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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Dec 2006 : 01:27:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I rolled a couple Intelligence checks to make sure the character could think of it (he wasn't as smart as I am in real life, so I frequently made Intelligence checks to see if he could think up the ideas I had).
Wooly's above post made me think of a question that has arisen in our games from time to time. How do you handle the discrepancy between a player's average intelligence and his character's 18+ intelligence score? This never fails to come up anytime I have a riddle, puzzle room, or something to that effect. A player may have no idea how to solve a problem that would be simple for his super-intelligent character. How do any of you handle this situation?
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War to slay, not to fight long and glorious.
Aermhar of the Tangletrees
Year of the Hooded Falcon
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Guide to the Tomes and Tales of the Realms download from Candlekeep
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4703 Posts |
Posted - 13 Dec 2006 : 02:10:43
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| Use a Knowledge check is the simple way to solve it, use take 20 rule (player needs to take about 2 minutes to figure out) the Check of course is against stat (plus adjustments) and DC of puzzel. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Dhomal
Senior Scribe
USA
565 Posts |
Posted - 13 Dec 2006 : 05:39:04
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Hello-
One thing to think about is All the players. Its perhaps true that the 18+ INT Wizard may be played by someone with a lower IQ than his character - BUT - on the other hand - perhaps the INT 9 or lower Fighter is played by someone with a higher IQ. I have let the players discuss in group such things - even if it was a case where one particular PC needed to answer a question or solve a puzzle 'on their own'. To me - this helped average out and mitigate the effects of INT scores not necessarilly mimicing the IQs of the players.
Just another thought I guess. :)
Dhomal |
I am collecting the D&D Minis. I would be more than willing to trade with people. You can send me a PM here with your email listed - and I can send you my minis list. Thanks!
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 13 Dec 2006 : 08:40:55
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| I hqandle puzzles differently - I do not count in the Int scores of the PCs, 'cause I see puzzles as a fun part in game play the players are suppose to solve by themselves. What fun is in rolling one more die.......... So if they cannit solve a puzzle one their own - so be it. |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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Zimme
Learned Scribe
Denmark
209 Posts |
Posted - 13 Dec 2006 : 10:38:45
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| If a char has a exceptional or genius level intelligens, I as a dm, put in extra info that that character can use,noted on a piece of paper or something, all due to his/her great knowledge. Then its up to the person playing how to use that extra info, there I do not mix in. |
Sometimes I feel like Beshaba is sitting on my back, devoting her entire attention to me!
Rannek.
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Victor_ograygor
Master of Realmslore
Denmark
1076 Posts |
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WalkerNinja
Senior Scribe
USA
577 Posts |
Posted - 13 Dec 2006 : 13:41:15
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| Puzzles and riddles strictly rely upon the insight of the player, imho. If there is a large discrepancy in the player's intelligence and the character's I may occasionally give a hint. An 8th grader can hardly be held accountable for the 20 intelligence of his Sun Elf wizard. |
*** A Forgotten Realms Addict since 1990 ***
Treasures of the Past, a Second Edition Play-by-Post game for and by Candlekeep Sages--http://www.rpol.net/game.cgi?gi=52011 |
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Faramicos
Senior Scribe
Denmark
468 Posts |
Posted - 14 Dec 2006 : 21:39:58
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| I like Zimmes system... I use lots of puzzles and riddles in my game and i think i will use your idea in my game. Good way to handle high IQ played by low IQ players. (hope none of my players read this) |
"When dragons make war, worlds can only tremble in the shadow of angry wings" |
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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2006 : 04:03:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Ergdusch
I hqandle puzzles differently - I do not count in the Int scores of the PCs, 'cause I see puzzles as a fun part in game play the players are suppose to solve by themselves. What fun is in rolling one more die.......... So if they cannit solve a puzzle one their own - so be it.
That's pretty much how I have always handled it, why bother creating a fun (or tortuous) puzzle then just give them the answer. Although having seen Zimme's reply I think I'll try that next time. |
War to slay, not to fight long and glorious.
Aermhar of the Tangletrees
Year of the Hooded Falcon
Xysma's Gallery
Guide to the Tomes and Tales of the Realms download from Candlekeep
Anthologies and Tales Overviews
Check out my custom action figures, hand-painted miniatures, gaming products, and other stuff on eBay.
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Conlon
Learned Scribe
Canada
132 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2006 : 10:22:55
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In the case of a riddle, if the character has a very high INT or WIS, I will just have them roll a check and if they are succesful, then I give them a hint.
If the riddle/puzzle is in related in some way that the character would have a working knowledge of it, then they would recieve a bonus on their check. What is the point in playing a supra-genious with tons of skill points in knowledge, etc, when the guy playing the half-orc barbarian has an equal chance of figuring stuff out? I think you have to reward players who are playing the more cerebral types in these situations. Of course, I make the characters work hard to figure things out on their own before I start helping them. If someone is really working hard trying to figure things out and making good suggestions, then I will award them also, perhaps with xp. |
My hopes are ashes, my dreams are dust. All my intentions mean nothing unless they are followed by action. |
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Beowulf
Learned Scribe
Canada
322 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jan 2007 : 22:44:31
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As a general rule of thumb, I'd provide players with a high I.Q. character with greater and more accurate information.
This is also how I judge significant villains. Idiots are assumed to have little to no clue as to what is going on around them, or they may have a clue, but misinterpret their evidence, while those of godlike intellect are privy to a fair amount of DM knowledge. |
"Ill tempered the wretch, who laughs at everyone. He cannot recognize, as he should, that he is not without faults." the High One, Poetic Edda |
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Character vs Player Intelligence
