Changing Familiar Skill Bonus

[RPGuy]

Hi. I'm seeking the answer to one, very particular, question. I need to change the skill bonus on a familiar. I'm fine with using the pre-existing "Lizard" as a template, but I need to change the bonus from Climb to Stealth, and I cannot figure out how to do that.

I'm not a developer per se. I have some coding and HTML skills, but they're all rusty and out of date. I can muddle my way through code and know just enough to be dangerous.

 

[Mathias]

Is this a house rule that will apply to all Lizard familiars, or do you want to create a variant that will exist alongside the regular version?

How far have you gotten?

Have you copied the existing lizard?

Have you looked at the eval script on that race, and are having trouble understanding how to change the skill it alters?

 

[RPGuy]

I think it would be better to create a variant called "chameleon." I honestly don't even know where to begin, much less looking at the "eval script." What files do I open, where are they, and what do I look for? ...and I'm on OS X if that changes any of your answers.

It's totally fine to point me to an existing thread elsewhere that answers my questions. I'm not afraid of parsing through some new mark-up language. There's just an overwhelming amount of forums to go through, and I wasn't having luck finding it on my own.

 

[RPGuy]

It's not for all lizards. It's just for one character who has a chameleon familiar, so creating a variant is probably the better course of action.

I've done absolutely nothing other than look at forums and feel a wee bit overwhelmed. I'm not sure what the "eval script" or where to find it in order to alter it. I also don't want to make change that are going to get overwritten whenever I update my Pathfinder data via the app or desktop software.

It's fine to point me to an existing discussion topic on this (or the basics of making updates) if it exists. I just wasn't having luck finding it for myself and got a little overwhelmed.

In case it changes your answer, note that I use the iPad app as well as the Desktop software on OS X with all my portfolios on Dropbox.

 

[ShadowChemosh]

I think it would be better to create a variant called "chameleon." I honestly don't even know where to begin, much less looking at the "eval script." What files do I open, where are they, and what do I look for? ...and I'm on OS X if that changes any of your answers.

It's totally fine to point me to an existing thread elsewhere that answers my questions. I'm not afraid of parsing through some new mark-up language. There's just an overwhelming amount of forums to go through, and I wasn't having luck finding it on my own.

I would recommend reading the Glossary of Terms for the Editor. Then check out FAQ#2 for all the places to learn about the editor including YouTube videos. Welcome to the wonderful world of using the HL editor which will be the most frustrating and rewarding thing you can do with Hero Lab.

 

[ShadowChemosh]

Just a thought about a very easy way to do this. Is to simply put in a pair of adjustments on the familiars master that removes the Bonus and put in a 2nd adjustment to give the bonus to the skill you want.

Take a look at the "Adjust" tab under "Other Adjustments" for LOTS of pre-built tools to make changes to characters.

if you load the "Pathfinder Pack" I have added dozens of of additional adjustments to help quickly modify characters. This is NOT required to just change some bonuses to skills...

 

[RPGuy]

ShadowChemosh, I'd kiss you if you were in the room. The Other Adjustments tab actually solves my problem as well as others I've had. THANK YOU for helping a n00b learn some slightly more advanced features of Hero Lab.