| 9 people marked this as FAQ candidate. Answered in the errata. 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
''Second, apply any ability score increases due to gaining a level.''
That rule is extremely unclear! All they say is that you get an ability score increase at level 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20, but the core rulebook doesn't even explain how it works. Do you just add one point to one ability like it was in D&D?
Do you just add one point to one ability like it was in D&D?Yes
Okay, thanks. It might be a good idea to put this in the errata (if it's not already done), 'cus if someone who never played D&D tries to understand this, he can't find that rule anywhere. Well, I couldn't, so if it actually IS written in the core rulebook, it's well hidden.
That's interesting.. I just went looking myself and nowhere that I can find either does it state that the increase is +1 to any ability score. Someone completely new to the game wouldn't know how much to add or to what score. The table on that page shows 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th "Ability Score" at every 4 levels but that's it.
An ability score increase to me is +1 unless otherwise specified. But that's just how my brain works. Other could be confused I guess.
I have to admit that I hate rules that are only found as an entry in a table and can't be found anywhere else.
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| 1 person marked this as FAQ candidate. |
Explained on page 53, but in the Animal Companion section.
So when we hit a new level we can add +2 to any ability score? I have looked in both erratas and still have not found an answer to this. On a side note, I am confused now about the companion's increase. Is it you can increase STR&DEX by +1 (at level 4) AND any ability by +1? OR is it STR&DEX by +1 OR any ability by +2? (Basically get two ability score increases to spread however wanted.)
Never played the old rules, Pathfinder is the only game I know.
If this is answered in another post, sorry for the confusion, I have marked this for FAQ.
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Explained on page 53, but in the Animal Companion section.So when we hit a new level we can add +2 to any ability score? I have looked in both erratas and still have not found an answer to this. On a side note, I am confused now about the companion's increase. Is it you can increase STR&DEX by +1 (at level 4) AND any ability by +1? OR is it STR&DEX by +1 OR any ability by +2? (Basically get two ability score increases to spread however wanted.)
Never played the old rules, Pathfinder is the only game I know.
If this is answered in another post, sorry for the confusion, I have marked this for FAQ.
Every 4 levels (4,8,12,16,20) you add +1 and any ability score. This can cause you to gain no skill points (if your int modifier goes up as a result), increase saves (if Dex, Wis, or Con modifiers go up) Melee attack and carrying capacity (if Str goes up), AC and ranged attack (if dex goes up). Basically just like if you used a spell that would increase your ability score, except these are permanent.
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Every 4 levels (4,8,12,16,20) you add +1 and any ability score. This can cause you to gain no skill points (if your int modifier goes up as a result), increase saves (if Dex, Wis, or Con modifiers go up) Melee attack and carrying capacity (if Str goes up), AC and ranged attack (if dex goes up). Basically just like if you used a spell that would increase your ability score, except these are permanent.Explained on page 53, but in the Animal Companion section.So when we hit a new level we can add +2 to any ability score? I have looked in both erratas and still have not found an answer to this. On a side note, I am confused now about the companion's increase. Is it you can increase STR&DEX by +1 (at level 4) AND any ability by +1? OR is it STR&DEX by +1 OR any ability by +2? (Basically get two ability score increases to spread however wanted.)
Never played the old rules, Pathfinder is the only game I know.
If this is answered in another post, sorry for the confusion, I have marked this for FAQ.
Every 4 levels (4,8,12,16,20) you add +1 to any ability score. This can cause you to gain skill points (if your int modifier goes up as a result), increase saves (if Dex, Wis, or Con modifiers go up) Melee attack and carrying capacity (if Str goes up), AC and ranged attack (if dex goes up). Basically just like if you used a spell that would increase your ability score, except these are permanent.
I corrected a couple of typos in your post.
Graywulfe
Great! Not that I don't believe you, but where is this located?
Page 30, under 'Advancing your character' (or PRD -> Classes -> Character Advancement -> Advancing your Character).
"Adding a level generally gives you new abilities, additional skill points to spend, more hit points, and possibly an ability score increase or additional feat (see Table 3–1).
(...)
Second, apply any ability score increases due to gaining a level."
Table 3.1 on the same page lists under 'Ability Score' a '1st', '2nd', '3rd', '4th' and '5th' respectively at 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and 20th level - meaning that you have an increase at those levels.
I agree that this is more cryptic for those who never played the 3.x Edition, though.
The ability score increase you get at 4th, 8th, and so on is +1 to one stat, just like in 3E.
I'll note it to be clarified in future printings of the Core Rulebook.
Although I guess if your DM is overly generous, he could always allow more than +1. :)
Although I guess if your DM is overly generous, he could always allow more than +1. :)
I allow a +1 to two stats at 8th and 16th in my games and +1 to one stat at 4th, 12th and 20th.
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Probably should go in the Homebrew section, but its related to this thread a little:
I give out extra Point Buy points. Formula is 1 point per level, with a bonus at levels 4/8/12/16/20. Points can be saved for an expensive purchase down the line. I also allow points to be spent as an immediate action if the PC really wants to mid combat.
The math comes up right if you were spiking a single stat (like a Caster stat), assuming you started with a 15. All your point buy points would go into spiking that stat, with very little (1 or 2 maybe) left over.
It also seems to work well with MAD characters. No really high scores, but several strong ones.
And it allows for the feeling of "growth" at lower levels, and I find it makes NPC or higher level PC creation much easier. 9th level PC? 15 point buy +10 = 25.
My main caution/self-criticism is that the ease of raising lower scores means characters can, if they choose to, increase their overall survivability (HP, saves, AC) fairly quickly (Con, Wis, Dex). But, they are sacrificing a higher primary stat to do so, so to me it all works out.
Although I guess if your DM is overly generous, he could always allow more than +1. :)I allow a +1 to two stats at 8th and 16th in my games and +1 to one stat at 4th, 12th and 20th.I give +2 to one Ability every 4 levels -- +1 just never made any sense.
This is what we do in our games as well as a HOUSE Rule, you can even split it up to even stats.
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This is what we do in our games as well as a HOUSE Rule, you can even split it up to even stats.Although I guess if your DM is overly generous, he could always allow more than +1. :)I allow a +1 to two stats at 8th and 16th in my games and +1 to one stat at 4th, 12th and 20th.I give +2 to one Ability every 4 levels -- +1 just never made any sense.
Do you realize that the post you replied to was six years old?
This is what we do in our games as well as a HOUSE Rule, you can even split it up to even stats.Although I guess if your DM is overly generous, he could always allow more than +1. :)I allow a +1 to two stats at 8th and 16th in my games and +1 to one stat at 4th, 12th and 20th.I give +2 to one Ability every 4 levels -- +1 just never made any sense.
Wouldn't it make more sense to give a +1 every 2 levels instead of +2 every 4 levels?
Same end, less time between pluses.
How do you folks think a +1 to all stats at levels 4, 8, et cetera work out? I don't like the idea that an 8 Charisma for being a confused teen lingers even as a 15th level conqueror.
If you're house ruling, I like that 1 point buy point every level. Not sure if I'll ever actually use it, but it sounds pretty good.
Just curious...was increasing TWO ABILITY SCORES by +1 at each 4th level deemed to powerful for the game Jacobs?
+1/2 levels, or +2 every 4 levels, results in potentially +10 by level 20, which would necessitate scaling back magical items to reach balance.
The proper way to do this was to make sure the ability scores didn't stack on your HIGHEST stat, so as not to imbalance things.
I give my Fighters, for example, +2 ability score points every 4 levels...+1 to their lowest physical stat, +1 to lowest mental stat. This is the result of the fact they train more then any other class. But since it adds to low stats, instead of piling on higher stats, it doesn't imbalance everything...AND it helps moderate crippling point buy and allow some progression in non-primary stats. IT also rewards people who don't dump a stat, since moderate stats progress to positive bonuses, and dumped stats basically eat these points up forever.
I do the same for Rogues. Monks are even better...+1 to lowest each Mental/Physical, then +1 to lowest. So monks result in the highest stats over time, which for such a MAD class is only sensible.
Casters just get +1 to lowest mental.
Non-fighter martials get +1 to lowest physical.