Half-Elf Attribute Check Modification

[redwullf]

Pg. 38 of the Player's Handbook reads,

Attribute Check Modification: The human lineage is reflected in a greater versatility than their elven kin, but not quite as their human relatives. Half-elven characters are allowed to choose one secondary attribute for which they gain a +2 bonus to all attribute checks.

Is this bonus cumulative with any other ability modifiers the PC may have for that ability (say, if it's a higher score)? Also, does this bonus apply to Saving Throws? I've made the assumption that this is the case since, say, a PC with a +3 in Int that decides to add this ability to the score shouldn't get just a +2 instead. I read this as saying they should get a +5 total. Additionally, since Saving Throws in C&C are just attribute checks anyway, I'm assuming the bonus applies to the final roll against the CC. Thoughts?

[Arduin]

Is this bonus cumulative with any other ability modifiers the PC may have for that ability (say, if it's a higher score)? Also, does this bonus apply to Saving Throws? I've made the assumption that this is the case since, say, a PC with a +3 in Int that decides to add this ability to the score shouldn't get just a +2 instead. I read this as saying they should get a +5 total. Additionally, since Saving Throws in C&C are just attribute checks anyway, I'm assuming the bonus applies to the final roll against the CC. Thoughts?

ANY check made against said attribute gets a +2 tacked on. Saving throws are attribute checks.

[koralas]

Redwulf, you are correct, the +2 is a bonus over and above the bonus you get for a high attribute score. So the total bonus is +5, while the target number is still 18. Alternatively you can think of it as making the challenge base 16, thus you have Prime: 12, 1/2elf favored attribute: 16, non-Prime: 18.

[Omote]

Add another +2.

In repsones specifically to the saving throw question, saving throws are attribute checks. So, they get the +2 tacked on to any other applicable bonuses.

~O

[Lord Crimson]

I always took the half-elf "+2 to attribute" ability as basically a sort of demi-Prime. You don't get nearly as awesome a bonus as a real Prime, but it's still a useful bonus for a back up ability score.