Phael's page

Actually, yes it does. Knowledge (arcana) gives a synergy bonus to Truespeak. It says so in the book. Also, according to same book, any other Knowledge skill that the character has can grant an *additional* synergy bonus, if appropriate (the example used in Tome of Magic is Knowledge/Nature when used on a treant). So yes, I did do my numbers wrong--most of the time, it should be a +17.

Why do you think Truenamers have access to ALL knowledge skills as class skills?

And secondly, the Truename spell list is kind of crappy, I know, but remember: even Wizards (while good) weren't *amazing* until all the non-corebook spells were published and they had access to things like Love's Pain and the Locate City glitch. If Truenaming had been even slightly well received, more Truename "Utterances" would have been published, magic items added, etc.

Besides, Truename Utterances are almost entirely of the Gish variety--combine "Knight's Puissance" (+2 to melee attacks) with a good strength score, and you hit as often as a fighter at 1st level--and the thing is, 8 out of 10 utterances on the list DON'T OFFER SAVES. THAT'S what 70% means.

I am surprised by the fact that almost everyone on this blog assumes that the DCs for truespeak checks are ridiculous. If their formula is 15 + 2 x (HD) , then I see no such obstacle to an at least decent character.

Observe:

At 2nd level, a Truenamer has maxed ranks in Truespeak (one would assume)-- +5 bonus to check.

That Truenamer, were he/she to use Intelligence, might be a Gray Elf in order to obtain the +2 racial bonus to Intelligence, and then put an 18 in the ability stat for a total stat of 20-- +5 bonus to check.

The Gray Elf Truenamer, if he/she took Knowledge (arcana), which he or she ought to have, now benefits from a synergy bonus-- +2 to check.

Finally, our Truenamer chooses the feat Skill Focus (Truespeak) for their 1st level feat. +3 bonus to check.

Thus, at 2nd level, a character can have up to a +15 bonus on the one check that his/her class is based on, WITHOUT MAGICAL AID. Level-appropriate monsters should be affected by Utterances AT LEAST 70% of the time, which is AWESOME.

What's the problemses with Truename magic?