Post/Author/DateTime	Post
pres_man 01-29-04, 04:30 PM	I'm making a (riding/big) dog companion for my ranger and I'm having problems coming up with the skills in the MM. From what I can figure out, dogs should only have 5 skill points to (3+2HD). Yet they have the following skills: Jump: +8 = 4 (racial) + 2 (ability) + 2 (?) Listen: +5 = 1 (ability) + 4 (?) Spot: +5 = 1 (ability ) + 4 (?) Swim: +3 = 2 (ability) + 1(?) Survival: +1 = 1(ability) So there are a total of 11 points yet only 5 points that are available to be spent. Small dog's have a similiar problem 10 points yet only 4 to spend. Can someone help me understand where these other points came from?
Capn Charlie 01-29-04, 04:32 PM	Most of those aren't skill points. They are racial bonuses. That is the skill's total modifier, not it's ranks.
pres_man 01-29-04, 04:50 PM	I only saw the racial bonus for jump, where does it say there are other racial bonuses for dogs? But they do have the alertness feat, so there are two on listen and spot. Jump: +8 = 4 (racial) + 2 (ability) + 2 (?) Listen: +5 = 1 (ability) + 2 (feat) + 2 (?) Spot: +5 = 1 (ability ) + 2 (feat) + 2 (?) Swim: +3 = 2 (ability) + 1(?) Survival: +1 = 1(ability) That still leaves two to many skill ranks. I wonder if it is just a misprint and should be +4 on listen and spot.
Boondoggle 01-29-04, 07:20 PM	You are aware that the relevant ability modifiers are included in the total skill bonus, right?
sandskimmer 01-29-04, 09:34 PM	Jump: +8 = 4 (racial) + 2 (ability mod) + 2 (ranks) Listen: +5 = 1 (ability) + 2 (feat) + 2 (ranks) Spot: +5 = 1 (ability ) + 2 (feat) + 2 (ranks) Swim: +3 = 2 (ability) + 1(ranks) Survival: +1 = 1(ability) Total skill points = 7 Dog, riding (2 + Int mod, minimum 1, quadruple @ 1st HD) Int: 2 (-4) 1st HD (2 - 4) X4 = 4 2nd HD (2-4) = 1 Total skill points: 5 Hmmm. There does seem to be a descrepency (sp?).
pres_man 01-29-04, 10:51 PM	You are aware that the relevant ability modifiers are included in the total skill bonus, right? :uh-huh: Please look at my second response and notice that I have ability modifiers accounted for. Hmmm. There does seem to be a discrepancy Glad to see somebody isn't assuming I can't add (though I did over look the alertness at first:nonono: ). Also why does a riding dog's bite do 1d6 + 3. Shouldn't it only be 2 with a strength of 15?
the_heart 01-30-04, 06:32 AM	Originally posted by pres_man 3. Shouldn't it only be 2 with a strength of 15? [/B] not sure about the math, but this i can answer. if you only have a single natural attack (like a bite, but not 2 claws) you deal one and a half times your damage. it should be in the MM in the section on natural attacks. ah! found this in the SRD A creature’s primary attack damage includes its full Strength modifier (1-1/2 times its Strength bonus if the attack is with the creature’s sole natural weapon) and is given first. Secondary attacks add only 1/2 the creature’s Strength bonus and are given second in the parentheses.
Elenna 01-30-04, 12:56 PM	I have to agree. There seems to be a mistake in the dog/riding dog's skill points. I looked at the wolf, which has similiar stats, and the skill points add up correctly there. If I were running a campaign I'd lower some of the dog's skills. Either lower the spot and listen to +4 or lower the jump to +5 (+6 for riding dog).
pres_man 01-30-04, 03:59 PM	Thanks heart, I thought it might be something like that, but I must have kept overlooking it.