Confused about skill caps and +skills items

[gortman]

I thought I had this figured out but now I've gone and confused myself again (very common problem for me!). Anyway, I want to make sure I understand how +skills from equipment are added to a character's current skills.

I realize with the max veteran's rewards, 720 is the base cap for total skills. However, folks here often talk of having 800 or more total skill points when equipment/jewelry is included.

So here's my question: must a character have eaten the applicable skills power scrolls in order to have the + skills items count, if those items take the character above 120 in that particular skill?

For example, my smith is currently at 119.3 real. If he equips a +30 hammer and a talisman that gives him +21 in blacksmithing, will his effective blacksmithing skill be 170.3?

If another smith, with 100.0 skill, not having eaten a 120 smithing power scroll, equips those same items, will his effective smithing skill be 151.0? Or only 100.0?

A related question, just to make sure I "get it":
If you've taken a skill to GM that does not offer power scrolls, do the +skills items add to the effective skill?

Thanks for your help and patience!

 

[hawkeye_pike]

So here's my question: must a character have eaten the applicable skills power scrolls in order to have the + skills items count, if those items take the character above 120 in that particular skill?

Usually a skill cannot raise above your character's cap. If the cap is 100, have 100 of real skill and wear a +10 ring, you'd need a 110 powerscroll to make the ring count.

Ancient smithing hammers are an exception, as well as blacksmith golves of mining. As far as I know, there are no talismans increasing the skill. They just increase your success chance.

 

[gortman]

Hawkeye,

Thanks for your quick and succinct reply - helps a lot!

Usually a skill cannot raise above your character's cap. If the cap is 100, have 100 of real skill and wear a +10 ring, you'd need a 110 powerscroll to make the ring count.

Ancient smithing hammers are an exception, as well as blacksmith golves of mining. As far as I know, there are no talismans increasing the skill. They just increase your success chance.

 

[Kellgory]

The +30 ash increases the skill, so in effect your char would have 149 smith skill. The tailisman on the other hand only increases the odds of crafting the item, so if you have an 80% chance to create the item and equip a +20 tali then you would have 100%. If you have 100% before equiping a tali then it has no effect unless the chance of making it exceptional is less than 100%.

For all other skills you are capped at how high your scrolled up too. So if you've eaten a 120 archery scroll and your natural skill is at 115 and equip the hunters headress then you will only gain the use of 5 of the archery bonus and not the full 20.

 

[gortman]

Thanks for the great info Kellgory and Hawkeye!