Can Spell Casting be done with a secondary attribute for i20?

As always, game balance, realism, and consistency must all be factored in. The inconsistency of Paladins using CHA vs. all other ‘divine’ classes using Wisdom as their SCM (spell casting modifier). This i refer to as their Mystic Attribute.

All spell casting classes have a Mystic Attribute that powers their spells. With i20, Divine classes and spells all use Wisdom as the SCM (which impacts Save DC, Attack modifier, and the reservoir for ‘memorized’ spells/magics. Paladins originally used Charisma, as a specific exception to this. Paladins also took a step away and were no longer tied to divinity – they were based on the strength of their Oath (to the cosmos?). They exist now without divine patronage, have little connection to their original envisioning in ADnD, and channel magic the same way sorcerers do. Speculating, I think they may be more of a chivalric ideal or romantic expression of the power of love and hate, depending on their oath. The i20 paladin class (pathway) returns more toward the holy knight aspect again – a martial expression of it, but divine nonetheless. Rangers withstood this change, keeping Wisdom, though they too are not explicitly tied to a divine entity (though the animistic bond to ‘nature’ could conceivably be seen as such). This seems and feels inconsistent. Both are much more individualistic, less community or structurally organized around congregations, followers, institutions or have an explicit tie to a divine entity and their explicit tenets and goals within society. They can be organized into orders or brotherhoods, but their martial emphasis clearly demonstrates that they are less willing to think in terms of building up community or passive approaches except through positions of might. There is a lot of nuance that can be argued in terms of individual PCs, but ‘classes’ are based on monolithic archetypes. It is only really the Paladin and Ranger that are both that inherently fit the Iconic rather than Community representation of faith. With the emphasis on combating their enemies as their only true expression of righteousness, spells are hung on top of that harness to augment it. They lean heavily in fact, towards the ideas of an “Agent”. This is the direction these classes will represent in the future Pathway/Class descriptors in i20. As such, they with BOTH have the ability to use either Wisdom (primary) OR Charisma (secondary) as a pathway choice, not as some individual exceptions in PCs as has been run in the past. By providing this framework, it can be used as a global mechanics approach in some instances with other Pathways/Classes, depending on setting, locale, species, and/or GM discretion.

Using a secondary Mystic Attribute will have some drawbacks:

  1. It cannot gain any spell casting benefits from being Unfettered.
  2. The secondary attribute must be set at the time of Character Inception (typically set as part of the Pathway/Class); Allowing it to be gained as an option later will require a revisiting of these base mechanics to ensure game balance.
  3. Objects made to augment the SPM (spell casting modifier) of an individual should cost double to cast the initial dweomer (usually a base ritual) in order to leverage the secondary Mystic Attribute.
  4. Non-divine places and objects of Focus AND augmentations have an impact 1 less (a minimum of zero).

This unique position as an agent will factor into other abilities of the unique Ranger and Paladin dedicated Pathways.

What about existing characters using the imposed Wisdom switch in current i20? These characters, if they want to trade for Charisma, can swap the two attributes.

What about existing characters that were allowed to use Charisma? These characters will take a hit on spell powers. Their powers will be slightly diminished, but not much. Its still an axiom that Wisdom will be the primary attribute for the divine. In exchange, there will likely be a Charisma modifier to some abilities.

SEE Will of the Principal’s Hand