Skills represent a creature's ability to perform an ordinary task, such as climb a wall, sneak down a hallway, or spot an intruder. The number of ranks possessed by a creature in a given skill represents its proficiency in that skill.
Each skill has an associated ability score. The associated ability score modifier is added to all skill checks.
Each time a character gains a new level in a class, they gain a number of new skill points based on that class, plus 1/2 of their Intelligence modifier. For example, an Intelligence of 12 (a +1 bonus) would grant 1 extra skill rank at 1st and 3rd level but not 2nd or 4th level. An Intelligence of 14 (a +2 bonus) would grant 1 extra skill rank every level.
Class Skills[]
Each class has a number of favored skills, called class skills. It is easier for your character to become more proficient in these skills, as they represent part of his professional training and constant practice. You gain a +3 bonus on all class skills that you put ranks into. If you have more than one class and both grant you a class skill bonus, these bonuses do not stack.
Some backgrounds also turn certain skills into class skills and as such add more flexibility to character building.
Sorcerers gain an additional class skill from their bloodline. Kineticists gain one or two additional class skills from their elemental focus.
Possessed Shaman Shaman gets Shared Skill and Wandering Skill mechanics which allow her to apply Wisdom modifier to skills of her choosing. Their rank in chosen skills also automatically equals the shaman's level, which fully overwrites the actual skill rank (be it 0 or 20), therefore it's no use increasing skills chosen as shared skills.
Skills[]
| Name | Effect | Is a class skill for* | Expertise (+1/2 class level)** | Backgrounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletics (Str) | Climbing, swimming, overcoming obstacles with brute strength | Barbarian, Bard, Druid, Fighter, Inquisitor, Magus, Monk, Ranger, Rogue, Slayer Arcane Trickster, Eldritch Knight, Stalwart Defender |
Earth or Water Kineticist (Feat) Strength Domain (Cleric/Inquisitor/Divine Hunter Hunter) |
Any Craftsman background
Shackles Corsair, Ustalavic Peasant |
| Mobility (Dex) | Moving without provoking attacks of opportunity, climbing, squeezing through tight spots | Barbarian, Bard, Inquisitor, Kineticist, Monk, Rogue, Slayer Aldori Swordlord, Arcane Trickster, Dragon Disciple, Duelist |
Martial Disciple, River Kingdoms Daredevil, Shackles Corsair, Warrior of the Linnorm Kings, Acrobat | |
| Stealth (Dex) | Hiding from people, camp camouflage, avoiding global map encounters | Bard, Inquisitor, Kineticist, Monk, Ranger, Rogue, Slayer Arcane Trickster |
Espionage Expert Ranger | Mwangi Hunter, Pickpocket, Bounty Hunter |
| Trickery (Dex) | Stealing, disarming traps, picking locks | Alchemist, Bard, Inquisitor, Rogue Arcane Trickster |
Archaeologist Bard Seeker Oracle Seeker Sorcerer |
Any Street Urchin background
Courtier, Varisian Explorer |
| Knowledge (Arcana) (Int) | Information about magic, scribing arcane scrolls, identification of items | Alchemist, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Inquisitor, Magus, Paladin, Ranger, Sorcerer, Wizard Arcane Trickster, Dragon Disciple, Eldritch Knight, Mystic Theurge |
Bard (most archetypes) Skald (most archetypes) Loremaster Disciple of the Pike Cavalier Demonbane Priest Cleric Divine Scion Paladin Demonslayer Ranger Master of All Rogue |
Alkentar Alchemist, Chelaxian Diabolist, Nexial Scholar, Scholar (Arcane) |
| Knowledge (World) (Int) | Information about the world, cooking, brewing potions | Alchemist, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Inquisitor, Magus, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Slayer, Wizard Aldori Swordlord, Arcane Trickster, Dragon Disciple, Eldritch Knight |
Bard (most archetypes) Skald (most archetypes) Loremaster Divine Scion Paladin Master of All Rogue Earth Kineticist (Feat) |
Emissary, Osirian Historian, Varisian Explorer, Mercenary |
| Lore (Nature) (Wis) | Knowledge of nature, surviving in the wild, skinning animals, basic healing | Alchemist, Barbarian, Bard, Druid, Fighter, Inquisitor, Paladin, Ranger, Slayer, Wizard Arcane Trickster, Dragon Disciple |
Bard (most archetypes) Skald (most archetypes) Shifter (all archetypes except Wild Effigy) Loremaster Beastkin Berserker Barbarian Disciple of the Pike Cavalier Divine Herbalist Oracle Divine Scion Paladin Master of All Rogue Air, Fire or Water Kineticist (Feat) |
Healer (INT instead of WIS)
Any Wanderer background Farmhand, Mwangi Hunter, Qadiran Wanderer, |
| Lore (Religion) (Wis) | Knowledge of religions and deities, scribing divine scrolls, resisting abyssal corruption while camping | Bard, Cleric, Inquisitor, Monk, Paladin, Wizard Arcane Trickster, Dragon Disciple, Mystic Theurge |
Bard (most archetypes; Dirge Bard gets the bonus twice) Skald (most archetypes) Loremaster Divine Scion Paladin Master of All Rogue |
Healer (INT instead of WIS) and any other Oblate background
Gebbite Necromancer, Mendevian Orphan, Scholar (Divine) |
| Perception (Wis) | Taking notice of details, finding hidden objects and traps, keeping watch at camp | Alchemist, Barbarian, Bard, Druid, Inquisitor, Kineticist, Monk, Ranger, Rogue, Slayer Aldori Swordlord, Arcane Trickster, Dragon Disciple, Duelist, Eldritch Knight, Mystic Theurge, Stalwart Defender |
Inquisitor (all archetypes except for Tactical Leader, Morale bonus) Rogue (all archetypes except for Thug and Knife Master) All Slayer archetypes (Feat) Archaeologist Bard Urban Hunter Hunter (Insight bonus) Espionage Expert Ranger |
Qadiran Wanderer, Hunter, Guard |
| Persuasion (Cha) | Socially manipulating others, intimidating enemies in battle | Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Fighter, Inquisitor, Kineticist, Magus, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Slayer, Sorcerer Aldori Swordlord, Arcane Trickster, Dragon Disciple, Duelist |
Inquisitor (all archetypes except for Tactical Leader) (Intimidate, morale bonus) Tactical Leader (Diplomacy, morale bonus) Beastkin Berserker Barbarian (Intimidate) Chelaxian Diva Bard (Diplomacy, Bluff), Dirge Bard (Intimidate) Fearsome Leader Cavalier (Intimidate) Court Poet Skald (All Persuasion checks), Battle Scion Skald (Intimidate), Inciter Skald (Intimidate & Bluff) Espionage Expert Ranger (Bluff) Chelaxian Diva Bard (Bluff) Aldori Swordlord (Intimidate) |
Any Noble background
Acolyte (WIS instead of CHA) Aldori Swordsman, Andoren Diplomat, Mugger, Gladiator |
| Use Magic Device (Cha) | Using wands and scrolls | Alchemist, Bard, Inquisitor, Kineticist, Magus, Rogue, Sorcerer | Scroll Savant Wizard Magic Deceiver Arcanist (Magic Inventor) |
Scholar (Arcane or Divine) |
*Bards and Inquisitors specialize in all skills.
**These classes can add half of their level to their mastery in the respective skill. For most, it's a guaranteed feature, but Kineticist and Slayer can (and need to) learn a special feat to get that bonus. Also Good Domain grants the one who has it an ability to give a target a sacred bonus on skill checks equal to the cleric's level for 1 round.
Skill Points per Level[]
| Class | Archetype | SP per level |
|---|---|---|
| Alchemist | Any | 3 |
| Arcanist | Any | 2 |
| Barbarian | Any | 3 |
| Bard | Any | 4 |
| Bloodrager | Any | 3 |
| Cavalier | Any | 3 |
| Cleric | Most | 2 |
| Herald Caller and Ecclesitheurge | 3 | |
| Druid | Most | 3 |
| Feyspeaker | 4 | |
| Fighter | Most | 2 |
| Armiger and Mutation Warrior | 3 | |
| Hunter | Any | 4 |
| Inquisitor | Any | 4 |
| Kineticist | Any | 2 |
| Magus | Any | 2 |
| Monk | Any | 3 |
| Oracle | Any | 3 |
| Paladin | Most | 2 |
| Divine Scion and Tortured Crusader | 3 | |
| Ranger | Any | 4 |
| Rogue | Most | 5 |
| Eldritch Scoundrel and Rowdy | 3 | |
| Shaman | Any | 2 |
| Shifter | Any | 3 |
| Skald | Any | 3 |
| Slayer | Any | 3 |
| Sorcerer | Any | 2 |
| Warpriest | Most | 2 |
| Cult Leader | 3 | |
| Witch | Most | 2 |
| Stigmatized Witch | 3 | |
| Wizard | Any | 2 |
| Aldori Swordlord | Prestige | 2 |
| Arcane Trickster | Prestige | 4 |
| Assassin | Prestige | 3 |
| Dragon Disciple | Prestige | 2 |
| Duelist | Prestige | 3 |
| Eldritch Knight | Prestige | 2 |
| Hellknight | Prestige | 2 |
| Hellknight Signifer | Prestige | 2 |
| Loremaster | Prestige | 3 |
| Mystic Theurge | Prestige | 2 |
| Stalwart Defender | Prestige | 2 |
| Student of War | Prestige | 4 |
| Winter Witch | Prestige | 2 |