Bonus Human Skill Points - Should they be subject to class restrictions?

[Creamsteak]

Recently it was brought up to me that Humans bonus skill points follow the guidelines for a characters class, but they could be interpreted as having free choice of any skills. Allowing this would mean that a human would gain (Level+3) skill points that can be dispensed into non-class skills, like hide for a fighter, or even to know a whole list of additional languages.

This seems fine to me, as it's not taking away too much from any classes skill lists, although it makes the already tempting human race into something even more useful in any classes shoes.

The Rogues might suffer a bit if their human fighter friend can bluff, or othewise do something that would normally fall under a rogue's specializations, but it doesn't seem to take away too much from the rogue itself. The most powerful uses of this, I believe, would be Use Magic Device and Languages. Otherwise, I don't see too much of a problem.

 

[Crothian]

I think it gives humans an even better advantage and its not like the race was weak to begin with

 

[Creamsteak]

I'd have to agree with that. I think I'm still going to implement it, however, as I feel fond of the concept. Not really so much for those skills that are all that powerful, but specifically because I'm fond of taking cross class skills with human fighter/wizard/sorcerer/clerics...

Though I'm also considering just adding an extra 2*(level+3) skill points for every character to spend on side skills that they might only be slightly interested in. It's basically one or the other, or some median for me, and I'm looking to see which way I should go.

 

[Crothian]

Personally, I'd do the bonus skill points for each character.

 

[Technik4]

Actually I like this idea a lot. I would suggest in lieu of giving everyone more skills (which hurts high skill classes, like rogue) you give every starting character 1 bonus feat, but limit each race's selection of what they can get with this feat. Humans will have the afore-mentioned "classless" skill points allowing them to have one non-class (once they get a class) skill as a class skill already, so I would make this a feat that each race could choose.

So net effect:

All races - 2 feats at start, may choose a 1st level feat which gives 4 skill points (non-classed) and gives them 1 additional skill point every level.

Humans - 3 feats at start, already have non-classed skill points, but additionally may spend extra feat on getting another, so 2 total skill points that can be used towards any skill.

Technik

 

[Sanackranib]

there is a feat called quick learner, prerec INT 15+ that gives an extra skill point per level (4 if taken at 1st level). I have allowed this in my game and several players have used it to good effect.

any bonus skill points beyond this or the normal allotment at level one should be used as class skills or DM's choice "background skills"