Stat requirements

[glass]

I'll add my voice to the 'magic items work' camp.

If your 'natural' Str is 11 and you are wearing gauntlets +2, then you strength is 13 and you qualify for PA. Not '13 but really 11', just 13.


glass.

 

[IcyCool]

In my view of levelling up, it's not allowed. Temporary boosts to abilities are not sufficient for prerequisites for feats or requirements for PrCs.

Let's say you have a 13th level cleric with a 16 base Wisdom and a Periapt of Wisdom +2 (for a total Wisdom score of 18). Do you allow him to cast 7th level spells? After all, he doesn't "really" have a Wisdom of 17 or higher.

 

[Patlin]

I've considered taking power attack for my 8 strength druid to use in bear form, but so far I've avoided it because I figure it will create an argument. I think it would be legal, though...

 

[Li Shenron]

I always suggest the players not to count on their magic items for this, just because even if you allow it, as soon as the magic item isn't available for some reason (you removed it to sleep, you enter an antimagic zone, you're subject to some dispel magic...) you cannot use the feat and everything that has it as a prerequisite.

But even if I don't like the idea, it is probably valid by the rules. At least I would require you to have worn the item for most of the time since the last time you have taken a feat.

 

[glass]

I've considered taking power attack for my 8 strength druid to use in bear form, but so far I've avoided it because I figure it will create an argument. I think it would be legal, though...

It would be legal, as long as you elect to level up while in bear form (or any other form with a Str of 13+).


glass.

 

[Li Shenron]

It would be legal, as long as you elect to level up while in bear form (or any other form with a Str of 13+).

I certainly think that Patlin's specific case deserves to be allowed more than any other case mentioned in this thread.

But I think that requiring to level up while in bear form, if you mean that the druid should be wildshaped for a few minuted while the player updates the PC sheet, would be quite ridiculous...

 

[cmanos]

personally, I would rule against it, but allow case by case bases.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

If using items to fulfill feat prerequisites wouldn't work, than a lot of feats (especially those from splat books) have basically inattainable prerequisites.

In our group, we allow all bonus that last at least 24 hours count for fulfilling feat prerequisites and bonus spells per day (which is, IIRC, not the RAW in 3.5 anymore).
I think it is only fair considering that even a temporary loss of an ability can make it impossible for you to use a feat or cast a spell.

 

[KarinsDad]

Do you allow a Headband of Intellect to grant additional skill points?

Headband of Intellect: This device is a light cord with a small gem set so that it rests upon the forehead of the wearer. The headband adds to the wearer’s Intelligence score in the form of an enhancement bonus of +2, +4, or +6. This enhancement bonus does not earn the wearer extra skill points when a new level is attained; use the unenhanced Intelligence bonus to determine skill points.

If not, why would you allow it to meet a feat prerequisite?

If so, do you record which skill ranks it was applicable to if it is lost, destroyed, or stolen?


The FAQ does not talk about feats, but it does state that you can gain bonus spells as long as you slept with the item. But, you also lose the extra spells (uncast ones first) if you no longer are wearing the item (or it is destroyed).

The DMG implies (in the tables) that if your Int goes up, you retroactively get extra skill points for earlier levels AND you get extra skill points for a headband of intellect. This disagrees with the description of a Headband of Intellect. So, if they made an error here with the headband, did they also make an error with the retroactive skill points?


So, the intent of WotC is not totally clear.


However, I think that like skill points, feats are permanent unique abilities that other creatures might not have. In other words, when your Strength goes from 13 to 14, the bonuses you gain are the exact same ones as when any other creature's Strength goes from 13 to 14.

Skill points and feats are unique to each creature. A creature could take the same as you, but usually not. So just like skill points, feat prerequisites should not be gained via items. IMO.

 

[glass]

I certainly think that Patlin's specific case deserves to be allowed more than any other case mentioned in this thread.

But I think that requiring to level up while in bear form, if you mean that the druid should be wildshaped for a few minuted while the player updates the PC sheet, would be quite ridiculous...

Not for a few minutes while he updates the sheet: at the precise moment that he selects the feat.

Ridiculous or not, thats the RAW: You need to meet the prerequisite to level up. To meet the prerequisite you must be wildshaped. Therefore, to select the feat you must be wildshaped.


glass.