First off, let me say that I’m assuming that the words “ranks” and “points” are synonymous when talking about skills; if this is wrong, let me know.
Say I gain a level in Bard and my Int modifier is +3 (and I’m not a human nor is this class a favored class). I gain 9 skill points. I previously selected Knowledge (arcana) as the Knowledge skill to benefit from my Bardic Knowledge ability. So now I have 10 skill points, one of which is slated for Knowledge (arcana) already. Then I get another skill point for gaining a level, which brings me to 11 skill points, one already slated for Knowledge (arcana). And finally, half my level to all Knowledge checks and I can attempt them untrained.
Are they basically saying that Bards start off with 7 + Int modifier skill points per level (plus an additional one devoted to a single Knowledge skill)? Or am I missing something?
Bards gain (6 + Int modifier + 1 dedicated to a single knowledge skill) skillpoints/level. (+1 if it's your favored class and so on)
I don't know how you came to the idea of getting an additional skillpoint for gaining a level.
I don't know how you came to the idea of getting an additional skillpoint for gaining a level.
Because the ability says he does:
"He gains 1 bonus skill point to place in
that Knowledge skill and an additional skill point every
time he gains a level."
They're saying 6 + Int mod per level, plus 1 for a set Knowledge skill each level.
As an aside, I really like this method of resolving Bardic Knowledge. The prior table had always been overly vague in what exactly it told you, which gave DMs enough of an excuse to tell you virtually nothing.