Skill rank pre-reqs

[elgabalawi]

so if a feat requires two ranks of a skill, can i take that feat at second level (at the same time i take the second rank of the feat), or do i have to have already had both ranks, so i can't take it until 3rd?

while i have you, if i am fighting with a one handed weapon, do not have twf or flurry, but do have imp unarmed and stunning fist - can i at any point choose to use one of my attacks as unarmed and go for a stunning fist? i assumed so at first, but then i suddenly wondered if there was a problem with that.

thanks in advance.

[Big Lemon]

If you choose to attack and then use Stunning Fist, the Stunning Fist should still take the penalties for two weapon fighting, unless you are using flurry of blows (I'm assuming you're playing a monk)

As for the first question, yes you may take it at that level if all other requirements are met at that level.

[elgabalawi]

thanks. for the record, if i chose to attack and then use stunning fist, it would be because i had two attacks at that point. is that what you were thinking?

[elgabalawi]

at the point when i only have one attack, could i keep holding my weapon and then just use stunning fist for my only attack?

[Umbranus]

Yes, you can learn a feat the same level you get the needed skills.

And yes you can alternate between using more than one weapon. You only need TWF or flurry when you want to get more attacks than your normal iteratives.

[elgabalawi]

thanks, that's kind of what i was thinking but wasn't sure if simply being "armed" in both hands would mean penalties.

[hogarth]

elgabalawi wrote:

so if a feat requires two ranks of a skill, can i take that feat at second level (at the same time i take the second rank of the feat), or do i have to have already had both ranks, so i can't take it until 3rd?

I know that 3E D&D had a list of what order you got things in when you went up a level, but I don't know if Pathfinder does. At any rate, I think it's harmless to allow assigning skill points before choosing feats (or vice versa, for that matter).

[Grick]

elgabalawi wrote:

if a feat requires two ranks of a skill, can i take that feat at second level (at the same time i take the second rank of the feat), or do i have to have already had both ranks, so i can't take it until 3rd?

Advancing Your Character: "When adding new levels of an existing class or adding levels of a new class (see Multiclassing, below), make sure to take the following steps in order. First, select your new class level. You must be able to qualify for this level before any of the following adjustments are made. Second, apply any ability score increases due to gaining a level. Third, integrate all of the level's class abilities and then roll for additional hit points. Finally, add new skills and feats."

Skills and feats are added at the same time, so you shouldn't have a problem qualifying for the feat on the level in which you get those skill ranks.

Note that this is not true of Prestige Classes, if a PrC requires 5 ranks in a skill, you can't take a level of that PrC until level 6. (Because you choose the class before you get the skill ranks)

elgabalawi wrote:

thanks, that's kind of what i was thinking but wasn't sure if simply being "armed" in both hands would mean penalties.

The only time you ever take two-weapon fighting penalties is when you're making a full-attack and getting an extra attack from your off-hand weapon.

If your BAB is +6, so you get two attacks normally, they can be with any combination of weapons you like. See This FAQ for details.

[Akerlof]

hogarth wrote:

elgabalawi wrote:

so if a feat requires two ranks of a skill, can i take that feat at second level (at the same time i take the second rank of the feat), or do i have to have already had both ranks, so i can't take it until 3rd?

I know that 3E D&D had a list of what order you got things in when you went up a level, but I don't know if Pathfinder does. At any rate, I think it's harmless to allow assigning skill points before choosing feats (or vice versa, for that matter).

You can pick up the feat at the same time you meet the prereqs:

PRD wrote:

Prerequisites

Some feats have prerequisites. Your character must have the indicated ability score, class feature, feat, skill, base attack bonus, or other quality designated in order to select or use that feat. A character can gain a feat at the same level at which he gains the prerequisite.

A character can't use a feat if he loses a prerequisite, but he does not lose the feat itself. If, at a later time, he regains the lost prerequisite, he immediately regains full use of the feat that prerequisite enables.