Hello. I'm in the process of making stat blocks for all of the critters that can be summoned using Summon Nature's Ally I. I'm stuck at Centipede, and have a skill point question.
Their skills are Climb+10, Perception+4 & Stealth+10.
They get racial mod's: +4 Perception, and +8 Stealth. Combine the +8 to Stealth with a Dex Mod of +2 and that covers those two skills. Turning to Climb, they get a +8 for having a Climb speed but then I'm not sure how the rest adds up to +10. I've come up with a few solutions, let me know which is most likely:
1) They get to use their Dex Mod to Climb checks instead of Str Mod, and are the type of vermin who get no skill points. This would mean they have a modifier of +10 to Climb.
2) They get one skill point, but since no skills are class skills for Vermin they don't get the bonus +3. Next, they then take a -1 penalty to Climb because of their Str9. This would give them a final modifier of +8 to Climb.
3) They get no skill points and like most critters, use their Str for Climb checks. This nets them a final Climb mod of +7.
My assumption is to go with solution 1, since that adds up to the published "Climb+10", even though the Bestiary does not specifically say that they can use Dex for Climb checks*; but I was hoping to get one of the Paizo Golems to answer officially. The reason for this is that there are 6 other sizes of Centipede and I will at some point want to stat block them. I really like the name "Hissing Centipede" and can't wait to toss one at my players.....!
*Further evidence is that Weapon Finesse is listed as a bonus feat and they get no other feats. The skill-less type of vermin are also featless, so this would support the idea that even the Titan Centipede will have no skill points or feats.
