Odd Numbered Skill points?

[WizarDru]

I've noticed that all of the classes in the core (and elsewhere, from what I can recall) all have an even number of skill points per level. The rogue, for example, gains (8 + Int), down to the fighter, who gains (2 + Int).

Is there a specific taboo against giving, say 5 skill points per level for a class? Is there a specific reason or pattern that I haven't noticed that determines that they should only be even numbers for core and prestige classes, or any reason why not to use the occasional odd number, instead?

I'm not arguing against using even numbers, I'm just curious if there was a design decision behind it, or it they just worked out that way due to convienence or just dumb luck.

 

[Aaron2]

I'm not arguing against using even numbers, I'm just curious if there was a design decision behind it, or it they just worked out that way due to convienence or just dumb luck.

Its probably just to make it easier to remember. 2, 4, 6, 8: that's only four possible values. With bonuses for Int and being Human, odd skill points per level are almost as common as even ones.


Aaron

 

[Nail]

I'll bet even numbers were chosen for two reasons:

• Other things, like ability score racial mods and DM-imposed circumstance mods, are all in "2"s.
• To emphasize the differences in skill points between classes. After all, one extra skill point is not as significant as two extra skill points.

If I were you, I'd stick to "even numbers". The suposed extra flexibility you gain from chosing any number is illusionary.

 

[Azazu]

The Kalamar Players Guide has a character class with 3 skill points per level. Works quite well.

 

[Cheiromancer]

If you read supplements that work with D20 modern you will immediately notice that all classes have *odd* numbers of skill points. That's because D20 modern is "humanocentric" and automatically includes the +1 skill point/level that humans get. Characters all get 2 bonus feats at first level instead of 1, and another bonus feat at level 3 and every 3 levels thereafter. It's the same humanocentric bias.

It seems to be a very strong convention, and I would discourage flouting it. If I see a class with an odd number of skill points, I check if its for D20 Modern. If not, it counts as a mark against it!

But that's just me. YMMV, IANAL, etc.

 

[Crothian]

I think they kept to even because cross class skills cost 2, but that's just a guess.

I see nothing wrong with a class getting an odd amount of skill points per level.

 

[Thanee]

Maybe they have steps of 2, because of the underlying system, which is used to create a balance between the classes.

When I was trying to reverse engineer the modern classes (see house rule forum), I came to the conclusion, that 2 skill points are worth 1 "point", which is the same cost to turn a bad BAB into a medium BAB for one level or a medium BAB into a high BAB, for example. There seems to be nothing that is so small, that it would be worth only as much as 1 skill point, so they used multiples of 2.

Well, at least that's my guess.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Chorn]

It's worth noting that the Open Minded feat in the XPH gives 5 skill points each time you take it. The flavor feels psionic to me, but it's a [General] feat.

 

[Li Shenron]

I think they kept to even because cross class skills cost 2, but that's just a guess.

I thought the same before, an even number equals always an integer number of skills maxed out, class or cross-class. That of course ceases to be true as soon as you have an odd Int bonus

 

[Vrecknidj]

The WotC designers worship Evenikus, the god of even, positive integers. And, if you even try to make a class with an odd number of skill points, worshippers of Evenikus will hunt you down and rub spoiled milk in your hair.

Dave