Can a skill item increase your effective rank above your level max rank?

[incog64]

For example, can a level 2 character with a max rank of 2 in balance use +3 balance item to qualify for the skill trick of nimble charge.

Thanks

[Tzardok]

That won't work. Magic items don't increase your skill ranks. They give a bonus on skill checks, but that isn't the same thing. On the other hand, that means that the bonus you gain from the item is not affected by any level based caps.

[Quertus]

Yeah, it’s like asking, “can a high stat increase your effective rank above your level max rank?” or “can a circumstance bonus or synergy bonus increase your effective rank above your level max rank?”. It just don’t work that way.

[incog64]

Thanks yall.

[pabelfly]

The only way I know within 3.5 rules to increase ranks beyond the level +3 cap is the "Primary Contact" feat, which requires the "Favored" feat. There might be some prestige classes where this helps you get into the class a level early, but spending two feats for it is not an insignificant cost.

[Chronos]

Given the general design of "specific trumps general", it would in principle be possible for a magic item to exist that has the effect you describe. But no such items do exist, certainly not in first-party material, and I think not either in any reputable third-party.

[ciopo]

void disciple 4th level feature moment of clarity is the only other one I know, but it's a temporary increase

"The target gains either one feat or a number of ranks in one skill equal to his relevant ability modifier for that skill"

[Inevitability]

There's a few items that grant actual skill ranks; Lords of Madness has the Codex Anathema, which has the following text:


If anyone reads this book (a minimum of 48 hours over at least six days), she gains an inherent bonus of +2 to her Intelligence score, but loses 2 points from her Wisdom score. In addition, she gains 5 ranks of Knowledge (dungeoneering), 2 ranks of Knowledge (arcana), and 2 ranks of Knowledge (the planes).

It's a normal craftable magic item, theoretically affordable from 10th-level on if you dedicate your full WBL to it.

But yeah, unless the item is worded like this, it just gives a bonus, not actual ranks.

[Bullet06320]

Yenejg Togan's Planar Syllabus (Dungeon 88 p 104) grants 6 ranks in Knowledge (the planes)

Laborious Training - (Legacy of the Blood) - Your maximum rank in any Intelligence-based skill equals 5 + your character level. must have Int 13, Knowledge (any one) 5 ranks
which is from a Ravenloft book, which is weird case, 3rd party but the Ravenloft name was licensed to whitewolf for 3rd edition printing

[samduke]

The Feat: Prodigy (skill) (Planescape) <Wizards of the Coast gave permission to them to update the Planescape setting to Third Edition> which is then 3.5 legal.

Prodigy feat grants: Benefits: Your maximum rank in 1 skill is raised to level + 6, and it is considered a class skill. Any single skill may be chosen

[Bullet06320]

The Feat: Prodigy (skill) (Planescape) <Wizards of the Coast gave permission to them to update the Planescape setting to Third Edition> which is then 3.5 legal.

Prodigy feat grants: Benefits: Your maximum rank in 1 skill is raised to level + 6, and it is considered a class skill. Any single skill may be chosen

where is that feat located?

[Tzardok]

The planewalker website that did the conversion doesn't exist anymore, but the webarchive archived their downloads here:

Chapter 1 (https://web.archive.org/web/20230208181236/https://planewalker.com/pscs-chapter-1_.html)

Chapter 2 (https://web.archive.org/web/20230208181239/https://planewalker.com/pscs-chapter-2_.html)

Chapter 3 (https://web.archive.org/web/20230208181239/https://planewalker.com/pscs-chapter-3_.html)

Chapter 4
(https://web.archive.org/web/20230208181235/https://planewalker.com/pscs-chapter-4_.html)
Chapter 5 (https://web.archive.org/web/20230208181235/https://planewalker.com/pscs-chapter-5_.html)

Chapter 6 (https://web.archive.org/web/20230313160326/https://planewalker.com/pscs-chapter-6_.html)

Chapter 7 (https://web.archive.org/web/20230208181235/https://planewalker.com/pscs-chapter-7_.html)

Chapter 8 (https://web.archive.org/web/20230313160326/https://planewalker.com/pscs-chapter-8_.html)

Chapter 9 (https://web.archive.org/web/20230313160326/https://planewalker.com/pscs-chapter-9_.html)

Feats are in Chapter 4.

Edit: The conversion may be 3.5 legal and done with permission, but it still counts as 3rd party.

[Morphic tide]

There's also Bloodline levels increasing your maximum ranks as if they're cross-class levels without increasing your actual ECL (or giving you skill points to fill them), so class 1/Bloodline 3/class +1 has max ranks of a 5th-level character 6k XP early with the XP acceleration of technically being 1-2 levels behind the party. You'll want a character with a lot of skill points and good class level keyed progression to leverage it well.

[daremetoidareyo]

Given the general design of "specific trumps general", it would in principle be possible for a magic item to exist that has the effect you describe. But no such items do exist, certainly not in first-party material, and I think not either in any reputable third-party.

Tel Kirra grants knowledge ranks.

[Bullet06320]

Tel Kirra grants knowledge ranks.

it doesnt actually grant you the skill ranks, just lets you use the ones it has

@Tzardok I'm familar with those pdfs, im just not seeing that particular feat, it must be hiding in some weird spot

[Tzardok]

Maybe. I didn't actually look it up; I just assumed samduke gave the correct location information.