Khedrac
2020-03-03, 07:42 AM
Or, more specifically, building a character who has optimized their Knowledge skills.
Race
This character is going to need to be Intelligence focussed, even if their actually classes are not, however we probably don't need to worry about this too much, a couple of extra points doesn't make a huge difference (no DCs) so we can go for something weird if it looks interesting to run.
First off - Human is always good with the extra skill point and feat.
Next up - grey elf, if we don't like the -2 Con then go for a dragonborn grey elf for -2 Str, +2 Int (and a hint of cheese).
Honourable mention to the dragonwrought kobold: -4 Str, +2 Dex but can abuse aging modifiers to start at Very Old (+2 Int) as they don't take the penalties (personally I would require the aging to be spread out across the character's levelling, so no bonus at level 1.)
Must mention in passing:
gnomes (all) for the feat to re-roll knowledge checks.
killoren - aspect of the ancient for +hit dice to Know: Nature, so +20 at 20th level...
Classes
Dragonfire Adept - take the draconic knowledge invocation to gain +6 to all knowledge checks, usable untrained. Only 4 skill points, but all knowledges on class list. Also, other class features can make the character quite effective even without optimizing Con for breath weapon DCs and Char for other DCs. Also, allows character to take draconic feats (see below)
Bard - obviously, but it can be nice not to use bard (or only dip).
Feats
Draconic Knowledge (DrM) - +1 to all knowledge skills per draconic feat +3 is pretty much automatic (dragontouched, draconic heritage X) but if you concentrate can get this to +5 or +6.
Draconic Aura: insight - another +1 to +4 (also boost allies), shame this does not appear to count as a draconic feat (you get the progression from being dragontouched).
Now assuming a 16 starting Int, with a +6 item, +5 from levelling and a +5 book that's a +11 stat modifier at level 20 (easily got higher).
Add in the auras and feats listed for another +9 and you are already looking at a +20 modifier for the knowledges with 0 ranks
With ranks you are looking at +41 (or +61 for a killoren on Know: nature)
So, what other sneaky tricks have I missed - this is very much a starting point as I see it.
Also, what items would you choose for a sage?
Race
This character is going to need to be Intelligence focussed, even if their actually classes are not, however we probably don't need to worry about this too much, a couple of extra points doesn't make a huge difference (no DCs) so we can go for something weird if it looks interesting to run.
First off - Human is always good with the extra skill point and feat.
Next up - grey elf, if we don't like the -2 Con then go for a dragonborn grey elf for -2 Str, +2 Int (and a hint of cheese).
Honourable mention to the dragonwrought kobold: -4 Str, +2 Dex but can abuse aging modifiers to start at Very Old (+2 Int) as they don't take the penalties (personally I would require the aging to be spread out across the character's levelling, so no bonus at level 1.)
Must mention in passing:
gnomes (all) for the feat to re-roll knowledge checks.
killoren - aspect of the ancient for +hit dice to Know: Nature, so +20 at 20th level...
Classes
Dragonfire Adept - take the draconic knowledge invocation to gain +6 to all knowledge checks, usable untrained. Only 4 skill points, but all knowledges on class list. Also, other class features can make the character quite effective even without optimizing Con for breath weapon DCs and Char for other DCs. Also, allows character to take draconic feats (see below)
Bard - obviously, but it can be nice not to use bard (or only dip).
Feats
Draconic Knowledge (DrM) - +1 to all knowledge skills per draconic feat +3 is pretty much automatic (dragontouched, draconic heritage X) but if you concentrate can get this to +5 or +6.
Draconic Aura: insight - another +1 to +4 (also boost allies), shame this does not appear to count as a draconic feat (you get the progression from being dragontouched).
Now assuming a 16 starting Int, with a +6 item, +5 from levelling and a +5 book that's a +11 stat modifier at level 20 (easily got higher).
Add in the auras and feats listed for another +9 and you are already looking at a +20 modifier for the knowledges with 0 ranks
With ranks you are looking at +41 (or +61 for a killoren on Know: nature)
So, what other sneaky tricks have I missed - this is very much a starting point as I see it.
Also, what items would you choose for a sage?