Fixing character-build mistakes

[Xellrael]

If I'm running a table and discover that one of the players has an illegal character...

Is there an official rules source or set of guidelines to refer to?

If there are multiple ways to correct the problem, should I let the player choose? Example: A character has weapon focus: scimitar, weapon finesse and dervish dance (no ranks in perform: dance). Two skill ranks could be shifted to perform: dance, or dervish dance could be replaced with slashing grace.

How would you handle a more complex problem such as wizard 5 / dragon disciple 5?

Any other thoughts or advice?

[Avatar-1]

A good rule of thumb is to let them fix it in the simplest way possible.

Let them decide what to do and ask them (and trust them) to keep it as reasonable as they can.

[Jiggy]

To my knowledge, there isn't a thoroughly-coded procedure for correcting mistakes. Just try to help them salvage their character as much as possible while making it legal.

[David Haller]

I see no reason to require some kind of punitive fix ("sorry, you'll have to retrain - how much prestige do you have?")

Just fix all the stuff that's wrong with as few tweaks as possible, then maybe sign off on it on the most current chronicle ("fixed character: DCH").

The one place I'd be a little less magnanimous is equipment or magic items the character bought "based on" what he thought his character was; if he can no longer use the Hat of OMG, or the Scorpion Whip of Ouch! +2, he still has to sell it per PFS standard rules - he can't "cash it in" for full value. Or he can keep it, and try to work towards using the items legitimately after he gains a level or two. There is some small value in learning the PFS specifics prior to play!