val Holryn wrote:
If you are Expert or Arcane (and don't get melee skills at that step) then getting a skill rank at the archetype step through your bloodline can open up options. For example pugilist. Also makes it a lot easier to finish creation at 4 ranks in melee (unarmed). Also allows you to use your "any one skill" from race to also be used for melee (unarmed).
I'm not sure there is much of an advantage there.
1. It only helps gain pugilist if you have no ranks in Melee (Unarmed) by the talent selection step of character creation; if you plan on using unarmed attacks you would at least put one rank in it at the skills step. HoOM as written actually stops you putting 2 ranks in it (if you accept the second sentence of HoOM), as archetype is the first mechanical choice you make.
2. The fact HoOM gives a rank makes it easier to get 4 ranks, gaining it in the archetype stage does nothing. A rank must be gained from Race, Background, and Skills steps to gain 4 ranks with the arcane or expert archetypes. There is no other way.
3. As far as I can tell, the "Choose any skill" racial option of the Val is not limited to skills you already know.
Also, the option of gaining 2 ranks at the skills step is removed if it counts as being gained in the archetype step, thus removing a method of starting with 3 ranks in Melee (Unarmed) if you choose to use the second sentence of HoOM, which as it says "may" is entirely optional, but apparently not useful.