Do competence bonuses stack or overlap?


Pathfinder First Edition General Discussion

Silver Crusade

was wondering if multiple Bards Inspire Courage (Su) stack?


I'd say no. Same bonus types don't normally stack, though competence bonuses can be an exception to that. But the source of the bonus is going to be the same bardic music ability every time, which negates the possibility of stacking. Otherwise, I could turn 1st level commoners into gods of war by gathering up a bardic orchestra.

Shadow Lodge

From the PRD wrote:
A competence bonus (or penalty) affects a character's performance of a particular task, as in the case of the bardic ability to inspire competence. Such a bonus may apply on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, caster level checks, or any other checks to which a bonus relating to level or skill ranks would normally apply. It does not apply on ability checks, damage rolls, initiative checks, or other rolls that aren't related to a character's level or skill ranks. Multiple competence bonuses don't stack; only the highest bonus applies.

So no, they do not stack. As a fun side-note though, at least Heroism and Inspire Courage stack now (they didn't in 3.x as both were morale bonuses).

Silver Crusade

Thanks Guys!

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