Monks ki pool and temporary ability score increase

Question

At 4th level a monk gains access to a ki pool and its size is usually reflected by 1/2 level and wisdom modifier

At 4th level, a monk gains a pool of ki points, supernatural energy he can use to accomplish amazing feats. The number of points in a monk's ki pool is equal to 1/2 his monk level + his Wisdom modifier.

When a spell like owls wisdom is cast on you, how exactly does this reflect on your ki pool?

The transmuted creature becomes wiser. The spell grants a +4 enhancement bonus to Wisdom, adding the usual benefit to Wisdom-related skills. Clerics, druids, and rangers (and other Wisdom-based spellcasters) who receive owl's wisdom do not gain any additional bonus spells for the increased Wisdom, but the save DCs for their spells increase.

How I have played is that I track my uses of ki points. If I normally have 8 ki points and use them all, then have owls wisdom cast on me, I consider my pool to currently be 2 larger while the spell is active. If I use any of those points however, they still count towards the ones I have used, so after the spell runs out and is recast, I have still used those points.

Is this way correct or wrong?

Answer 1

Ability bonuses can be defined by two categories, temporary and permanent bonuses. The difference between them is basically based on the duration of what caused this increase.

For the purpose of this answer, i will quote only the temporary bonus rules to wisdom, as those are relevant to ki pool class feature.

Temporary Ability Bonus

Wisdom: Temporary increases to your Wisdom score give you a bonus on Wisdom-based skill checks and Will saving throws. This bonus also applies to any spell DCs based on Wisdom.

Permanent Ability Bonus

Ability bonuses with a duration greater than 1 day actually increase the relevant ability score after 24 hours. Modify all skills and statistics related to that ability. This might cause you to gain skill points, hit points, and other bonuses. These bonuses should be noted separately in case they are removed.

So, after 24 hours, a Headband of Inspired Wisdom +2 would increase your ki pool, AC bonus, will saving throw, skill checks related to wisdom, and anything else you got that is based on wisdom, by one.

But Owl's Wisdom, lasting only 1 minute per caster level, does not last long enough to grant a permanent bonus.