INT-Increase and Skillpoints

[irdeggman]

Only Con is retroactive (i.e., for hit points) all other abilites are not.

There are several problems with making Int retroactive:

How about spells? A starting wizard gets bonus spells based on his Int modifier.

Skills cost different depending on whether or not they are cross-class or class skills. If Int is retroactive for skill points, then how does one spend them? At the current class' rate? - not good since skill points can't be saved between levels.

How about starting languages? A character gets a number based on his Int mod.

There are more I'm sure.

 

[Hypersmurf]

IMC we take a "flowers for algernon" approach and say that Int increases are retroactive as well. If they lose the bonus they do in fact "unlearn" skills. The player would get to choose unless there was some plotline reason why the DM wanted to choose. It has worked well for us and makes sense IMHO.

"The robed figure touches you. No SR? Okay, take... a -5 penalty to Int, -2 penalty to Wis, -4 penalty to Cha."
"Oh. Uh... give me fifteen minutes, guys..."

-Hyp.