How to do a non-intelligent Mage?

[SilvercatMoonpaw]

But you could also avoid that by making the change to a different arrangement an "affects all mages" Campaign Quality.  Then they can't choose.

[Crafty_Alex]

But you could also avoid that by making the change to a different arrangement an "affects all mages" Campaign Quality.  Then they can't choose.

That would be fine. My point is, letting the player choose on a case-by-case basis begs for min-maxing.

[SilvercatMoonpaw]

My point is, letting the player choose on a case-by-case basis begs for min-maxing.

So noted and exactly the sort of information I was looking for.

[Leif]

Imo the forum ought to collaborate on a feat that's agreeably fair. I don't see how letting a mage stack Cha is any different than a constitution-based martial artist. There has to be a way to make it mechanistically fair.

[Krensky]

At a minimum it should require Int 13, like all the other Attribute shifting tech,

[Foghorn]

I'd agree with the Int 13+ if you're switching from Int to another attribute, but I don't think you'd need that if you're switching the roles of all 3 as mentioned earlier

[paddyfool]

I'm not altogether keen on this idea, but something like this might be just about workable (cribbing from the AC):

Perceptive casting
Spellcasting Trick (Int 13+, Spellcasting 1+ ranks): When casting a spell, the character may substitute his Wisdom modifier in place of his Intelligence modifier when making this spellcasting check. 

Forceful casting
Spellcasting Trick (Int 13+, Spellcasting 1+ ranks): When casting a spell, the character may  substitute his Charisma modifier in place of his Intelligence modifier when making this spellcasting check. 

I was tempted to add a 1 spell point cost, but decided not to since you're already paying an opportunity cost (giving up the possibility of applying some other trick to the casting) for a fairly small benefit (outside of rather odd examples, such as, say, an Elf with Wis 20 and Int 13, who could gain +4 to the check, but similarly odd examples already stand for the melee and ranged equivalents).

[Sletchman]

Spellcasting Feat

Lore of the Soul
You've tapped into the ancient magic within all living things.
Prerequisites: Int 13+, Casting Level 1+
Benefit: When casting spells from the School of The Preserver you no longer need a Mages Pouch.  Further, a number of times per session equal to your starting Action Dice you may substitute your Charisma for your Intelligence when making a Spellcasting Check.  You must declare your use of this ability before rolling your check.


You could do 4 others too, if you felt inclined (I'd go with Str = Chaneller, Dex=Trickster, Con=Reaper, Wis=Seer for the others).

Or if you prefer:

Species Feats (Perhaps?  The only thing I wouldn't allow is them to be Spellcasting Feats)
_{Note: These have some tongue in cheek flavour, but I think the mechanics are sound (mostly because they are almost stolen wholesale from the Martial Arts feats).  The damage boost is because I always liked 3.5's Warmage more then the Sorcerer.  Plus the powergamers will totally take 14 variants of "kill that man", so it will come in super handy.}

Our Mages are Different
They broke the mould when you were made.
Prerequisites: Cha 13+, Casting Level 1+
Benefit: Your spells deal 2 extra points of damage (if applicable).  Additionally choose one attribute, this attribute is used in place of Charisma when calculating the DC of your spells Saving Throw (if applicable).

Mono-Stat Magery!
Some call you a munchkin, but you can't hear them over the sound of how awesome you are...
Prerequisites: Int 13+, Our Mages are Different
Benefit: Your spells deal 2 additional points of damage (total +4, when applicable).  Additionally, the attribute chosen in Our Mages are Different is now the key attribute for your Spellcasting Checks (in Place of Intelligence).  Finally, all you are Reviled by all other Mages who do not possess this feat.