Hi, newbie to the game so sorry if this seems a dumb question.
When choosing which skills to put ranks in, as I understand it, if I put a rank in a non-class skill, I get a +1 bonus, if it's a class skill, I get a +3 bonus.
I understand that you can't put more ranks in a skill than levels you have. Levelling up a char is confusing me on this skill issue though.
let's say I have a paladin, and two skills I've gone for are acrobatics (non class - giving me a +1) and diplomacy (class- giving me a +3).
This palading gains a level to level two, giving me more skill points. I put another rank in acrobatics (nc +2?) and with the diplomacy skill (c) if I put a 2nd rank in that, does it become a +4? Or do you wait for the levels to "catch up to the ranks" and not be able to add another bonus to this until my Paladin is level 4?
Thanks for any help on this issue! :)
The +3 bonus is for the class skill, it doesn't count as a "rank" in the skill. You can't have more ranks in a skill than level, so yes you can do Diplomacy to get a +2 or +5 with the +3 class skill bonus.
and with the diplomacy skill (c) if I put a 2nd rank in that, does it become a +4? Or do you wait for the levels to "catch up to the ranks" and not be able to add another bonus to this until my Paladin is level 4?
Actually, neither.
You can only place as many ranks in a skill as you have Hit Dice. Ever.
Now, if a skill is a class skill for any of your classes, and you have at least one rank in it, you get a +3 bonus to that skill, in addition to any other bonuses due to statistic, item, or whatever.
In your example, a level 2 Paladin with 2 ranks in Acrocatics is considered to have Acrobatics +2 (plus any Dex Bonus, minus ACP, et cetera).
Whereras, two ranks in Diplomacy will net him Diplomacy +5 (2 ranks plus 3 bonus for Class Skill), plus any Charisma Bonus and so on...
Hope that helps.
Ok, thanks for that clarification you guys, really appreciate the help.
In your example, a level 2 Paladin with 2 ranks in Acrocatics is considered to have Acrobatics +2 (plus any Dex Bonus, minus ACP, et cetera).
Whereras, two ranks in Diplomacy will net him Diplomacy +5 (2 ranks plus 3 bonus for Class Skill), plus any Charisma Bonus and so on...
Does this also mean that at level one, if I put a rank in diplomacy, that that becomes a +4?
Ok, thanks for that clarification you guys, really appreciate the help.
Does this also mean that at level one, if I put a rank in diplomacy, that that becomes a +4?In your example, a level 2 Paladin with 2 ranks in Acrocatics is considered to have Acrobatics +2 (plus any Dex Bonus, minus ACP, et cetera).
Whereras, two ranks in Diplomacy will net him Diplomacy +5 (2 ranks plus 3 bonus for Class Skill), plus any Charisma Bonus and so on...
Yes, if it's a class skill (then adjust for charisma).
Ok brilliant, cheers guys :)
Remember that +3 for class skills is bonus and not actual ranks so it does not count against "requires <x> ranks in <skill>" prerequisites for prestige classes and feats.
Also remember that the bonus only kicks in if you have at least one rank in that particular skill. A Paladin with zero ranks in Diplomacy has Diplomacy +0, not +3.
... plus the paladin's Charisma modifier and any racial / other bonuses. ;)