Helping a fighter pick up Use Magic Device ranks [Archive] - Wizards Community

Helping a fighter pick up Use Magic Device ranks [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
agnor550
12-11-07, 03:07 PM Hi guys,

The fighter in my group wants to be able to get more ranks in Use Magic Device. We're trying to figure out ways to help him gain ranks in the skill. He's willing to pay the cross-class cost for ranks, but we're trying to figure out some way to increase his maximum number of ranks beyond the cross-class limit, in order to give him a reasonable chance of success at using a device. Of course, if there's something that can eliminate the cross-class cost, and/or make it a class skill, that's even better.

We're trying to do it WITHOUT multiclassing (though I suppose a prestige class that still focuses on combat wouldn't hurt).

Any feats out there that come to mind?

Thanks a ton!
sevoac1
12-11-07, 04:26 PM Hi guys,

The fighter in my group wants to be able to get more ranks in Use Magic Device. We're trying to figure out ways to help him gain ranks in the skill. He's willing to pay the cross-class cost for ranks, but we're trying to figure out some way to increase his maximum number of ranks beyond the cross-class limit, in order to give him a reasonable chance of success at using a device. Of course, if there's something that can eliminate the cross-class cost, and/or make it a class skill, that's even better.

We're trying to do it WITHOUT multiclassing (though I suppose a prestige class that still focuses on combat wouldn't hurt).

Any feats out there that come to mind?

Thanks a ton!

If the fighter is human, they could take the Human Paragon class. All he would need is one level in it and name Use-Magic device as the adaptive skill then from that time on Use-Magic device would be a class skill whenever the fighter gains more fighter levels.

Then you could always take the feat skill focus (Use magic device) for a +3 bonus to it. If they don't have a Greater skill focus feat in any of the books, you can just make one where you need the Skill focus as the prerequisite and make that feat add a total of 5-6.
kuonji
12-12-07, 01:39 AM Skill focus(UMD) which has already been mentioned. Magical Aptitude will get you 2 more points.
InkBlot
12-12-07, 02:09 AM In Complete Mage there is a feat called Magic Device Attunement. It allows you to activate wands without Use Magic Device checks, so long as you've activated it once already that day. It only requires one solitary rank in Use Magic Device. It's intended for people who can't normally get a high UMD modifier.

So get that, and buff his skill modifier up in the morning when he attempts to attune the magic device. Eagle's Splendor and Inspire Competance add another +5, and the Fighter can have a +10 modifier by 7th level (+5 ranks, +3 Skill Focus, +2 Magical Aptitude) without counting his natural charisma.
Shadowfax7
12-12-07, 06:58 AM The feat Able Learner will help him as he will only have to spend 1 skill point/rank for cross-class skills.
dman11235
12-12-07, 09:26 AM But do note that it does not let you exceed the max ranks in skills. Try Skill Knowledge (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/buildingCharacters/alternativeSkillSystems.htm#skillKnowled ge) instead.
Artector
12-12-07, 09:36 AM I'd also suggest looking at the feat Open-Minded (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#openMinded) for the extra skill points to sink into it.

That+Skill Knowledge would let him get some pretty quickly.
Finarin Panjoro
12-12-07, 11:02 AM You'd have to house rule this in but I created a feat called Skill Emphasis. It is a fighter only feat that also gives the benefit of one of the +2/+2 skill boost feats. When you take Skill Emphasis you also choose the related +2/+2feat and in addition to the +2/+2 bonus those two skills become fighter class skills. You can only take Skill Emphasis once. (To clarify: you're only spending one feat here, not Skill Emphasis and a +2/+2 feat). If you use Skill Emphasis on a feat that boosts a skill that is already a fighter class skill it gives you a +3 bonus to that skill.

I created it because I felt there were too many warrior archetypes that could not be created using the fighter class, this feat exists to address that. So a sentinel would take Skill Emphasis: Alertness, a commando would take Skill Emphasis: stealthy, a mage hunter would take Skill Emphasis: Magical Aptitutde, a swashbuckler would take Skill Emphasis: acrobatic, a bounty hunter would take Skill Emphasis: Self Sufficient, a warrior king would take Skill Emphasis: Negotiator, and so on.

If you like this idea, it would completely solve your player's dilemma.
agnor550
12-12-07, 12:42 PM Hey everyone, thanks a ton for your help. I think we might be able to pull this off after all.
UAMDB
12-12-07, 03:18 PM There is also a feat from the players guide to Savage Tides. You can download it off of Pazio's website for free. It allows you to pick 3 Int or Chr based skills that now become class skills.

So you could take UMD, and two other useful skills.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
agnor550 12-11-07, 03:07 PM	Hi guys, The fighter in my group wants to be able to get more ranks in Use Magic Device. We're trying to figure out ways to help him gain ranks in the skill. He's willing to pay the cross-class cost for ranks, but we're trying to figure out some way to increase his maximum number of ranks beyond the cross-class limit, in order to give him a reasonable chance of success at using a device. Of course, if there's something that can eliminate the cross-class cost, and/or make it a class skill, that's even better. We're trying to do it WITHOUT multiclassing (though I suppose a prestige class that still focuses on combat wouldn't hurt). Any feats out there that come to mind? Thanks a ton!
sevoac1 12-11-07, 04:26 PM	Hi guys, The fighter in my group wants to be able to get more ranks in Use Magic Device. We're trying to figure out ways to help him gain ranks in the skill. He's willing to pay the cross-class cost for ranks, but we're trying to figure out some way to increase his maximum number of ranks beyond the cross-class limit, in order to give him a reasonable chance of success at using a device. Of course, if there's something that can eliminate the cross-class cost, and/or make it a class skill, that's even better. We're trying to do it WITHOUT multiclassing (though I suppose a prestige class that still focuses on combat wouldn't hurt). Any feats out there that come to mind? Thanks a ton! If the fighter is human, they could take the Human Paragon class. All he would need is one level in it and name Use-Magic device as the adaptive skill then from that time on Use-Magic device would be a class skill whenever the fighter gains more fighter levels. Then you could always take the feat skill focus (Use magic device) for a +3 bonus to it. If they don't have a Greater skill focus feat in any of the books, you can just make one where you need the Skill focus as the prerequisite and make that feat add a total of 5-6.
kuonji 12-12-07, 01:39 AM	Skill focus(UMD) which has already been mentioned. Magical Aptitude will get you 2 more points.
InkBlot 12-12-07, 02:09 AM	In Complete Mage there is a feat called Magic Device Attunement. It allows you to activate wands without Use Magic Device checks, so long as you've activated it once already that day. It only requires one solitary rank in Use Magic Device. It's intended for people who can't normally get a high UMD modifier. So get that, and buff his skill modifier up in the morning when he attempts to attune the magic device. Eagle's Splendor and Inspire Competance add another +5, and the Fighter can have a +10 modifier by 7th level (+5 ranks, +3 Skill Focus, +2 Magical Aptitude) without counting his natural charisma.
Shadowfax7 12-12-07, 06:58 AM	The feat Able Learner will help him as he will only have to spend 1 skill point/rank for cross-class skills.
dman11235 12-12-07, 09:26 AM	But do note that it does not let you exceed the max ranks in skills. Try Skill Knowledge (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/buildingCharacters/alternativeSkillSystems.htm#skillKnowled ge) instead.
Artector 12-12-07, 09:36 AM	I'd also suggest looking at the feat Open-Minded (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#openMinded) for the extra skill points to sink into it. That+Skill Knowledge would let him get some pretty quickly.
Finarin Panjoro 12-12-07, 11:02 AM	You'd have to house rule this in but I created a feat called Skill Emphasis. It is a fighter only feat that also gives the benefit of one of the +2/+2 skill boost feats. When you take Skill Emphasis you also choose the related +2/+2feat and in addition to the +2/+2 bonus those two skills become fighter class skills. You can only take Skill Emphasis once. (To clarify: you're only spending one feat here, not Skill Emphasis and a +2/+2 feat). If you use Skill Emphasis on a feat that boosts a skill that is already a fighter class skill it gives you a +3 bonus to that skill. I created it because I felt there were too many warrior archetypes that could not be created using the fighter class, this feat exists to address that. So a sentinel would take Skill Emphasis: Alertness, a commando would take Skill Emphasis: stealthy, a mage hunter would take Skill Emphasis: Magical Aptitutde, a swashbuckler would take Skill Emphasis: acrobatic, a bounty hunter would take Skill Emphasis: Self Sufficient, a warrior king would take Skill Emphasis: Negotiator, and so on. If you like this idea, it would completely solve your player's dilemma.
agnor550 12-12-07, 12:42 PM	Hey everyone, thanks a ton for your help. I think we might be able to pull this off after all.
UAMDB 12-12-07, 03:18 PM	There is also a feat from the players guide to Savage Tides. You can download it off of Pazio's website for free. It allows you to pick 3 Int or Chr based skills that now become class skills. So you could take UMD, and two other useful skills.