Pathfinder 1E Pathfinder Leveling Up Procedure Question about Skill Points

[Aluvial]

Hello,

I have a Pathfinder rules question. I have started a blended 3.5/Pathfinder game, where we are using Pathfinder classes and skills. When characters level, I've gone with the rule that when you level up, you may only put one of your allotted skill point per skill. For example, six skill points means that you go up in rank by one, in six different skills.

I see now, that the rule is different, that you may put as many skill points in a skill, with a max value equal to the number of HD you have when you level.

I know that the 1 skill point, per skill, per level came from somewhere, but I have no idea how I came to that idea...

My question is, was my understanding and practice of the rule a holdover from a previous version of Pathfinder? Does anyone else recall this?

Thanks,

 

[Crothian]

I don't recall ever hearing that rule for 3e or Pathfinder.

 

[Kinak]

I think it's more that "one skill point per level" can be read the way you were thinking, but I don't think that was ever the intended rule for 3.x or Pathfinder. I've run into other groups using it that way, but it's always originated in a misunderstanding.

Quite a bit did change with skills between 3.x and Pathfinder, though. The changes to how class skills work and the skill list are the big ones. But remember favored class bonuses (if you're using them) and that gaining intelligence gives points retroactively now.

Cheers!
Kinak

 

[Vegepygmy]

My question is, was my understanding and practice of the rule a holdover from a previous version of Pathfinder? Does anyone else recall this?

Nope. That's never been a Pathfinder rule, nor did it appear in any previous edition. It could only have been a house rule or misunderstanding of the actual rules.

 

[Henry]

Nope. That's never been a Pathfinder rule, nor did it appear in any previous edition. It could only have been a house rule or misunderstanding of the actual rules.

Ditto - there might have also been a confusion because the skill rank rules are different between 3.x and Pathfinder -the "+3 ranks for class skills" vs. "+3 bonusfor class skills" rules change.

 

[Aluvial]

Here is what I wrote my group...

Hi,

Just to follow up with the skill points with leveling thing, the rule was probably not in an earlier version of the Pathfinder. It was likely based off the fact that at 1st level, you could only put 1 skill point in, because that was the max. So, that was why we have always had 1 skill point, per skill, per level.


So and so is right about the official version of the rule though, you may put in as many skill points as you are allotted, into any skill, so long as the ranks don't go above your HD.


But this doesn't sit well with me (and a lot of others on the boards). Essentially what it allows you to do is learn Kung Fu in one swoop (like Keanu getting uploaded in the Matrix).



If you go with one point, per skill, per level though, and you skip a level, then you can never make it up, and that's not right either.


So I propose that we set the limit at 2 skill points, per skill, per level, up to a max # of ranks equal to your HD. This way, you can make up the difference, though not all at once. No one just learns to master sneaking overnight. No one can learn arcana or crafting in one level's time.


It's a house rule again, but I think it is fair and consistent with a "reality" I want to maintain in the world.


With this, I can suggest a new addition to using Hero Points. You can use a hero point (even the new one you gain when you level) to assign two of your allotted skill points to any skill. This way, you could spend four of your skill points in a skill if you wanted, the two allowed, and two with the Hero Point.


There is also a way to RETRAIN your character, to reassign skills points. I would need to read more about this, but I know it takes XP to do this.



Okay! Hope you love it.

So, there you have it. 2 a skill per level. That way no one can "instantly" learn how to do something.

 

[Starfox]

My players generally choose to develop their skills much like you suggest, adding only one or a few skill points to each skill each level.Its never actually been a problem or required a rule.

If you dislike instantly learning skills, you might be dismayed to know that Int-boosting items do give skill ranks equal to your level in one or more skills, as decided when the item is created.