Using ability boosting magic items to qualify for feats?

[3d6+15]

I apologize in advance if this has been asked before (I am sure it has but can't find it.)

Please feel free to direct me to any already existing threads (I'm not a paying supporter and cannot search, shame on me!)

Ok, I'll present the question by an example. This question pertains to 3.5E.

A level 5 Fighter with a 16 dex, also has Gloves of Dex +2 making it 18. This fighter wants to take Improved Two Weapon Fighting at level 6. He meets all the pre-req's except the dex requirement (17) unless his gloves of dexterity count.

Is this allowed officially? If so, can someone help me locate a source for this? I've been pouring over my books and dragon magazine issues and searching what I can and have not found it.

If it is not specifically allowed officially, and by some strange cosmic burp this has not already been discussed to death, feel free to do so!

 

[Dark Dragon]

Well, AFAIK, the feat description says, that the character needs DEX 18 to qualify ITW. It doesn't say anything about how DEX 18 is gained. So, using the gloves would be fine.

But if the guy loses them, he can't use ITW unless his DEX reaches 18 somehow...

 

[3d6+15]

And I personally agree with that logic.

I can't quote the sources for this at the moment, but I seem to recall that in 3E, if you had a headband of intellect on for most of the time during a whole level you would get extra skillpoints from the raised INT, but this does not appear to be true in 3.5E. The same passage (I want to say it was in the DMG in magic items, or it might be in the "level-up steps" in the PHB) actually says you don't get increased skillpoints from INT boosts from magic items. (Although you do get bonus spells and DC's)

That is really what is making me question my original assumption and search for a source.

 

[maddman75]

I don't think there's a source, though it does say that if you no longer meet the requirements for a feat you cannot use it. That would lead me to the above conclusion, that you can take the feat, but can only use it while wearing the Gloves.

 

[Scion]

The no skill points from the int booster item is a special case of that item (one that I personally disagree with, it pretty well kills anyones need for the item other than primary int spellcasters, and limits choices)

In all other cases the items work as normal. If you have a stat of X and need a stat of X or less for a feat then you qualify for it just fine.

It is up to the dm what exactly qualifies and how much time you need it. Such as, for the druid I would allow taking many feats that he could only use while wildshaped, so long as he spent sufficient time being able to use it ahead of time. Some dms would allow people to take feats that require you to be a certain size, even if you only qualify while enlarged or something similar (hey, if you have it cast on you for just about every battle then for important times it certainly seems like you should be getting the hang of it )

But in any event, so long as you have the prereq's you can gain the feat. If you gain the prereq's via an item then you still have the prereq's, so you qualify and can take it.

 

[dcollins]

Is this allowed officially? If so, can someone help me locate a source for this? I've been pouring over my books and dragon magazine issues and searching what I can and have not found it.

It has not been answered officially. Most DMs seem to allow it.

 

[UltimaGabe]

The no skill points from the int booster item is a special case of that item (one that I personally disagree with, it pretty well kills anyones need for the item other than primary int spellcasters, and limits choices).

Have you got any problems with Charisma-boosting items? Because as it is, there's just as much reason to get either one.

 

[Scion]

charisma is a completely seperate issue. The cha boosting item boosts up everything cha does, the int one does not do everything int does.

Just because not every stat is considered equal has no bearing here.

Although, cha based skills are some of the most far reaching and strongest, so I suppose that is part of the balancing factor.

Also, in my games I use a modified action point system which grants extra ones based on cha. So it still works out more even in mine.

But again, just because not all stats are equal in everyones eyes has no bearing. One is complete, the other is not. For no good reason.

 

[Axegrrl]

Just saw something on this in the Epic book, IIRC (apologies; too late for me to remember details/look it up now). The feat in question required a constitution of 25. If you meet the pre-requisites via magic item, you can take the feat. If, however, you lose said magic item, you can not use the feat nor gain the advantages of the feat until your stat is back up to (or over) the minimum value required by the feat.

 

[Scion]

what epic feat? I know it is late and I am tired, but what??

Still though, it is true under any conditions, if you no longer meet the prereq's for a feat then you cannot use it until you get the prereq's back. Although you may still use feats that you have after it that are based on it, you simply cannot use it, but you still have it.