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geekintheground
2013-11-01, 05:04 AM
if a template give +X to a skill, does that stack with racial skill bonuses? i ask because a template seems like it would be a racial thing.

example: a Dark (ToM) Whisper Gnome (RoS) gets a +4 racial bonus to hide from being a Whisper Gnome, and a +8 to hide from the template. it doesnt even say its a bonus, let alone what kind it is.
Erik Vale
2013-11-01, 05:23 AM
Yes. Unnamed skill bonuses are untyped, and stack with everything.

However if the template names the bonus as a racial bonus, and your using a race with a bonus to the same thing, you only get the best bonus.
ArcturusV
2013-11-01, 05:25 AM
Long as they don't type the bonus, it stacks. For your example, yes, you'll have a +12 to Hide. But compare to say, the Felid template which lists the bonus to hide as a +2 Racial Bonus, it would do nothing and you'd just keep the better +4 off the Whisper Gnome.
geekintheground
2013-11-01, 05:31 AM
wow, thats awesome! thanks guys, huge help.
KillianHawkeye
2013-11-01, 06:29 AM
Actually, racial bonuses always stack, so you would get everything in any case.
Ashes
2013-11-01, 06:41 AM
Actually, racial bonuses always stack, so you would get everything in any case.

Source for that?
Khedrac
2013-11-01, 07:21 AM
Be careful, I think you will find the Whisper Gnome's is a size bonus (from being small - unless get that as well) and size bonuses will not stack, you just use the one for the end size.
KillianHawkeye
2013-11-01, 07:43 AM
Source for that?

Player's Handbook 3.5, page 171

With the exception of dodge bonuses, most circumstance bonuses, and racial bonuses, only the better bonus works



EDIT:

Be careful, I think you will find the Whisper Gnome's is a size bonus (from being small - unless get that as well) and size bonuses will not stack, you just use the one for the end size.

No, they get a racial bonus on top of their size bonus.
GilesTheCleric
2013-11-01, 10:37 AM
Player's Handbook 3.5, page 171




EDIT:


No, they get a racial bonus on top of their size bonus.

That quote comes from the combining magical effects section of the phb. RC page 21 says that only dodge and circumstance bonuses stack.
Karnith
2013-11-01, 11:16 AM
That quote comes from the combining magical effects section of the phb. RC page 21 says that only dodge and circumstance bonuses stack.
The Dungeon Master's Guide (p. 21) also comes down against racial bonuses stacking. Primary source rules? OH BOY