Skilled (Ex): An eidolon becomes especially adept at a specific skill, gaining a +8 racial bonus on that skill.
It's a bonus. But it's not a bonus to the skill check, but rather to the skill itself.
Does this mean the evolution is the equivalent of eight actual skillpoints? Does it make the skill trained, or help in qualifying for certain feats? If so, that seems overpowered. But the way the evolution is worded makes it look that way.
None of the above! Its like the Elves' bonus to perception, just a bonus and nothing more.
Btw... What in the evolution's wording makes it look that way!?
None of the above! Its like the Elves' bonus to perception, just a bonus and nothing more.
But a bonus to what? To the skill, or to the skill check? There's a difference.
For instance, qualifying for the Cornugon Smash feat requires "Intimidate 6 ranks". Does the Skilled evolution meet that requirement?
It applies as a bonus to those skill checks. It does not grant actual ranks in said skill (which means if you were to put it into, say, a Knowledge, he couldn't all of a sudden make Knowledge checks, he'd have to be trained in order to make them).
They're not skill ranks or they'd be called as such. If they were, you likely couldn't use them until 8th level since you can never have more ranks than levels/HD.
They're not skill ranks or they'd be called as such. If they were, you likely couldn't use them until 8th level since you can never have more ranks than levels/HD.
And the cornugon smash feat that he brought up is an explicit reason why.
Feats that have skill rank prerequisites are basically like feats that say "+6 BAB", in that they are barring people below a certain level from grabbing them. It is just that skill ranks work for any class willing to invest.
If it was real ranks, and available at level 1, then he could grab cornugon smash at level 1.
It is a "racial bonus", not added ranks. Skill ranks cannot exceed HD in any situation. You have 3 categories for your total bonus to your roll... Ability Modifier, Ranks, Misc Bonus (class, trained, racial, etc.) The +8 Racial would fall into the Misc category.