Stat requirements

[Twowolves]

I'm pretty sure I read this here before, but I can't recall. Can you choose a feat which requires a minimum stat if you only meet the requirement when you are wearing a stat-boosting magic item? Such as taking the Combat Expertise feat (Int:13 requisite) when you have an Int of 12 and wearing a Headband of Intellect +2 for a total Int of 14?

 

[Crothian]

The rules seem to allow it, but I don't in my own games.

 

[JimAde]

In my game I would allow it, but of course you lose access to any feats you don't currently qualify for. So if you lose that headband, you lose Combat Expertise and any feats that depend on it (like Improved Trip). I figure if the player really wants to build his character on a house of cards that's his problem...

 

[Cabral]

I could've sworn there was a rule explicitly forbidding this, but I have no idea where

 

[Storm Raven]

I could've sworn there was a rule explicitly forbidding this, but I have no idea where

No, there is not. The rules allow for it, and I see no reason not to allow it.

 

[rbrt_spade]

I would say it is fine to takes the feats whe using magic idems that boost your stats, but as the others of said, it something happens to that magic idem, your shot. I would not try to make a chain of feats depending on that magic idem.

 

[Infiniti2000]

The answer to this question depends entirely on how you let characters level. Since it is undefined (in terms of how long, when it starts, what it requires, etc.), you can't say that the rules disallow it, but nor can you say the rules allow it. For example, one person defines levelling up as an instantaneous event that occurs when the character decides. The character could, for example, read an 8th-level scroll of divine power, gain a +8 BAB, and then level up to 3rd level and take improved critical as his 3rd level feat because he suddenly qualifies for it. Now, granted, he can't use the feat unless he has the prerequisite again so this example has limited application. But arguments can then be made for other feats using such feats as prerequisites or for PrC entries.

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.

 

[Staffan]

I allow it, as long as it's a reasonably permanent increase - a headband of intellect would qualify, but fox's cunning wouldn't.

 

[foxwick]

I'm against this - to me stat requirements are before any conditional or temporary bonuses, whether conditional on wearing an item, or temporary from a spell.

 

[Scion]

Definately works, but your dm has to work out how long you have to have it in order to gain it.

Of course, they have to do this for pretty much everything.. one could be reincarnated as a creature with a high stat as well, when are they allowed to take feats which take advantage of it? How does one gain a good portion of the epic feats without items being allowed?

Personally, as long as a person says that their character is doing specific training during the periods that they have the boost I allow it. I even allow a human who uses an enlarge person spell several times a day and does training while in it to take feats which reqire being large, or having reach.. of course, whenever they do not meet the prereqs then they cant use that feat, but that is beside the point