Inherent Bonuses to Ability Scores

[iwatt]

I have a doubt concerning the inherent bonuses granted by a wish spell or a tome (of Clear Thought, Manual of Bodily Health, etc.).

The PHB says that every 4 levels, every character gains a +1 bonus to any ability score. Now, my doubt is, that since it doesn't state what type of bonus it is, does it stack with the inherent bonuses that I mentioned above?

I wanted to ask this question because it keeps bugging me and I don't know how to answer it. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Dr. Zoom]

The bonus every 4 levels is an unnamed bonus, so it stacks with inherent bonuses (or any other bonus).

 

[Destil]

You don't get a bonus every four levels, you simply change an ability score. There's never any stacking issues, simple as that (same deal with age).

 

[Tar-Edhel]

There's never any stacking issues, simple as that (same deal with age).

That's a good one!

I can't age because this year's +1 'age' bonus can't stack with last year's 'age' bonus.

I'll try it with my DM

 

[Hypersmurf]

I've never been sure if inherent bonuses apply while polymorphed.

If I'm a dwarf with a base 15 Str and a +3 inherent bonus from a Manual, for a total of 18, and I polymorph into a human, I receive the average strength of a human - say 10.

Am I a human with 10 Str and a +3 inherent bonus, for a total of 13? An enhancement bonus would carry over... an inherent bonus should too, right?

-Hyp.

 

[Arc]

Seems right. After all, that 'inherent' bonus isn't from being a dwarf, it's from being yourself. Your character is still the same whatever the shape. Well, that's how I see it at least.