Headband of Intellect question! (My Int is too low to figure this out!)

[Phoenix8008]

Okay, this question has been bugging me for awhile now and I finally remembered it so I could come here and ask.

If a wizard wears a Headband of Intellect(+6) which increases her Int from 19 to 25, does she get bonus spells as shown on Table 1-1 in the PHB? What about languages known? Or Skill points when leveling up? Just what does this enhanced Int apply to?

Any help would be great, thanks.

 

[Simulacrum]

Languages no, skillpoints yes, they are lost forever when you take off the headband. I as DM think that rule is utterly stupid.
I don't allow for more skillpoints as you profit on your INT skills anyways.
Extra spells ---> yes

 

[Spatula]

Okay, this question has been bugging me for awhile now and I finally remembered it so I could come here and ask.

If a wizard wears a Headband of Intellect(+6) which increases her Int from 19 to 25, does she get bonus spells as shown on Table 1-1 in the PHB? What about languages known? Or Skill points when leveling up? Just what does this enhanced Int apply to?

Any help would be great, thanks.

The increased INT raises the DC to resist the Wizard's spells and applies to the Wizard's INT-related skill checks (Spellcraft, Scry, etc.).

 

[Phoenix8008]

Cool. Thanks alot.

I figured the languages wouldn't fly, and I didn't understand how the skill points would work, but having the extra spells is what is was all about anyway! Not to mention the saves against all my spells being higher.

I think you are right about the skill points, that's pretty stupid to me too. Who wants to keep track of all those points that are only there when you are wereing the Headband.

Thanks again!

 

[kreynolds]

If a wizard wears a Headband of Intellect(+6) which increases her Int from 19 to 25, does she get bonus spells as shown on Table 1-1 in the PHB?

Yes. When exactly you lose them after losing the Headband has been discussed to the point of beating a dead horse with a stick.

What about languages known?

Nope. The number of languages you know, based upon your Intelligence, is only determined at character creature (1st level, or technically, 0-level). Also, see next answer.

Or Skill points when leveling up?

Yes. However, if you do this, you would need to keep track of where those came from and at what level so that you know where to take them away from if the Headband is lost or if they are level drained.

Because of this, some rule-0 that you don't get the skill points.

Just what does this enhanced Int apply to?

Pretty much everything, such as feat prerequisites. Using the headband to qualify for feats can be tricky though, as it would really suck if you later lost the headband. You would still have the feat, but you could no longer use it because you no longer meet the prereqs.

 

[Iku Rex]

A lot of bad advice in this thread...

Your character's Intelligence modifier affects the number of skill points he or she gets at each level (see Table 1–1: Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells, page 8). This rule represents an intelligent character’s ability to learn faster over time (and the slower rate for dim-witted characters), so use the Intelligence score that your character had during his or her previous level. If he or she was feebleminded for a short time during the previous level, that doesn't reduce the number of skill points he or she acquires. Likewise, wearing a headband of intellect for a short time doesn’t grant him or her extra skill points. Only a change in Intelligence that was constant (or very nearly constant) over the previous level affects how many skill points were acquired during that level.

-- PH page 145.

Your intelligence affects how fast you learn. Even if you loose Int you will still have learned faster back when your Int was higher. (In other words you don't loose skill points if you loose your headband of intellect, but you won't learn as fast anymore.)

And a "a change in Intelligence that was constant (or very nearly constant) over the previous level affects how many skill points were acquired during that level."



You do get extra spells (and increased save DCs).

 

[Al]

I rule that if Int rising from a permanent magical item (as opposed to Fox's Cunning) then skill points are granted. Effectively, the character has a consistently higher Intelligence score, and can learn faster.

The problem with the 'losing Int means you lose skill points when the Headband comes off' sets a dangerous precedent. If a character is hit with a Bestow Curse, Int-draining poison or attacks, or a feeblemind spell, do you knock off skill points? Of course not. Why, then, do you knock them off when he takes the Headband off? It simply does not make sense.

 

[0-hr]

Tell it to Skip.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Re: Re: Headband of Intellect question! (My Int is too low to figure this out!)

A lot of bad advice in this thread...

The issue of skill points is hotly debated. I chose not to post here in order to avoid getting pulled into it again, but I failed the DC 26 Will save...

Here are the ways I've seen:

1. Skill points are not gained.
2. Skill points are goined, but go away it you ever take off the headband.
3. Skill points are gained, but go away if you lose the headband for a long time (a full level or so)
4. Skill points are gained as long as you have the headband on
5. Skill points are gained and you always have them, though you don't get new ones if you lose the headband
6. Extra skill points are granted, but you get a skill point debt if you lose the headband and must spend new skill points when you level in order to regain the debt before you can choose new skills.

 

[kreynolds]

Re: Re: Headband of Intellect question! (My Int is too low to figure this out!)

A lot of bad advice in this thread...

Perhaps you would like to point it out instead of just slinging mud around? Come on. Let's be nice about this. I know this a frustrating topic for a lot of people, but at least a modicum of civility is called for.