Humans and Skill Points; EDITED

[Scharlata]

Hi!

Stupid question:

Would it be safe to assume that the human bonus skill point is added AFTER any adjustments for Intelligence are calculated?

For example, a human 1st-level cleric with Intelligence 6 (-2) has 2 - 2 (minimum 1) = 1 skill point EDIT: x4 for 1st-level = 4 skill points. He then adds (1 x 4) = 4 human bonus skill points. His total skill points for 1st level are EDIT: 8.

Kind regards

 

[kmdietri]

I would say do it before, but that's not from any rules I know for sure.

 

[Thanee]

Yes, I'd do it like that, so humans have a minimum of 2 per level.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Li Shenron]

We've always done the same, minimum 2.

 

[Jhulae]

Hi!

Stupid question:

Would it be safe to assume that the human bonus skill point is added AFTER any adjustments for Intelligence are calculated?

For example, a human 1st-level cleric with Intelligence 6 (-2) has 2 - 2 (minimum 1) = 1 skill point EDIT: x4 for 1st-level = 4 skill points. He then adds (1 x 4) = 4 human bonus skill points. His total skill points for 1st level are EDIT: 8.

Kind regards

Unfortunately, the rules don't say for sure. However, I tend to think that humans add their extra skill point in when figuring the total, not after figuring a subtotal.

CSP= class skill points. IM= Int Modifier

Thanee and Li Shenron use the math as such: (CSP-IM)= X (Min of 1) +1 for Human (that total x4 for 1st level).

I've always understood what I've read to be: (CSP+1 for human-IM)= X (min of 1) (x4 for 1st level).

And, if you take into account other systems (such as d20 Modern which specifically mentioned the reason for the odd skill points for the classes was adding the human's bonus in), it may be that such a reading is correct. Again though, there's no rule saying which is right and which is wrong.

 

[MerakSpielman]

Not that it's official or anything, but E-Tools uses the interpretation where a human gets a minimum of 2 skill points per level.

 

[Darkness]

p.62 of the PHB implies yes.

As does the description for a human's skill points at 1st level.

 

[Zaister]

I'm in the 2 points minimum camp, too. After all, the extra points are to represent that humans are more "versatile" then non-humans, but why would that only apply to humans of INT 8 and up? A human with INT 4 should also be more versatile than an elf with INT 4.

 

[Jhulae]

Minimum of 2. Well, that's cool, then.

Although, I hardly ever have a character with less than a 12 int if I can help it anyway... ::hugs her precious skill points::

 

[Eolin]

Afterwards, definetly. Humans get at least two. And yeah, skill points are precious.

Especially to commoners. And most people, of most races, are commoners.
And that's why humans really are the best race -- because no matter how dumb a commoner (or anyone else) is, he's got at least two skills. Which, for a first level commoner means he's got both profession(farming) and maybe knowledge(history: local). It allows for human villages to keep knowledge from generation to generation, as well as any other skills they want. And it still be the case that everyone can farm.

Humans r0xor even at low level and low stats.