extra human skill point: before or after Int adjustment?

[Droogie]

I have a character in my game with low intelligence. The PHB says you don't factor in the extra points at first level-you simply add 4 to the final total. Fine--- that sounds like you get your extra skill points after you adjust your current skill points for Int.

HOWEVER, its not really clear what happens after 1st level. Do you still tack on the extra skill point after the character has adjusted for the penalty or before?

 

[The Souljourner]

I would tack it on afterward. The only people that benefits is the poor slobs that are only getting skillpoints at all due to the "you can't go below 1" rule. Fighters, clerics, wizards, and sorcerers with 7 or less intelligence, and monks or barbarians with 3 or less... these are not the people we should be begrudging 1 skill point per level.

As for the actual rules - I think if the original 4 is after int, all of them should be.

-The Souljourner

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

I am pretty sure it is after. So, yes, an extremely dumb 1st level human character will still get his 4 + 4 skill points.

 

[FrankTrollman]

For what it's worth - there are example characters that have an Int of 6 and 2 skill points/level as a Fighter.

Of course, sample characters are notorious for not following the rules - so take that accordingly.

-Frank

 

[CRGreathouse]

I apply it after, giving all humans at least 6+2/level skill points.

 

[dvvega]

AFAIK you apply it afterwards. The evidence that suggests this:

The Human benefit is worded as:

3.5 SRD
4 extra skill points at 1st level and 1 extra skill point at each additional level.

It uses the word EXTRA which indicates it is above and beyond the normal total.


Secondly why would they state a bonus 4 at first level then 1 each level when stating they get 1 each level (which at first would have been multiplied anyway). If it was worded in that way then you would indeed calculate before the multiplying and this you could well end up with zero skill points.

 

[Marimmar]

From the 3.0 PHB:

HUMAN RACIAL TRAITS
4 extra skill points at 1st level and 1 extra skill point at each
additional level, since humans are versatile and capable. (The 4
skill points at first level are added on as a bonus, not multiplied in;
see Chapter 4: Skills.)


This is evidence enough for me to say that the extra skill points are awarded after INT.

~Marimmar