Most Important Knowledges

[Dross]

I think it was originally intended to be specialized, such as Knowledge(Silver Marches) or Knowledge(Thay).

The PHB didn't break it up like that, this is a FR specific rule (the topics covered above a right though).

Which lead to the situation that someone with the skill had Knowledge: Local (The world) unless the DM ruled otherwise.

 

[Mistwell]

In our Ptolus game, it's one of my most important skills. Of course, I am running a character with a level in Urban Ranger, so it's crucial to my Urban Tracking ability. But all of us have had to use Knowledge: Local to know about particular local groups, people, locations, backgrounds, rules, etc...

 

[Rystil Arden]

Arcana, Nature, Religion, and The Planes are probably the most commonly used. In addition, Nobility and Royalty will net you a synergy bonus to diplomacy if you have at least 5 ranks in it. History will garner you a bonus to your bardic knowledge checks if you have 5 or more ranks. Geography is a prerequisite for the Horizon Walker PrC. And last but not least, Dungeoneering is one of the monster identification skills (abberations, I think?).

I have no idea what you'd use Local for.

Synergy to Gather Info, for one.

 

[Li Shenron]

The PHB didn't break it up like that, this is a FR specific rule (the topics covered above a right though).

Yes I know that there is no evidence in the PHB. This is our interpretation, but I think I remember that there was one of the 3rd edition designers who once explained this...

Does FR say that it's overruling the PHB?

Anyway, other groups allow KN(Local) to apply everywhere, and treat it like "the ability to learn quickly about new places". I disagree because it then doesn't work like a Knowledge anymore, and we already have Gather Info for that, but it can work nonetheless.

 

[IcyCool]

Synergy to Gather Info, for one.

Ah yes, I'd forgotten that synergy bonus.

 

[Gaiden]

I'm surprised no one mentioned architecture & engineering. That one would tell you how best to use disable device on a structure, it would tell you where you could hide/MS on a weak rooftop. Its effectively knowledge (physics) in a fantasy setting - hugely important IMO.

 

[irdeggman]

Anyway, other groups allow KN(Local) to apply everywhere, and treat it like "the ability to learn quickly about new places". I disagree because it then doesn't work like a Knowledge anymore, and we already have Gather Info for that, but it can work nonetheless.

Here is what we did for Birthright (at Birthright.net):

Knowledge (Regional)
This skill applies to a large cultural area, such as the Southern Coast, the Heartlands or the Western Marches. You have detailed knowledge of the workings of a specific region, goods and services, major cities and population centers, how individual provinces interact or relate with other provinces in the region, etc. While you may know the titles and hierarchy of the governmental structure you don’t know about the individuals occupying the positions of authority that falls under Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty).

Special: 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (Regional) bestows a +2 bonus to both Knowledge (Local) if it is within the region and to Gather Information within the region.

Knowledge (Local)
This skill applies to a single specific province, such as the Imperial City, Ilien, Abbatuor or Brosien. Use of this skill provides information in greater detail than Knowledge (Regional) but only in relation to a single province. Specific layout of the towns and cities within the province, the best way to travel between towns and cities, etc., are the types of things that this skill is useful for.

Special: 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (Local) bestows a +2 bonus to Gather Information checks within the province in question.

 

[irdeggman]

Knowledge (Religion) gives a bonus to turn checks.

And ranks in Knowledge (arcana), religion and nature are used to determine the number of epic spells you can know (at epic level).

 

[Nifft]

Arcana, Nature, Religion, and The Planes.

Word. But perhaps also Dungeoneering (for Aberrations).

Cheers, -- N

 

[Kaladhan]

Now that I am a member of En World, I can see that my average game can differ from your average games. So you use Knowledge(Planes) a lot? Can you give example of how you use it? I'm curious.

I almost never use any Kn(Planes), but both Kn(Arcana) and Kn(Religions) see a good bit of usage in my games.