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Pathfinder Question re:skill points w/ neg int mod

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 7:50 pm
by Shurijo
If a character has a negative INT modifier, how do you calculate skill points per level?

I've seen some people say that negative modifiers are ignored, so a fighter with 2 + INT mod, will get 2 skill points per level. However, I can't find the rule that states that. I know it's not possible to get negative skill points per level (in the case of a -3 INT mod for fighter which would be 2 - 3 = -1).

Does anyone know if there's a ruling on this?

thanks

Re: Pathfinder Question re:skill points w/ neg int mod

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 8:15 pm
by Vardaen
According to the SRD (and likely the book then)

You apply your character's Intelligence modifier to:

The number of bonus languages your character knows at the start of the game. These are in addition to any starting racial languages and Common.
If you have a penalty, you can still read and speak your racial languages unless your Intelligence is lower than 3.

The number of skill points gained each level, though your character always gets at least 1 skill point per level.

Appraise, Craft, Knowledge, Linguistics, and Spellcraft checks.

Re: Pathfinder Question re:skill points w/ neg int mod

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 8:17 pm
by Vardaen
To go along with is, if you raise your INT through leveling and gain another +1 Int Mod you retroactively join skill points going backwards back to first level even.

Re: Pathfinder Question re:skill points w/ neg int mod

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 8:29 pm
by Shurijo
So a -3 INT fighter would get 1 skill point per level (2 - 3 = 1 min, 2 - 3 = 1 min + 1 human =2)?

Or would the -3 INT fighter get 3 skill points (2 + 1 (min) = 3, or 2 + 1 (min) + 1 (human) = 4)?

Or does the class base skill points and racial skill point bonuses get factored into the equation before the 1 minimum is calculated?

Re: Pathfinder Question re:skill points w/ neg int mod

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 8:42 pm
by Trogdor
I believe that your first calculation is correct. Your base skill points would be:

2 - 3 (Int penalty) = -1 (1 min) = 1 + 1 (human bonus point) = 2

At least that's how I read things.

Technically you could argue that the fighter would only get 1 SP:

2 - 3 (Int penalty) + 1 (human bonus point) = 0 (1 min) = 1

But I'd be kind and take the first interpretation.

Re: Pathfinder Question re:skill points w/ neg int mod

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 2:05 am
by Shurijo
After doing some more research on the matter, I spent yesterday combing through the Pathfinder threads. Today, I haven't found written proof yet, but I'm also leaning towards saying "favored class and human bonuses are added after you've calculated the per-level for your class".

I haven't found the actual rule saying favored class and racial bonuses are added after skill point calculation, but it seems to be more commonly implemented that way (the few times I saw the question answered.)

So a fighter with -2, -3, -4 int:

If non-human: 1 skill point per level
If non-human and uses favored class skill point: 2 skill points per level

If human: 2 skill points per level
If human and uses favored class skill point: 3 skill points per level

Re: Pathfinder Question re:skill points w/ neg int mod

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 2:11 am
by Trogdor
I would agree with your interpretation. At least that's the way I'd run it in one of my games.

Re: Pathfinder Question re:skill points w/ neg int mod

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 2:26 am
by Vardaen
See i would lean the other way, you are a human before you are a fighter.

You'd just add all the numbers simultaniously. If it's less than 1, then it goes to 1.

In char gen you go stats first, then race, then class...

Re: Pathfinder Question re:skill points w/ neg int mod

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 2:50 am
by Trogdor
But that extra SP is a racial benefit. You get it in place of other goodies you'd get if you were another race. Hmm, I was going to say that there's no other racial ability you lose for low stats, but that's not true. Some of the Gnome spellcasting gets lost if you have too low a Charisma.

I have to think on this.

Re: Pathfinder Question re:skill points w/ neg int mod

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 2:56 am
by Vardaen
Seems like to me, you just do the math all at once.

What if your INT went up a point, you'd retro actively apply those skills points, might still end up with < 1