gonna be a villain no matter what he does. Either he says "No, this is a bad idea and you will regret it later" and he's a monster for crushing his player's hopes and dreams, or five-odd sessions down the line the player will be all "WHY DID YOU LET ME DO THIS Q_Q" and the DM is a monster for not telling the player that playing with a 6 in their class's primary attribute is not Quirky Roleplay, it's a cause for strangling the character at birth.
There's playing with a negative modifier somewhere painful, and there's playing a spellcaster with a -2 for their spellcasting ability modifier.
This is one of those cases where the player doesn't realize how awful their play experience is going to be and the DM is gonna be a villain no matter what he does. Either he says "No, this is a bad idea and you will regret it later" and he's a monster for crushing his player's hopes and dreams, or five-odd sessions down the line the player will be all "WHY DID YOU LET ME DO THIS Q_Q" and the DM is a monster for not telling the player that playing with a 6 in their class's primary attribute is not Quirky Roleplay, it's a cause for strangling the character at birth.
Assuming that the player is a complete newbie, then I agree with you 100% (and I loved reading your short but colorful post, btw!)
The OP would have to clarify, but the player just may be one of those "my way or the highway" types who believe INT should be the primary stat for a warlock. (I seem to remember such a topic being discussed on this forum some time ago)
Yeah sorry! Should've specified. This guy is completely new to the game, and quite frankly, as am I, with nothing but having watched the second Critical Role campaign as the experience under my belt lol. It wasn't till our first session and the first fight that we realized he was gonna have an awful time if he didn't change his modifier.
I'll probably do what IamSposta told me to do and homebrew the subclass, see how it goes.
Yeah sorry! Should've specified. This guy is completely new to the game, and quite frankly, as am I, with nothing but having watched the second Critical Role campaign as the experience under my belt lol. It wasn't till our first session and the first fight that we realized he was gonna have an awful time if he didn't change his modifier.
I'll probably do what IamSposta told me to do and homebrew the subclass, see how it goes.
Yeah sorry! Should've specified. This guy is completely new to the game, and quite frankly, as am I, with nothing but having watched the second Critical Role campaign as the experience under my belt lol. It wasn't till our first session and the first fight that we realized he was gonna have an awful time if he didn't change his modifier.
I'll probably do what IamSposta told me to do and homebrew the subclass, see how it goes.
Might I also suggest watching this series:
It is an excellent resource for new DMs, and for experienced DMs too.
It is worth telling your brand new player: stats do not have to strictly character. if he wants his warlock to be super socially awkward despite having a very high Charisma, he can totally do that. The high Charisma could indicate offputting intensity - the guy is just too hardcore, too nuts intense for most folks to get along with. Or perhaps the patron imbued its new agent with an unearthly presence the character didn't grow up with and has no idea how to use, thus why he has no Charisma skill proficiencies.
Or he just plays what he wants regardless of his stats. Jester almost never plays up the fact that she started Campaign 2 with a higher strength score than GROG did in C1; she just has a weirdly high modifier in Strength despite being an ordinary gal most of the time.
That's a fantastic point, actually! I'll be talking to him for a bit today and I'm gonna introduce all these ideas you guys have given me. Thanks for the support! :)
His character can still be awkward even with a decent charisma. Reminds me of the new Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, with the awkward teen in Dwayne Johnson / Dr Bravestone’s body with “The Smolder”. He could simply not be used to his newfound charisma (bumped up by his patron, gotta have some standards...).
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Hey all,
So my pal is trying to make a Warlock that is horribly awkward. Ironic, I know.
I tried explaining to him that charisma is actually supposed to be a warlock's strongest attribute, but he stood by his decision, so I think the best way to go is to homebrew it and change the spellcasting ability from Charisma to Intelligence. Is there a way to reflect this on his character sheet, so that his modifier for spellcasting isn't a -2?
Thanks in advance!
Make a Homebrewed version of their subclass and set the “Spellcasting Ability” to Int. Some stuff will still key specifically off of Charisma instead of “Spellcasting ability” and will have to be adjusted manually on the character sheet depending on the subclass.
I hope that helps.
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There are people who like to play characters with flaws/sub optimal ability scores.
If you explained it already, then just let him just play with the negative modifier.
There's playing with a negative modifier somewhere painful, and there's playing a spellcaster with a -2 for their spellcasting ability modifier.
This is one of those cases where the player doesn't realize how awful their play experience is going to be and the DM is gonna be a villain no matter what he does. Either he says "No, this is a bad idea and you will regret it later" and he's a monster for crushing his player's hopes and dreams, or five-odd sessions down the line the player will be all "WHY DID YOU LET ME DO THIS Q_Q" and the DM is a monster for not telling the player that playing with a 6 in their class's primary attribute is not Quirky Roleplay, it's a cause for strangling the character at birth.
Please do not contact or message me.
Assuming that the player is a complete newbie, then I agree with you 100% (and I loved reading your short but colorful post, btw!)
The OP would have to clarify, but the player just may be one of those "my way or the highway" types who believe INT should be the primary stat for a warlock. (I seem to remember such a topic being discussed on this forum some time ago)
Yeah sorry! Should've specified. This guy is completely new to the game, and quite frankly, as am I, with nothing but having watched the second Critical Role campaign as the experience under my belt lol. It wasn't till our first session and the first fight that we realized he was gonna have an awful time if he didn't change his modifier.
I'll probably do what IamSposta told me to do and homebrew the subclass, see how it goes.
Good luck! You guys will have a blast!
Might I also suggest watching this series:
It is an excellent resource for new DMs, and for experienced DMs too.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
This Youtuber is pretty good too.
It is worth telling your brand new player: stats do not have to strictly character. if he wants his warlock to be super socially awkward despite having a very high Charisma, he can totally do that. The high Charisma could indicate offputting intensity - the guy is just too hardcore, too nuts intense for most folks to get along with. Or perhaps the patron imbued its new agent with an unearthly presence the character didn't grow up with and has no idea how to use, thus why he has no Charisma skill proficiencies.
Or he just plays what he wants regardless of his stats. Jester almost never plays up the fact that she started Campaign 2 with a higher strength score than GROG did in C1; she just has a weirdly high modifier in Strength despite being an ordinary gal most of the time.
Please do not contact or message me.
That's a fantastic point, actually! I'll be talking to him for a bit today and I'm gonna introduce all these ideas you guys have given me. Thanks for the support! :)
His character can still be awkward even with a decent charisma. Reminds me of the new Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, with the awkward teen in Dwayne Johnson / Dr Bravestone’s body with “The Smolder”. He could simply not be used to his newfound charisma (bumped up by his patron, gotta have some standards...).