Post/Author/DateTime	Post
EggytheGreen 05-30-07, 10:55 AM	wondering what is the highest possible skill check that is possible for a level 1 character, assume human, 18 in relevant ability score, "take 10" on the check and more or less one of the standard classes thanks
Puca 05-30-07, 11:02 AM	Start with 4 ranks which is the most you can have. And, 18 is about the highest non-adjusted starting stat, (edit: oops. Human only) so, +4 from an ability is about as good as you can do. A really dedicated character could have Skill Focus, and a really, really dedicated human could also add one of those +2/+2 feats, so at best your modifier could be +13. So, taking ten, a dedicated human could get a 23 check to one skill, or get a lucky roll and score as high as 33.
The_wizard_Tim 05-30-07, 11:02 AM	I would say baring magic it would be 18= 10+4 ranks+ 4 stat bonus...
jaelis 05-30-07, 11:10 AM	But for your stated conditions (human, 18 ability score), your best modifier in general will be +4 (ranks) +4 (ability) +3 (ability focus feat) = +11, for a 21 check when you take 10. For most (but not all) skills you can take one of the dual skill feats for another +2. And in many cases you can get a masterwork tool to get a +2 circumstance bonus. Depending on the skill, other bonuses might apply too, like a barbarian's speed bonus to jump.
Nykidemus 05-30-07, 11:37 AM	You could also get a masterwork tool for an additional +2 bonus, but you'd likely have to spend all your money to afford one, and get a good gold roll to boot.
Enderlaand 05-30-07, 11:42 AM	A Human Druid with 18 Wis gets this without using any spells. 4 (ranks), +4 (wis), +3 (skill focus:Survival feat), +2 (Self-sufficient feat), +2 (druid),+2 (aid another) =17 Did I miss anything?
Snief 05-30-07, 11:46 AM	When you take a Warlock you could get a buff who brings you plus 6 on some skills. This bonus stacks with everything. (This buff is then your ownly invocation(something like a spell) beside of eldritch blast. That means it's totally balanced.). So with the stuff Puca told you and this buff, you could get a +19 on one skill. My favorite would be diplomacy. ;)
tui 05-30-07, 11:55 AM	Hmm... I can't find rules for a pole vault, but even without that you can get Jump pretty high: 1st Level Sorcerer: Take 10 Str 18=+4 4 Ranks=+4 Expeditious Retreat Spell=+12 Jump Spell=+10 Run Feat=+4 Skill Focus Feat=+3 Total=47 I think all those sources stack.
Knightblde 05-30-07, 12:39 PM	No one mentioned synergy bonuses With no spells, feats or items Take 10 Ability 4 Ranks 3 Total 17 Possible Modifers Synergy 2 Masterwork tools 2 Circumstance bonus 2 Help from Aid Another 2 Skill Focus 3 New Total 28 Also look under each skill for modifers commonly forgotten Listen and Spot both take -1 / 10' of distance. This is HUGE for sniping. Add spells and it changes a lot per spell and skill involved. Examples Alter Self for disguise Expiditious Retreat for Jump Spider Climb for Climb Invisibility for Hide And the list goes on and on
tui 05-30-07, 02:04 PM	No one mentioned synergy bonuses Synergy bonuses usually (always?) require 5 ranks, which you can't get at 1st level. Alter Self for disguise Spider Climb for Climb Invisibility for Hide Alter Self, Spider Climb, and Invisibility are all 2nd level spells, and thus not generally available to a 1st level character. (Although I suppose they may be able to afford some potions part way through 1st level.) Aid another is one I hadn't thought of... and generally gets overlooked much too often in games I play in.
Bedevere 05-30-07, 05:38 PM	Human Courtier, from (I think) the Oriental Adventures book. +4 stat +4 ranks +4 (i think) bonus to all social charisma based skills +6 skill focus (they get double effect from skill focus) +2 from another feat. This gives, with a take 10, a total of 30. In theory, masterworked equipment might be possible for an added +2. I dont have my books to hand atm, so cant check all the above numbers, or that everything is available at 1st level, so I've had to go from hazy memory. I'm sure someone will correct me if Im wrong. If not, then a wizard / psion. +4 stat +4 ranks +3 familiar / psicrystal bonus +3 skill focus +2 dual boosting feat. +2 masterworked tools Total with take 10 = 28
jadehawk 05-30-07, 05:54 PM	Hmm... I can't find rules for a pole vault, but even without that you can get Jump pretty high: 1st Level Sorcerer: Take 10 Str 18=+4 4 Ranks=+4 Expeditious Retreat Spell=+12 Jump Spell=+10 Run Feat=+4 Skill Focus Feat=+3 Total=47 I think all those sources stack. Yes, look at jump as the highest potential, especially later on but also at 1st level. I was going to post a barbarian with his fast movement at 1st level, but it is pretty obvious a spellcaster has the better bonuses.
Cariyaga 05-30-07, 06:06 PM	My favorite would be diplomacy. ;) Sadly, my friend's Level 5 Swashbuckler has a...(drumroll)...+23 on diplomacy. He recently got a super-hat. +5 on diplomacy. But still, that's awesome. He'll avoid any encounter with a sentient creature.