[D&D] Buying skills as a multiclass character

[trendel]

OK, so I thought I had a handle on this, but I was lokoing at the rulebooks and realized the text that I recalled didn't state exactly what I thought it did.

When you multiclass, it clearly states the max number of ranks that you can have in any skill. For example, a Rog1/Wiz1 could have Spellcraft total ranks of 5. But how are those ranks purchased? Say the first class was the wizard. He would buy four ranks in Spellcraft as class skills, for a total of 4 skill points spent.

Then, when he multiclasses to rogue at level 2, would he have to spend 2 skill points like the skill was a cross-class skill or just 1 skill point like it was a class skill?

Looking through the SRD, there seems to be some wording in the skill section indicating that you perhaps only purchase them as class skills for the level that you have just gained. Can anyone help me out here?

[akiko]

This was one of the 3.0-3.5 changes IIRC. First to answer your question. When you spend skill points from any given class they are always spent as the skill list determines them. Meaning when gaining a level of Rogue you always spends 2 for a rank in Spellcraft regardless of other classes you may have gained before.

(For arguments sake this is outside of PrCs or Domains or Races that state X skill is always in class, blah, blah, blah)

However the limit is determined by all classes. So a Wizard1/Rogue2 can place up to 6 ranks in spellcraft. Previously this part was not so.

[Mercutio]

Then, when he multiclasses to rogue at level 2, would he have to spend 2 skill points like the skill was a cross-class skill Yes.

you perhaps only purchase them as class skills for the level that you have just gained.Yes.

I can't point to direct language, but you buy skills, feats, and get class abilities when you level up, and all of those are determined by the class level you just gained. Just like hit points.

[akiko]

<SRD Link (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/classes/multiclass.htm)>
Skills
If a skill is a class skill for any of a multiclass character’s classes, then character level determines a skill’s maximum rank. (The maximum rank for a class skill is 3 + character level.)

If a skill is not a class skill for any of a multiclass character’s classes, the maximum rank for that skill is one-half the maximum for a class skill.

[trendel]

Thanks. Confirmed what I thought, but I just couldn't find anything to back it up.