What do you do with extra skill points? [Archive] - Wizards Community

What do you do with extra skill points? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
WaffleCop
03-03-08, 07:47 PM Can you save them?
zeratulcraft
03-03-08, 07:54 PM No, they are lost if you do not spend them.
toucanbuzz
03-04-08, 09:36 AM Correct. From the SRD: You can’t save skill points to spend later.
Oliver D'Argent
03-06-08, 06:59 AM If you somehow actually have skill points left over after maxing out the ranks in the class skills you want, spend them on useful cross-class skills.
Bloodsoul
03-06-08, 07:15 AM At one point I ended up spending left over skill points on Speak Language for my barbarian. Good thing he already had literacy. http://www.rjmwhittaker.com/redneck.gif
Shaggy_Shaggs
03-06-08, 07:38 AM Balance is always a good skill to invest in, even if it's cross-class and you won't normally be using it. Anything with sneak attack will eat you alive if it shows up while you're in a precarious position and don't have at least 5 ranks in the skill (balancing without that many ranks = denied Dex bonus).
UAMDB
03-06-08, 03:36 PM Left over skill points is the same thing as Bigfoot. There myths. You can never have too many skill points.
Nathreet
03-06-08, 03:47 PM ^ +1. Read up on the skill descriptions and see which one you need most. Even if it's cross class. Speak language is handy. Tumble is one of the most versatile. Spot/listen are always useful. Bluff is good, and provides bonuses to many other skills. For many other skills it's good to get at least enough to handle minor obstacles. Like climb, jump, balance and swim.
ToastedAmphibian
03-06-08, 04:41 PM Skill Tricks!
Mad_Jack
03-06-08, 08:20 PM Heal.

Everybody can make use of a point or two in Heal - the cleric shouldn't be the only one who can bind wounds, and if you're johnny-on-the-spot when somebody goes down and the cleric's on the other side of the room, it doesn't do ya much good to try to save the guy if you don't know what you're doing.
Rebel7284
03-07-08, 04:16 AM Skill Tricks!

seconded.
Arminel
03-07-08, 04:26 AM Most things are already thought of, but here are my favorites:

Autohyponosis - Very useful skill, trained only, especially if you're a wisdom-based class like a Cleric, Monk, or Druid.
Disable Device - Best skill my wizard took cross-class, trained only. Get a tool, good Intelligence, the sky is the limit.
Knowledge (Any) - Knowing is half the battle, trained only. Got a few points? Take a few knowledge skills.
Sense Motive - Oily little sneaks will have a tougher time fooling you.
Skill Tricks - They have them for every type of folk.
Speak Language - Diplomacy ain't worth a damn if you can't speak their language.
Tumble - Trained only, good for moving around and avoiding movement-based AoOs.
Use Magic Device - You need at least 1 rank to use it, might as well.
elonin
03-07-08, 07:17 AM I'd disagree with only putting 1 rank in use magic device. My thought is that is an all or nothing skill. Don't forget about the mishaps.
InkBlot
03-07-08, 11:21 AM You never have to worry about mishaps if you know the command words for your wands. Just don't try to use magic devices that you haven't had identified, or that you didn't buy yourself. Mishaps only happen if you try to activate a device blindly.
elonin
03-07-08, 12:26 PM For a coherent discussion let's talk about the rogue with UMD. First having played many skill monkey rogues (using dex, int, then con as primary) there are never enough skill points. For UMD on a wand, mishaps happen @ -10. Many DM's have intrepreted the rules in a way that until you've used the wand (ie literally know the wand) instead of just been told you get the -5 modifier. I'd personally allow a rogue who used an item of detect magic and made the spell craft check to start without the -5. So for first use the check is ranks 1+cha (perhaps)2-5 activate blindly= -2. Since there are no auto sucesses or failures on skill checks you can't succede. Also, on a roll of less than 13 a mishap occurs. Believe me I wish that UMD were easier to use.
ashmanonar
03-07-08, 12:58 PM Can you save them?

Extra skill points? What are those?

I don't really know what you're talking about. I'm a multiclassed fighter/fighter-like prestige class/cleric.

I have no extra skill points.
angryscrub
03-08-08, 11:01 AM i totally agree, no such thing as extra skill points. skills are a bottomless resource, and if you think there's no skills you want, you're not considering closely enough. i've rolled up human rogues with 18int, and still wished i had more skill points. to add to what some others have suggested:

swim - seriously, i know it's been mentioned, but yeah. learn how to swim. it only took one incident when my dm dumped my nonswimming fully armored character in a pool of water to learn this lesson. max it out. i'm serious.

ride - the sad truth is sometimes you need to run away really fast. horsies run faster than you, and if you're running away, you do not want to fall off said horsie.

survival - after a hard day of running away, with not much but your mount and your sword, you'll probably be hungry. wouldn't it be nice if you could find something to eat? besides your mount that is. also, where the hell are you?

perform - you've just had a nice meal of roots and grubs, and are trying to figure out how to find the rest of your companions. perhaps this fine group of kobolds that has surrounded you has some ideas. good thing kobolds love singers. they do love singers, right?
herrdoktor
03-08-08, 11:19 PM ignore
herrdoktor
03-08-08, 11:19 PM Extra skill points? What are those?

I don't really know what you're talking about. I'm a multiclassed fighter/fighter-like prestige class/cleric.

I have no extra skill points.

geez, i've a rogue/factotum with 20+ int and I don't have enough skill points (well, mainly, i'd prefer more....)
tharivol266
03-08-08, 11:32 PM max out craft(basket weaving) and Knowledge(cheese) cant go wrong
Mad_Jack
03-09-08, 04:28 AM max out craft(basket weaving) and Knowledge(cheese) cant go wrong

If you max out your knowledge (cheese) skill, you can hang out on the CharOp board.... :D
ohako79
03-09-08, 05:49 PM My warforged artificer was taking Int as his boosted ability, so by 8th level on I could take an extra cross-class rank in Perform (keyboard)

1. Thinking about a character with 6 extra-wide fingers learning to play the piano? Funny.
2. When it becomes time to ravage the earth with my homemade floating fortress? I prefer to control the whole with a giant organ, a la Steamboy.
3. I could take a level in bard, and inspire people to kill (others!) with my 'combat accordion'.

Sadly that PC had to retire just a little bit after hitting 8th level. Oh well.
Carpe Diem
03-09-08, 06:52 PM Well, my Paladin was intelligent enough to take Able Learner so that I would be able to double the ranks I put into cross-class skills. By 20th level, I had 5 ranks in almost all of them (including the psionic skills) and raised the key skills up to max. If you put 5 ranks into a bunch of skills, you get synergy bonuses to all your stuff and you never know when that sorda thing comes up. I ended up being the loremaster because the rest of the party were melee characters as well, so I had all the knowledges and spellcraft and whatever we needed.

If that doesn't interest you, I third the skill tricks motion. They're in Complete Scoundrel, and it's nice to have almost all of them if you're not sure what to do with your skills.
Shiftkitty
03-09-08, 07:10 PM A couple of my guys like to use skill points that they can't figure out what to do with by tossing them inot skills that round out the character as a person more. Craft skills that may not seem particularly valuable in a dungeon at lower levels sometimes become great life-saving springboards later on. Knowing how to make a decent water craft can be handy when you're trying to avoid cutting through enemy territory and your only shortcut is across a lake. A blacksmith can make knives and axes (but it takes a swordsmith to make a sword) and fab up other metal gear, like wagon parts, and who couldn't use a cook to make a good, delicious meal? (Good food versus trail rations increases benefits of a good rest in my game).
Death1942
03-10-08, 03:38 AM why do you have spare skill points?

i'm a rogue and i find it hard to pick which skills i should take...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
WaffleCop 03-03-08, 07:47 PM	Can you save them?
zeratulcraft 03-03-08, 07:54 PM	No, they are lost if you do not spend them.
toucanbuzz 03-04-08, 09:36 AM	Correct. From the SRD: You can’t save skill points to spend later.
Oliver D'Argent 03-06-08, 06:59 AM	If you somehow actually have skill points left over after maxing out the ranks in the class skills you want, spend them on useful cross-class skills.
Bloodsoul 03-06-08, 07:15 AM	At one point I ended up spending left over skill points on Speak Language for my barbarian. Good thing he already had literacy. http://www.rjmwhittaker.com/redneck.gif
Shaggy_Shaggs 03-06-08, 07:38 AM	Balance is always a good skill to invest in, even if it's cross-class and you won't normally be using it. Anything with sneak attack will eat you alive if it shows up while you're in a precarious position and don't have at least 5 ranks in the skill (balancing without that many ranks = denied Dex bonus).
UAMDB 03-06-08, 03:36 PM	Left over skill points is the same thing as Bigfoot. There myths. You can never have too many skill points.
Nathreet 03-06-08, 03:47 PM	^ +1. Read up on the skill descriptions and see which one you need most. Even if it's cross class. Speak language is handy. Tumble is one of the most versatile. Spot/listen are always useful. Bluff is good, and provides bonuses to many other skills. For many other skills it's good to get at least enough to handle minor obstacles. Like climb, jump, balance and swim.
ToastedAmphibian 03-06-08, 04:41 PM	Skill Tricks!
Mad_Jack 03-06-08, 08:20 PM	Heal. Everybody can make use of a point or two in Heal - the cleric shouldn't be the only one who can bind wounds, and if you're johnny-on-the-spot when somebody goes down and the cleric's on the other side of the room, it doesn't do ya much good to try to save the guy if you don't know what you're doing.
Rebel7284 03-07-08, 04:16 AM	Skill Tricks! seconded.
Arminel 03-07-08, 04:26 AM	Most things are already thought of, but here are my favorites: Autohyponosis - Very useful skill, trained only, especially if you're a wisdom-based class like a Cleric, Monk, or Druid. Disable Device - Best skill my wizard took cross-class, trained only. Get a tool, good Intelligence, the sky is the limit. Knowledge (Any) - Knowing is half the battle, trained only. Got a few points? Take a few knowledge skills. Sense Motive - Oily little sneaks will have a tougher time fooling you. Skill Tricks - They have them for every type of folk. Speak Language - Diplomacy ain't worth a damn if you can't speak their language. Tumble - Trained only, good for moving around and avoiding movement-based AoOs. Use Magic Device - You need at least 1 rank to use it, might as well.
elonin 03-07-08, 07:17 AM	I'd disagree with only putting 1 rank in use magic device. My thought is that is an all or nothing skill. Don't forget about the mishaps.
InkBlot 03-07-08, 11:21 AM	You never have to worry about mishaps if you know the command words for your wands. Just don't try to use magic devices that you haven't had identified, or that you didn't buy yourself. Mishaps only happen if you try to activate a device blindly.
elonin 03-07-08, 12:26 PM	For a coherent discussion let's talk about the rogue with UMD. First having played many skill monkey rogues (using dex, int, then con as primary) there are never enough skill points. For UMD on a wand, mishaps happen @ -10. Many DM's have intrepreted the rules in a way that until you've used the wand (ie literally know the wand) instead of just been told you get the -5 modifier. I'd personally allow a rogue who used an item of detect magic and made the spell craft check to start without the -5. So for first use the check is ranks 1+cha (perhaps)2-5 activate blindly= -2. Since there are no auto sucesses or failures on skill checks you can't succede. Also, on a roll of less than 13 a mishap occurs. Believe me I wish that UMD were easier to use.
ashmanonar 03-07-08, 12:58 PM	Can you save them? Extra skill points? What are those? I don't really know what you're talking about. I'm a multiclassed fighter/fighter-like prestige class/cleric. I have no extra skill points.
angryscrub 03-08-08, 11:01 AM	i totally agree, no such thing as extra skill points. skills are a bottomless resource, and if you think there's no skills you want, you're not considering closely enough. i've rolled up human rogues with 18int, and still wished i had more skill points. to add to what some others have suggested: swim - seriously, i know it's been mentioned, but yeah. learn how to swim. it only took one incident when my dm dumped my nonswimming fully armored character in a pool of water to learn this lesson. max it out. i'm serious. ride - the sad truth is sometimes you need to run away really fast. horsies run faster than you, and if you're running away, you do not want to fall off said horsie. survival - after a hard day of running away, with not much but your mount and your sword, you'll probably be hungry. wouldn't it be nice if you could find something to eat? besides your mount that is. also, where the hell are you? perform - you've just had a nice meal of roots and grubs, and are trying to figure out how to find the rest of your companions. perhaps this fine group of kobolds that has surrounded you has some ideas. good thing kobolds love singers. they do love singers, right?
herrdoktor 03-08-08, 11:19 PM	ignore
herrdoktor 03-08-08, 11:19 PM	Extra skill points? What are those? I don't really know what you're talking about. I'm a multiclassed fighter/fighter-like prestige class/cleric. I have no extra skill points. geez, i've a rogue/factotum with 20+ int and I don't have enough skill points (well, mainly, i'd prefer more....)
tharivol266 03-08-08, 11:32 PM	max out craft(basket weaving) and Knowledge(cheese) cant go wrong
Mad_Jack 03-09-08, 04:28 AM	max out craft(basket weaving) and Knowledge(cheese) cant go wrong If you max out your knowledge (cheese) skill, you can hang out on the CharOp board.... :D
ohako79 03-09-08, 05:49 PM	My warforged artificer was taking Int as his boosted ability, so by 8th level on I could take an extra cross-class rank in Perform (keyboard) 1. Thinking about a character with 6 extra-wide fingers learning to play the piano? Funny. 2. When it becomes time to ravage the earth with my homemade floating fortress? I prefer to control the whole with a giant organ, a la Steamboy. 3. I could take a level in bard, and inspire people to kill (others!) with my 'combat accordion'. Sadly that PC had to retire just a little bit after hitting 8th level. Oh well.
Carpe Diem 03-09-08, 06:52 PM	Well, my Paladin was intelligent enough to take Able Learner so that I would be able to double the ranks I put into cross-class skills. By 20th level, I had 5 ranks in almost all of them (including the psionic skills) and raised the key skills up to max. If you put 5 ranks into a bunch of skills, you get synergy bonuses to all your stuff and you never know when that sorda thing comes up. I ended up being the loremaster because the rest of the party were melee characters as well, so I had all the knowledges and spellcraft and whatever we needed. If that doesn't interest you, I third the skill tricks motion. They're in Complete Scoundrel, and it's nice to have almost all of them if you're not sure what to do with your skills.
Shiftkitty 03-09-08, 07:10 PM	A couple of my guys like to use skill points that they can't figure out what to do with by tossing them inot skills that round out the character as a person more. Craft skills that may not seem particularly valuable in a dungeon at lower levels sometimes become great life-saving springboards later on. Knowing how to make a decent water craft can be handy when you're trying to avoid cutting through enemy territory and your only shortcut is across a lake. A blacksmith can make knives and axes (but it takes a swordsmith to make a sword) and fab up other metal gear, like wagon parts, and who couldn't use a cook to make a good, delicious meal? (Good food versus trail rations increases benefits of a good rest in my game).
Death1942 03-10-08, 03:38 AM	why do you have spare skill points? i'm a rogue and i find it hard to pick which skills i should take...