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<blockquote data-quote="Spatzimaus" data-source="post: 478778" data-attributes="member: 3051">Originally posted by Al There is a difference between 'temporary' Int changes and Headbands of Intellect.If I suffer &quot;permanent&quot; INT ability drain and get it reversed a level later, am I forced to lose skill points?The line between &quot;temporary&quot; and &quot;permanent&quot; is fuzzy in a game involving magic (especially Wish).&nbsp; It's not so much that I think it shouldn't give points, it's that I think it leaves the door open for a lot of other headaches.My personal favorite exploit someone came up with: I've made a Headband +6.&nbsp; I loan it to a friend of mine who wants to take one level of a skill-based class, let's say Rogue, to take the skills needed to qualify for a great PrC.&nbsp; He wears the headband for that one level (or even worse, 51% of the level), getting the 3 extra skill points he needs, then gives it back to me once he's done.&nbsp; Heck, if we time our sleep schedules right and if we're staggered by half a level of XP, it's even possible for BOTH of us to gain the benefits of the headband.Because Int reflects the ability to *learn*.&nbsp; If someone were to undergo some advanced surgery to make him more intelligent, he cannot benefit more from his high school days: he learnt the same amount back then.&nbsp; However, he will pick up more than he would previously have done going about his daily business.You had my point backwards.&nbsp; I wasn't saying INT should be retroactive.&nbsp; I was asking, why is CON retroactive in regards to HP?&nbsp; Why don't we just say that your CON affects the HP you gain at each level, and that you only get the benefit of your +6 amulet for the levels you were wearing it?The thing I really want here is consistency.&nbsp; The problem is, D&amp;D just doesn't do consistency well.&nbsp; If you make CON non-retroactive, then what happens when a Barbarian rages?&nbsp; (Answer: replace the CON boost with Temporary HP!)&nbsp; If you make non-inherent INT sources give skill points, why can't a Psion cast Animal Affinity every day as soon as he hits 4th level?&nbsp; 1 hour per level should cover all my important learning time, right?&nbsp; And 3 power points is definitely worth the extra skill points.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Spatzimaus, post: 478778, member: 3051"] [i]Originally posted by Al [/i] [B]There is a difference between 'temporary' Int changes and Headbands of Intellect.[/B] If I suffer "permanent" INT ability drain and get it reversed a level later, am I forced to lose skill points? The line between "temporary" and "permanent" is fuzzy in a game involving magic (especially Wish). It's not so much that I think it shouldn't give points, it's that I think it leaves the door open for a lot of other headaches. My personal favorite exploit someone came up with: I've made a Headband +6. I loan it to a friend of mine who wants to take one level of a skill-based class, let's say Rogue, to take the skills needed to qualify for a great PrC. He wears the headband for that one level (or even worse, 51% of the level), getting the 3 extra skill points he needs, then gives it back to me once he's done. Heck, if we time our sleep schedules right and if we're staggered by half a level of XP, it's even possible for BOTH of us to gain the benefits of the headband. [B]Because Int reflects the ability to *learn*. If someone were to undergo some advanced surgery to make him more intelligent, he cannot benefit more from his high school days: he learnt the same amount back then. However, he will pick up more than he would previously have done going about his daily business.[/B] You had my point backwards. I wasn't saying INT should be retroactive. I was asking, why is CON retroactive in regards to HP? Why don't we just say that your CON affects the HP you gain at each level, and that you only get the benefit of your +6 amulet for the levels you were wearing it? The thing I really want here is consistency. The problem is, D&D just doesn't do consistency well. If you make CON non-retroactive, then what happens when a Barbarian rages? (Answer: replace the CON boost with Temporary HP!) If you make non-inherent INT sources give skill points, why can't a Psion cast Animal Affinity every day as soon as he hits 4th level? 1 hour per level should cover all my important learning time, right? And 3 power points is definitely worth the extra skill points. [/QUOTE]

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