| happykj |
I always thought temporary bonuses only affect the listed roll check and stat. For example:
"Intelligence Temporary Bonuses: Temporary increases to your Intelligence score give you a bonus on Intelligence-based skill checks. This bonus also applies to any spell DCs based on Intelligence."
And I thought a wizard only get bonus spell slot from permanent Int bonus.
Until I saw this FAQ.
So what is the differences between permanent bonus and temporary bonus?
Is Ability Score Damage also using the same rule, or it only give penalty to what is listed? For example:
"Intelligence: Damage to your Intelligence score causes you to take penalties on Intelligence-based skill checks. This penalty also applies to any spell DCs based on Intelligence. A character with an Intelligence score of 0 is comatose."
Will it cause me to lose access to level 9 spell if my Int is damaged to 18?
| Pizza Lord |
So what is the differences between permanent bonus and temporary bonus?
Permanent bonuses count as though your score was that number. Temporary bonuses only apply to the listed effects, except... the FAQ you quoted says that they should otherwise count. Otherwise, Strength buffs wouldn't let you lift or carry more things. Note that the FAQ is specifically about temporary benefits, not penalties or damage or drain. Those still work as written because FAQs are specific to their question.
Despite FAQs being stated as being narrow to their specific questions, I think it's obvious that if you have one (temporary boosts) affecting a statistic, than the opposite (temporary penalties and damage) should have equal effects.
Back before they made that FAQ in 2013, technically boosting your Strength didn't let you carry more or lift more (muleback cords specifically apply their enhancement to your carrying score.)
If you were a halfling trapped under a barbell you couldn't lift, and someone cast Strength-buffing spells until you're as strong as a titan... you still couldn't lift the barbell. But instead you could bend the bar much easier or smash down an iron door (both Strength checks unrelated to Carrying Capacity), just not pick it up.
Increasing your Dex didn't let you take additional Attack of Opportunity with Combat Reflexes and boosting your Wisdom didn't increase damage from spiritual weapon.
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Is Ability Score Damage also using the same rule, or it only give penalty to what is listed?
Yes. If you have 15 Dexterity and take 5 Dex damage you don't actually have 10 Dex. You just have a –2 penalty to the checks and statistics listed there. You wouldn't drop below 13 Dexterity and lose access to your Dodge feat for having the penalty. Just like a cat's grace won't let you meet the requirements to take the feat or use it if you had been drained below 13 and get a temporary Dex increase.
Will [Intelligence damage] cause me to lose access to level 9 spell if my Int is damaged to 18?
No. You will still have your Intelligence, just a –1 penalty for each two damage or penalty to that ability. Again though, if your GM is allowing you to use temporary buffs to access spells you have that you couldn't normally cast, then damage and penalties would/should do the same, just opposite.