Character Creation Queries


Rules Questions


Hi folks,

Brand new to Pathfinder and have just started to roll characters with my group. I am using pen n paper to roll and them adding them to Hero Lab to cross check what I've done. This has raised a few queries. I'd appreciate it greatly if someone could shove me in the right direction on these!

1. Paladin gets no spells until L5? My character has taken spellcraft and Im thinking it pointless until he levels a little?

2. There are class skills and general skills. If they have no rank in say acrobatics they still can use their ability modifier? For example they have a high DEX (17) so get +3. So without a rank they could try and get +3 to the roll but if they take a rank it would be +4?

3. Still on skills, As Craft is a class skill I understand they get 3 ranks if they take it? So I assume it is 3 + the 1 taken = 4 + ability mod? I ask as Hero Lab is showing Craft as +3 and if I add the rank it makes it 7.

4. Negative ranks. Another character has 9 INT (-1). As they get skills of 2 + int modifier would they therefore get 1 skill rank?

That's it so far, I'm sure to have more, but thanks in advance.


Hello and welcome! I (and others who may post before I finish) are happy to help you understand your questions. I will say that I don't know the beginner box specifically, so if I reference something you've never heard of (like the skill Use Magical Device), it is because it is only in the full game and don't worry about it.

1 - Correct, because they are primarily martial in nature, they get less spells. The trade off is that their level 1 spells (at level 5) are stronger than a cleric's level 1 spells. Spellcraft has nothing to do with casting spells; it has to do with understanding spells and spell casting stuff (like identifying what an enemy just cast, figuring out what buff is on a guy, etc).

2 - Mostly yes. Some skills are trained only, like disable device (pick locks). You can't actually do anything with the skill until you put a point of training in it. You don't need to be trained in acrobatics; you just count the roll at +Modifier with +0 ranks.

3 - Yes; a class skill provides a bonus +3 as soon as you put a point of training into it. Now, these are not bonus ranks; you still only have 1 rank, you just get a +3 training bonus.

4 - Yes; with a minimum of 1 rank per level, I believe.

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