Ok so I am in a PFS group and from the games we play we are desperately in need of some strong warriors. The problem is that we use the ability score system so getting high stats for anything requires min-maxing to a plainful degree, often killing many classes that require multiple stats.
I am thinking about making just a straight up strength 20 half-orc barbarian to carry us. 18 base strength is 17 out of 20 points to buy. Unless I want to dump dexterity and/or constitution I will also probably need to lower intelligence and/or wisdom.
I have never made a character with less than 10 in anything but Charisma.
If I lower my Intelligence will the reduce my skill points below the class minimum?
It can, yes. But only to a minimum of 1. Two, if you're Human, since the +1 per level is applied after your base amount and Int bonus.
Really though, you'd be better off buying a 16 and upping it to 18 with your +2, and then distributing those extra 7 points elsewhere. A solid stat array would be 16 14 14 10 10 10 (or 16 14 14 12 12 7).
This will make you sturdier, harder to hit, with better saves (especially the latter array), more skills, and higher modifiers to important skills. All for losing a measly +1 to-hit and damage.
If you reduce Int, your skill points will drop. You always get at least 1 skill point per level, no matter how bad your intelligence is.
This means, from a pure optimisation point of view, in general on a 2 skill/level class you might as well drop int to 7 if you plan on dropping it below 10 - even with a -2 int race. You can always gain a skill rank with your favoured class bonus. You lose -1 on your int based skills, but you weren't going to use those anyway.
Don't lower wisdom unless it is absolutely necessary (whether conceptually or mechanically) - will saves and perception are important.
I'm also a big fan of the 16/14/14/12/12/7 array for everything other than SAD casters.
If you are feeling really bold you can try the 18/14/16/7/7/7 barbarian...
And then go Orc, for a 22/14/16/5/5/5.
Not in PFS, that is.