Non-Int Based Skill Points

[ntin]

I had a thought rather than make bonus skill points revolve around INT it is based off the attribute bonus to the skill. The basic skill points granted by class/race can be allocated to any skill, id est they are un-typed skill points. Some skills can be given two attributes bonus’ and you pick the higher so things like climb or swim can be STR/CON, knowledges INT/WIS, and so on while others like acrobatics or use magical device remain a single attribute skill. In such a proposal people who do dump point “x” will be at a penalty for gaining associated “x” bonus skills but someone like Krog the Orc barbarian with his good amount of strength will be proficient in climbing, swimming, and so on even though he may have only 7 int. It would also grant a greater breadth of skill points to characters that traditionally are limited to only a couple each level which would help build more thematic characters.

[wraithstrike]

It depends on what type of game you want to run. I think having someone limited as to what they can do is very realistic, but having a team of "jack of all trades" can also be fun. I have played in both types of games depending on the nature of the current running campaign either one can do, but I don't like it as a permanent rule because the skilled classes territory gets invaded to an extent.

[Lyrax]

I think this could be made to work quite well, although it might make character sheets complicated and too full of skill points.

I would definitely welcome the chance to make a skill-based character who had more Dex or Cha than Int, though.

[Nigrescence]

It doesn't seem like it would be too powerful, and in some ways it makes sense, but most importantly I think it would be fun and make for a more enjoyable game experience overall.

The way I would do it is to let every attribute give skill points. However, it can only give skill points toward a skill that is based on that attribute. For example, bonus skill points from STR can only be applied to STR skills. Bonus skill points from DEX can only be applied to DEX skills. Bonus skill points from CHA can only be applied to CHA skills. Bonus INT and WIS skill points can be spent on any skills, and class skill points can be spent on any class skills.

Any negatives in INT will reduce the skill points that you can gain from INT skill points. You CAN go down to 0 class skill points in this way, and I suggest this because there are still many skills a character can have if they choose to dump INT. You cannot get negative class skill points from a low WIS score, though, despite both being able to grant "universal" skill points.

On top of this, I might even suggest allowing a bonus in INT or WIS allowing a bonus selectable class skill. So if someone had a +1 INT and a +1 WIS, they could add 2 skills to their class skill list, but can spend the bonus skill points from INT and WIS on any skill they want.

Overall, my idea expands skills for classes, and applies some minor restrictions in return. It becomes more complex, but it's still fairly clear.

Thoughts, anyone?

[Mauril]

I think it entirely depends on the game that you are running. If you play mostly at low and mid-low levels (never over, say, level 9 or 10) then this adds a layer of complication that doesn't seem necessary. Your barbarian who is supposed to be good at climbing and swimming and other strength based things is going to have boosted his strength and gets to add every one of those points of strength bonus to those checks. The difference between a couple of skill ranks (assuming he invested at least one skill point for the initial +4) isn't that big of a deal.

Now, at mid-high and high levels, skill ranks far outstrip ability score bonuses in most cases. This is where low-Int, low-Skill classes end up losing out to high-Int and/or high-Skill classes. At this point, some sort of system allowing characters to mitigate that would be nice.

I would like to see a feat that allows you to, say, double your ability bonus in regards to skills. Maybe only let it apply to physical skills. Something like this:

Quote:

Feat: Natural Prowess
You are particularly skilled at physical tasks, seeming stronger and more nimble than normal.
Prerequisite: Character Level 6
Bonus: Double your Strength and Dexterity bonuses when applying them to skill checks and ability checks. If you have a penalty, do not double it when applying it to skill checks.

You might also see something like this:

Quote:

Feat: Natural Study
Your natural cunning has helped you figure out things about the world without the need for books.
Bonus: You may use your Wisdom modifier in place of your Intelligence modifier for Knowledge skills and Appraise.

[Abraham spalding]

I did a system once where at first level (and only at first level) you gained a number of extra skill points for each point of stat modifier you had which could only be spent in skills that were related to that stat.

So if you had:

14 str
15 dex
12 con
12 int
14 wis
16 cha

You would have 2 skill points for strength based skills, 2 for dex based skills, 1 for int based skills 2 for wisdom based skills and 3 for charisma based skills.

You still got your starting skills for your class but you didn't get your extra skill points from Int mod for first level (so if you were a rogue you wouldn't get 8 points but instead 6 and the above). The class skill points could be spent on any skill.