Post/Author/DateTime	Post
bjorsa 03-12-08, 06:07 AM	Sometimes there are skill prerequisites to qualify for a PrC and those always seem to refer to ranks. Is there any way to increase ranks in a skill except for leveling? Thanks!
zeratulcraft 03-12-08, 06:43 AM	No, nothing gives rank maximum increases aside leveling, the point of this is those prc's are balanced on a minimum entry level.
jaelis 03-12-08, 10:52 AM	Well, there are the PHB2 retraining rules. But that just lets you move skill points from one skill to another, probably not what you're looking for.
mplindustries 03-12-08, 02:31 PM	There is a stupid feat from I think cityscape that lets you increase the maximum ranks for one skill by 1. Not really worth it at all. In case you haven't noticed, the skill ranks required for prestige classes are designed to force you into not taking them until after 5th level. There are a few exceptions of poorly planned prestige classes (For example: Church Inquisitor after 3rd, Ordained Champion after 4th), but the vast majority must be, at best, your 6th level. Its sort of a core concept and you really shouldn't change it.
Tordak 03-12-08, 03:33 PM	This is a house rule, but we have allowed skill focus to add ranks to your skill instead of on giving you a bonus to the check, and allowed it to bust the maximum rank per level in the process, which mean you can qualify for feat and PrC faster, for example if the required skill is cross-class. On the off chance the the PC would qualify for a PrC before level 6 we'd simply require the character to be at least level 5 before entering a PrC. It's a pretty simple rule that has worked pretty well. This actually make the skill focus feat a bit better.
zerombr 03-12-08, 11:09 PM	as I recall, skill focus counts towards prereqs for skills.
StevenO 03-13-08, 12:34 AM	There may be a potential loop-hole with a feat in Cityscape but just like BAB and base Saves there is no way to increase your maximum skill ranks besides levelling. The reason BAB and skill ranks are used as prereqs instead of "maximum attack bonus" or skill modifier is because they are tied directly to class levels.
risner 03-13-08, 12:48 AM	Sometimes there are skill prerequisites to qualify for a PrC and those always seem to refer to ranks. Is there any way to increase ranks in a skill except for leveling? Thanks! Only one way, a two feat chain that allows you to gain 1 skill rank in a skill and exceed your minimum. So by 3rd level, you can have 7 ranks in one skill if you have spent your 1st level and 3rd level feats on it. It is in Cityscape iirc. as I recall, skill focus counts towards prereqs for skills. False.
Malicea 03-13-08, 06:57 AM	Reading the Codex Anathema (Lords of Madness) gives you 5 actual ranks in Knowledge (Dungeoneering), and 2 ranks in each of Knowledge (Arcana) and (The Planes), among other things. It doesn't explicitly say you can exceed the maximum skill ranks in those skills however, so it may be that they are still capped at the maximum for your level.
Dheran 03-14-08, 03:05 PM	as I recall, skill focus counts towards prereqs for skills. You recall incorrectly. Only actual skill ranks can satisfy feat prerequisites.
Cifer 03-14-08, 10:50 PM	Reading the Codex Anathema (Lords of Madness) gives you 5 actual ranks in Knowledge (Dungeoneering), and 2 ranks in each of Knowledge (Arcana) and (The Planes), among other things. It doesn't explicitly say you can exceed the maximum skill ranks in those skills however, so it may be that they are still capped at the maximum for your level. Of course, getting access to that one likely means you're already high level enough for PrCs anyway...
dman11235 03-14-08, 11:50 PM	Also: Open Minded (SRD + XPH + CAdv). +5 skill points. This is what I believe the OP was asking about, not increasing max ranks. Increasing skill points. Permanent int boost (headband doesn't work). Nymph's Kiss (BoED) gives you more skills per level.
kamronshepard 03-16-08, 06:38 AM	You could ask your DM to waive or increase max ranks per level.