So, a 4th-level magus puts on a +2 headband of vast intelligence with Fly as its associated skill. He has no means of daily flight (yet).
Does he get the skill ranks?
Yes, for all the good they will do him.
Well, a potion of fly (750 gp) is affordable at that level...
Well, a potion of fly (750 gp) is affordable at that level...
To obtain ranks in fly the ability has to be available daily. Now I suppose if you never actually drank the potion you'd have that ability every day, but it seems way cheesy. :p
Lord Pendragon, to take ranks in it you need a reliable means of flying. But, having ranks bestowed upon you via a magic item is not the same as taking ranks so, yes, he gets the skill ranks via the headband. :)
- Gauss
Yes, he gets the skill ranks in Fly from the headband. If he also has a potion of fly, he can actually use the skill.
Context: My post above was a response to DonDuckie.
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The two rules are in conflict. They are both exceptions and it isn't clear which should rule the day.
The idea behind the skill ranks for the headband is that it reflects the additional skill ranks you'd have from the Int bump otherwise without allowing redistribution of those points each time it is put on. Given that, I think no is a reasonable answer but will ultimately be up to the GM; RAW is unclear.
I agree with Gauss on this one. You aren't taking the skill, you're being granted it. So you get the ranks via RAW, but you will rarely use them.
Context: My post above was a response to DonDuckie.
Whoops, my bad. Now that makes more sense. :p
And to DonDuckie I realize the skill will not be immediately useful, however at this level (4th) I've got all the skills I want to max...maxed, except for Fly. So being able to put the points into it now means I can delay that point where I simply start tossing points around aimlessly into random knowledge skills.
I think my post is being perceived as far more sarcastic than it was meant. Although the sarcasm was intentional.
I simply meant:
Yes, he gets the skill ranks from the headband.
And if he needs to make a fly skill check, the ranks will be handy.
They are divined onto him by the headband(<- should be read in a preachy echo-y voice), not from his own practicing the skill of flying. The skill says you "cannot take ranks in this skill" unless you can reliably fly every day. So not just when you have a one time potion or three. (I suppose "take ranks" means "put ranks"; which is how I phrase applying your skill points)
It doesn't say you can't have ranks in fly granted from something else.
Just like a similar headband can pass on skill points in knowledge[history] to a dog, for all the good it does the dog(like knowing stuff about past battles - and should somebody cast "speak with animals", then he could share his knowledge*) :)
Granted; I can't find a place that says a dog has a head slot for magic items.
*You know... before he was killed for the headband.
Magi, wizards, druids, and pretty much all casters get Fly as a class skill because at some point, most of them have access to the spell Fly. I feel other classes, or archetypes, should also be able to add it as a class skill for gaining access to flight, such as a paladin with the oath against the wyrm, and the like.