Skills at First Level [Archive] - Wizards Community

Skills at First Level [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
traidian
10-07-07, 04:03 PM Hello all,

I am new to D&D (as you will see from my basic question that follows). Reading the PHB, it appears that, at 1st level, you can only have 4 ranks in any skill at level 1. My question is, does this 'cap' the TOTAL modifier you can have at level 1, or just the number of skill points you can use. For example, my 1st level halfling rogue (original i know :) ) has a 17 dex (+3 mod), and I get a +4 racial modifier for halflings for the "Hide" skill. So, can I purchase 4 ranks in Hide for a total of +11 at level 1, or must I be content with the +4 to start, and then increase as I increase in levels? I feel like it is the former, because it would seem silly to get the racial and dex mods, but not be able to take advantage of them until later on.

Thanks for the help!

Traidian
Nom
10-07-07, 04:28 PM Just points. "Ranks" and "Modifier" are completely independent.

Thus, an elvish rogue could have at most 4 ranks in Search at level 1. However, he might also have 14 Int (+2), his racial bonus (+2), and the Skill Focus (Search) feat (+3) for a total modifier (or bonus) of +11.
Kouk
10-07-07, 07:40 PM Nom's right, Ranks are a separate issue. You are only capped in the number of Ranks you can train, not the total Modifier you can have.
traidian
10-10-07, 08:08 PM thanks for the help all! I really appreciate it. I figured that had to be it. The alternative was just silly :)

Regards,

Traidian
StevenO
10-10-07, 11:34 PM As noted your skill RANKS may be capped but the total modifier is not. It is all but impossible to have ranks exceeding Level +3 (for a class skill) which is why skill ranks, not modifier, is used to determine prerequisites for feats and prestige classes.
InkBlot
10-11-07, 02:33 AM Also keep in mind that skill ranks are not the same as skill points. For cross class skills (any skill not on the list of any of class you took) each skill point only gives you half a skill rank.

So a 5th level Fighter puts 8 skill points into Jump and 8 skill points into Tumble. He gets 8 ranks in Jump, but only 4 ranks in Tumble. This is because Tumble is not a class skill for Fighters.

Max ranks for cross class skills is also half that of class skills.
goawayugh
10-12-07, 08:01 AM Another point to note. When a PrC (prestige class) refers to having a certain number of ranks in a skill to qualify, it means actual ranks, not total modifier.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
traidian 10-07-07, 04:03 PM	Hello all, I am new to D&D (as you will see from my basic question that follows). Reading the PHB, it appears that, at 1st level, you can only have 4 ranks in any skill at level 1. My question is, does this 'cap' the TOTAL modifier you can have at level 1, or just the number of skill points you can use. For example, my 1st level halfling rogue (original i know :) ) has a 17 dex (+3 mod), and I get a +4 racial modifier for halflings for the "Hide" skill. So, can I purchase 4 ranks in Hide for a total of +11 at level 1, or must I be content with the +4 to start, and then increase as I increase in levels? I feel like it is the former, because it would seem silly to get the racial and dex mods, but not be able to take advantage of them until later on. Thanks for the help! Traidian
Nom 10-07-07, 04:28 PM	Just points. "Ranks" and "Modifier" are completely independent. Thus, an elvish rogue could have at most 4 ranks in Search at level 1. However, he might also have 14 Int (+2), his racial bonus (+2), and the Skill Focus (Search) feat (+3) for a total modifier (or bonus) of +11.
Kouk 10-07-07, 07:40 PM	Nom's right, Ranks are a separate issue. You are only capped in the number of Ranks you can train, not the total Modifier you can have.
traidian 10-10-07, 08:08 PM	thanks for the help all! I really appreciate it. I figured that had to be it. The alternative was just silly :) Regards, Traidian
StevenO 10-10-07, 11:34 PM	As noted your skill RANKS may be capped but the total modifier is not. It is all but impossible to have ranks exceeding Level +3 (for a class skill) which is why skill ranks, not modifier, is used to determine prerequisites for feats and prestige classes.
InkBlot 10-11-07, 02:33 AM	Also keep in mind that skill ranks are not the same as skill points. For cross class skills (any skill not on the list of any of class you took) each skill point only gives you half a skill rank. So a 5th level Fighter puts 8 skill points into Jump and 8 skill points into Tumble. He gets 8 ranks in Jump, but only 4 ranks in Tumble. This is because Tumble is not a class skill for Fighters. Max ranks for cross class skills is also half that of class skills.
goawayugh 10-12-07, 08:01 AM	Another point to note. When a PrC (prestige class) refers to having a certain number of ranks in a skill to qualify, it means actual ranks, not total modifier.