Skill Points: Do you max out a few skills or spread them around?

[Kichwas]

I tend to spread.

A habit that probably comes from having been a GURPS GM as far back as when it was still called 'The Fantasy Trip'.

 

[AGGEMAM]

The PHB suggests that you maximize a few skills, and believe you me that will become a very good idea.

 

[fba827]

I usually do the following (note, I don't do it as percisly and mathetmatically as it sounds here.. but this is the easiest I can describe it).

I make sure about 1/2 to 3/4 (depending on how many skill points I have) always (every level) get spent on a few select "key" skills that I consider defining for the character concept - try and keep those maxed out.

The remaining skill points every level are used on spplementry skills, these are rarely maxed out but rather just "dabbling" in them...

Oh, if i were ever in a position where I have SO few skill points to spend (2 or 1) then I'd use them on my main skill then every third level I'd use one or two on a supplementry skill

that's just how i do it anyway.

 

[Quickbeam]

Good point in a regular game however in the 3e games I have played in we have never seen skill or stat enhancing items (well 1 item that we were able to buy) The DM's are stills atuck in 2e mode and don't understand that in core 3e style magic is more or less technology and very common.

Ah well, the encounters are still fair and balanced so I can't complain, much

Thanks. I'm all for a low magic, low treasure campaign if it keeps the group happy...but NEVER if it reminded me in any way of 2E ! I'm not a big fan of 2E, as I've noted numerous times in countless threads on these very Boards .

If I knew ahead of time that magic items/spells were going to be harder to come by, our kept less powerful, I'd definitely put a bit more focus on the character's core skills.

 

[Olidammara]

I max out on the Bluff skill every chance I get. If you can fool people into believing anything you want, nothing else matters.

 

[Henry]

I max out on the Bluff skill every chance I get. If you can fool people into believing anything you want, nothing else matters.

We're talking about your characters, not you! (j/k)

Seriously, I use the 2/3 rule for most of my PC's. 2/3rds of my skill points I spend in key skills to keep them at capable levels; 1/3 (if I have it) I spend in oddball skills that I get a good bonus in anyway, or in skills that you cannot use untrained. There is something to be said to put points in "trained-only" skills, just so you can make the attempt when your specialist fails due to a terrible roll.

 

[trentonjoe]

I tend to spread them out. I have a 9th level character (3 rogue levels and 16 int so I have a lot of skill points) that has three skills at 8 ranks, and around 5 or so in the 4-6 range, and 2-3 in the 2-3 range.

Probably hurts me more than in helps me but I really prefer being able to do a bunch opf things over a few things real well!

 

[hong]

We're talking about your characters, not you! (j/k)

I max out on the Bluff skill every chance I get.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Well, I have no strict method (at least I didn`t analyze it), but I generally have 2 types of skill: Nice to have and "Defining" Skills.

The Nice to Have skills I usually raise not above 5 ranks (hey, this can give you some synergy bonus, and it usually is still a easy computable number ), expect I have found the skill especially useful or have some extra skill points to use.
The defining Skills of the characters are get maxed out.

For a Bard, this would be Perform and Gather Information, plus some different other skills. Oh, and never forget Use Magic Device
For a Rogue, that works as a Thief, search, disable Device and so on are maxed.
For a Rogue that would be something like a negotiater or spy I would max out the Charisma Based Skills and Sense Motive.
For a Rogue as a thug I would max out Initmidate and the combat related skills like Tumble.

For a Fighter, Ride is one of the more useful, maybe I would try to spend some cross class skills on Diplomacy (I did this at least once to get rid of the negative Charisma Modifier on these checks) and some ranks in Craft Skills.

And so on and so forth. I think you get it.

 

[jaults]

Well, I have no strict method (at least I didn`t analyze it), but I generally have 2 types of skill: Nice to have and "Defining" Skills.

The Nice to Have skills I usually raise not above 5 ranks (hey, this can give you some synergy bonus, and it usually is still a easy computable number ), expect I have found the skill especially useful or have some extra skill points to use.
The defining Skills of the characters are get maxed out.

This is exactly the way I tend to do it...

    Jason