Multiclassing and Skill Points

[reichtfeld]

I understand that skill points are supposed to be handled seperately when multiclassing, that the max ranks in a class skill are your level+3 and that cross-class skills are (your level+3)/2. What happens when you multiclass and the two classes share a certain class skill? Example:

A level 1 bard with 4 ranks in perform decides to multiclass as a rogue after achieving 2nd level. Both of these classes have Perform as a class skill. Is the character allowed to invest another 4 skill points into Perform for their new level of rogue? Or is the skill capped at a maximum of 5 ranks for being second character level?

I've always been fuzzy about how the cap on skill ranks works for multiclassing in this sort of case. Any explanation would be greatly appreciated.

 

[CmdrSam]

I understand that skill points are supposed to be handled seperately when multiclassing, that the max ranks in a class skill are your level+3 and that cross-class skills are (your level+3)/2. What happens when you multiclass and the two classes share a certain class skill?

I was confused on this too, but got my question answered here at EN World

The answer is that if a skill is a class skill for any of your classes, it is a class skill for the purposes of maximum ranks. If it is cross-class for all of your classes, it is cross-class for the purposes of maximum ranks.

In your example, Perform is a class skill for at least one class of the rogue/bard (in this case, both) so the maximum # of ranks is 3+level.

If you had, say, a bard/paladin, Perform is a class skill for bard, so the maximum # of ranks is 3+level, level again being total character level. When you take paladin levels, though, Perform is cross-class, so it still takes 2 skill points to get a rank. If you start with a Bard 1, with 4 ranks in perform, and then add a Paladin level, you can go up to 5 ranks (maximum # total level+3) but adding the rank in Perform costs 2 skill points when leveling as a Paladin.

As regards exclusive skills: it's pretty simple; levels in classes where Skill X is prohibited simply do not count towards the maximum number of ranks you can put in Skill X.

I think that pretty much sums it up; tell me if I'm unclear or inaccurate

--Sam L-L

 

[Hypersmurf]

Your rank cap for non-exclusive skills which are class skills for any of your classes is level+3.

Your rank cap for non-exclusive skills which are not class skills for any of your classes is (level+3)/2.

Your rank cap for exclusive skills is the sum of the levels of classes for which the skill is a class skill, +3.

Example : a Rogue3/Bard2/Fighter4.

His Max Rank in Wilderness Lore - a cross-class skill for all his classes - is 6 : (9 + 3)/2.

His Max Rank in Disguise - a class skill for Bards and Rogues, but not Fighters - is 12 : (9 + 3).

His Max Rank in Use Magic Device - an exclusive skill available to Bards and Rogues, but not Fighters - is 8 : 5 + 3.

His Max Rank in Read Lips - an exclusive skill available to Rogues, but not Bards or Fighters - is 6 : 3 + 3.

If he wants to buy a rank of Disguise when he levels up as a Rogue or Bard, it costs him 1 skill point. If he's levelling as a Fighter, it costs him 2 per rank, since the skill is cross-class for Fighters.

-Hyp.

 

[reichtfeld]

Hypersmurf: That covered everything. Much thanks.

 

[PinGuim]

Re: Re: Multiclassing and Skill Points

If you had, say, a bard/paladin, Perform is a class skill for bard, so the maximum # of ranks is 3+level, level again being total character level. When you take paladin levels, though, Perform is cross-class, so it still takes 2 skill points to get a rank. If you start with a Bard 1, with 4 ranks in perform, and then add a Paladin level, you can go up to 5 ranks (maximum # total level+3) but adding the rank in Perform costs 2 skill points when leveling as a Paladin.


--Sam L-L

Well I don´t agree, Because I think he can take a cross class skill for 2 class. What I want to say is to have 5 ranks, he have to take 2 levels of paladin.

My problem was with a wizard1/fighter8. If you do my rule he can have only 8 ranks in spellcraft, 4 as a wizard and 0,5 for every fighter classes. He can´t take 1 rank for level.
But if you do the other rule he will have the same spellcraft if he were a wizard 9, which is 13 ranks, and it is not fair.

 

[Mordeth]

At 2 + int for that 1 level of wizard, I dont think he is gonna get 13 ranks in that one level to dump into spellcraft.

And if he continues on as a fighter, raising it as cross-class a cross class skill.... I dont think the straight class wizard has anything to fear....

Unless he burns some feats into Skill Focus: Spellcraft!!

 

[Christian]

Re: Re: Re: Multiclassing and Skill Points

Well I don´t agree ...

That's fine. But take it to house rules, because the answers above are correct per the PH.

 

[diaglo]

Example : a Rogue3/Bard2/Fighter4.

His Max Rank in Disguise - a class skill for Bards and Rogues, but not Fighters - is 12 : (9 + 3).

i'm missing something. here is how i calculated it.

3 (Rogue)+3(for 1st lvl as Rogue)+2(for bard2)+2(for fighter4)= 10

 

[RigaMortus]

i'm missing something. here is how i calculated it.

3 (Rogue)+3(for 1st lvl as Rogue)+2(for bard2)+2(for fighter4)= 10

It would be +4(for fighter4).

Although the +4 RANKS would cost +8 SKILL POINTS for the Figther.

 

[diaglo]

It would be +4(for fighter4).

but since it is a crossclass skill. they can only have a max of 2 points from the fighter class of 4 lvls.

4 divided by 2 = 2.