How big a deal is All Knowledges?

[RandomUsernamehmimo71]

The question has arisen in my game how powerful the "All knowledges" class skill, of Wizards is. Specifically, is designing Prestige Classes, how much of a weight that should have. Weigh it equal to having any other one class skill? Any other 3? 5?

The Feat Educated allows all of them to any class, but that is more powerful, as it transcends classes.
Now, granted, I tend to play a skill and knowledge heavy game.. Not all GM's might have the same experience as I do, but I'm curious to field your opinion on the net worth of this ability.


Thanks for any input

Colin "That PrC needs to balance!" Davis

 

[Liolel]

I think you are using the skill wrong. What all knowledge means is that the character can spend skillpoints in any knowledge skill even ones not on his class list such as ones the DM invented. You still have to spend skill points for each knowledge skill.

Shouldn't this be in rules?

 

[Malk]

iI have found that its usefullness really depends upon how well educated a character you wish to play. I have had wizards with 6 different knowledge skills going at once, and he saved our behinds many times by being able to pull up the correct piece of obscure information at the right time. Also it gives you a wonderfull bag of tricks to pull from...need to build a catapult, well that knowledge engineering will come in handy, knowing all about dragons can keep you from being melted by acid. But at the same time ive seen plenty of wizards who only pick up arcana...so the skill basicaly is doing them no good at all, but for what its worth i think Knowledge all skills is a very usefull ability

 

[RandomUsernamehmimo71]

You still have to spend skill points for each knowledge skill.

Thanks, but that is what I meant. Forgive me if that wasn't as clear as I had intended.. What I mean is, how powerful is having all knowledges as class skills?

I think Malk's point that it depends on the campaign is valid, and my game is very skill, and knowledge based.. Which is why I'm not sure how powerful that is.

Colin "I know it's a minor quibble.. But I'm a minor quibbler!" Davis

 

[Nightfall]

Just because he can have all knowledges DOESN"T mean he can always get access to a Pr-class. Pr-classes are STILL Dm's pervue, and you could alway say "Must be able to spontanoues cast 3rd level arcane spells" THis way bards and sorcerers can get in.

 

[Endur]

All knowledge skills is one of the useful benefits of being a Wizard or a Bard.

In terms of play balance, if you are building a new class and are thinking about adding all knowledge skills to a class, I would think its equivalent to adding half a dozen skills to a class. Knowledge includes more than six subcategories, but I think six skills would balance it.

 

[Nightfall]

Not to mention DON'T give it good/great HD. You're just begging for trouble then.

 

[BrooklynKnight]

ACtually i'll be trying something new in my games.

Knowledges will be Class Skills for all and Wizards will have a +2 bonus to all knowledge checks.

I think i'll give each class a +1 or +2 bonus one one or two specific knowledges that make sense with their chosen archtype.