Int bumps, treasure by level and skill points

[Particle_Man]

If one had a 3.5 gray elf warblade (going for warblade 10/eternal blade 10) that at level 1 has int 20, and plans by level 20 to have, in addition to “the usual” (weapon, armour, shield, etc.), items to stat boost int (headband of intellect, tone of clear thought), and who will increase int every 4 levels, what would be a reasonable way to judge how many skill points this pc character would have at levels 5, 10, 15 and 20?

And yes, I understand it could be suboptimal to prioritize int over str, con and dex. But I am doing it anyhow.

[AvatarVecna]

If one had a 3.5 gray elf warblade (going for warblade 10/eternal blade 10) that at level 1 has int 20, and plans by level 20 to have, in addition to “the usual” (weapon, armour, shield, etc.), items to stat boost int (headband of intellect, tone of clear thought), and who will increase int every 4 levels, what would be a reasonable way to judge how many skill points this pc character would have at levels 5, 10, 15 and 20?

And yes, I understand it could be suboptimal to prioritize int over str, con and dex. But I am doing it anyhow.

Reasonably way? "We're using retroactive skill points."

Realistic way? You're gonna have to actually figure out what your Int was at every level.

[Bavarian itP]

Keep in mind that only inherent bonuses increase your skill points. A headband of intellect is irrelevant for this question. A tome of clear thoughts, on the other hand, is relevant, and of course the ability score increases every four levels.

[Inevitability]

Absolutely maximizing skill points:

Start ECL 1: 20
Start ECL 4: 21
Start ECL 8: 22
Partway through ECL 10 we buy the +2 tome, getting us to 24.
Start ECL 12: 25
Partway through ECL 15 we buy the +4 tome, getting us to 27.
Start ECL 16: 28
Partway through ECL 19 buy the +5 tome, getting us to 29.
Start ECL 20: 30


This gives you:

36 skill points at level 1
9 skill points at 2-7 each
10 skill points at 8-10 each
9 skill points at 11-15 each
10 skill points at 16
11 skill points at 17-19 each
12 skill points at 20

For a total of 36+54+30+45+10+33+12 = 220 skill points! Not very economical, though: you're spending over 300000 gold on this.

Personally, I'd buy a +4 tome right before the level 13 levelup and leave it at that, which is a one-time expenditure of 110000 GP and gives a final skill point total of 217. Three points probably aren't worth 190000 gold pieces.

(If you care about maximizing intelligence moreso than maximizing skill points, holding out one level longer and buying a +5 tome instead gives you the same final skill point total but a final stat of 30 instead of 29. It does, however, cost 27500 extra)

[loky1109]

Absolutely maximizing skill points:

Start ECL 1: 20

I think Stat, not Start


This gives you:

28 skill points at level 1
9 skill points at 2-7 each
10 skill points at 8-10 each
9 skill points at 11-15 each
10 skill points at 16
11 skill points at 17-19 each
12 skill points at 20

Sorry, what?

[Inevitability]

I think Stat, not Start

I am referring to the start, the beginning, of that particular level. This is to distinguish them from the item-boosts, which are obtained during a level.

If you get an ability boost at the start of level 12, you benefit from it when calculating skill points for your 12th HD. If you get an ability boost during level 12, you do not benefit from it when calculating skill points for your 12th HD.


Sorry, what?

The character is a:

Warblade 10/Eternal Blade 10

Warblade's skill points per level are: 4 + int. Eternal Blade's skill points per level are: 2 + int.

At the start of level 10 (your final warblade level), you have 22 intelligence, so your skill points for that level are 4 + 6 = 10.
You buy a tome during level 10.
At the start of level 11 (your first eternal blade level), you have 24 intelligence, so your skill points for that level are 2 + 7 = 9.

Do you have any questions subsequently.

[Zanos]

Keep in mind that only inherent bonuses increase your skill points. A headband of intellect is irrelevant for this question. A tome of clear thoughts, on the other hand, is relevant, and of course the ability score increases every four levels.

From what I recall this rule is only listed in fox's cunning and headband of intellect. Any other source of bonus to your int, including enhancement bonuses that aren't either of those two, would affect your skill points.

[loky1109]

Do you have any questions subsequently.

Looks as I didn't wake up. )))

[Biggus]

From what I recall this rule is only listed in fox's cunning and headband of intellect. Any other source of bonus to your int, including enhancement bonuses that aren't either of those two, would affect your skill points.

No, PHB p.58 spells it out:


Use your character’s current Intelligence score, including all permanent changes (such as inherent bonuses, ability drains, or an Intelligence increase gained at step 4, above) but not any temporary changes (such as ability damage, or enhancement bonuses gained from spells or magic items, such as a headband of intellect), to determine the number of skill points you gain.

[Inevitability]

No, PHB p.58 spells it out:

Huh, I didn't know ability drain counted. I guess that's some oldschool D&D seeping through, where you might end up having your stats permanently reduced and that's just something to live with, instead of something to fix at the next temple?

[Bavarian itP]

28 skill points at level 1


This is still an error, right? (4+5)*4=36

[Inevitability]

This is still an error, right? (4+5)*4=36

Ah, right you are. Will amend.

[Biggus]

Huh, I didn't know ability drain counted.

Actually, neither did I.


I guess that's some oldschool D&D seeping through, where you might end up having your stats permanently reduced and that's just something to live with, instead of something to fix at the next temple?

Sounds likely, I know pre-WotC D&D was considerably more deadly/sadistic.