Does increased intelligence give extra languages?


Rules Questions


I can't find anywhere in the rules themselves that say "yes" and bonus language says "at the start of the game", but This statement by James Jacobs made me ask

"All bonuses are retroactive when an ability score increases, be they bonuses to damage, to skill ranks, to hit points, to saves, to skill checks... all of them"


While not the end all be all. IT does increase your languages in Hero Lab. If that helps.


Well, from my (and everyone I play with) understanding, you gain an additional language for every +1 Intelligence you have (so, every 2 points that go into Intelligence would give you another language).

So, from me personally, I'm pretty sure that yes you do. It wouldn't make sense otherwise because that follows the game mechanics and standard rules for increases to things.

Strength increases your Damage and Attack Bonus etc in that way, so Intelligence would increase your Skills and Languages. :)


Everything in Pathfinder has retroactive effects. Increase your con, your HP goes up as if it has always been that high. Increase your int, your skill points and languages known increase as well.


I agree, makes sense that it would. Keep in mind however, only bonus languages can be taken for free from intelligence so unless you are a Human you will eventually run out.


Does this mean that a +2 int item (headband forinstance) has a language attached to it, similar as for skills?

Liberty's Edge

arioreo wrote:
Does this mean that a +2 int item (headband forinstance) has a language attached to it, similar as for skills?

After you wear the item for 24 hours, its benefit is treated as a permanent increase. So, yes, after 24 hours of wearing the headband you would gain the retroactive skills and language (if I understand correctly).


Theconiel wrote:
arioreo wrote:
Does this mean that a +2 int item (headband forinstance) has a language attached to it, similar as for skills?

After you wear the item for 24 hours, its benefit is treated as a permanent increase. So, yes, after 24 hours of wearing the headband you would gain the retroactive skills and language (if I understand correctly).

Yes, but the skill bonuses you get are decided at the item creation. Not when you wear the item for 24 hours. Else, you can just take it off and get a new set of skills after 24 hours.

I assume the same goes for languages and maybe other things. Wonder if someone complied a list. languages are not in the description of the "Headband of Vast Intelligence"

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