Explain this!

[wysiwyg]

Can someone explain the following two rules please:

1. A mighty composite bow gives damage bonuses but no attack adjustments. Why? I mean where do we see that Str bonuses apply only to damage and not the attack rolls? Surely the chances of a successful hit are increased by the fact that the arrow fired has a bit more momentum, allowing it to penetrate armor more easily.

2. Why is it the only fighters can get weapon specialization (other then to make them special)? They're already special in the fact that they get more feats, not to mention that only fighters get a bonus feat at 4th level (the earliest time to get WS), and that every class only get their next feat at 6th level - 2 levels later!

 

[Express]

Can someone explain the following two rules please:

1. A mighty composite bow gives damage bonuses but no attack adjustments. Why? I mean where do we see that Str bonuses apply only to damage and not the attack rolls? Surely the chances of a successful hit are increased by the fact that the arrow fired has a bit more momentum, allowing it to penetrate armor more easily.

2. Why is it the only fighters can get weapon specialization (other then to make them special)? They're already special in the fact that they get more feats, not to mention that only fighters get a bonus feat at 4th level (the earliest time to get WS), and that every class only get their next feat at 6th level - 2 levels later!

Well (playing devils advocate)

1. Id assume the composite bow give str damage to simulat the extra pull you get on the bow. Since str doesnt effect ranged attacks, rules wise it doesnt effect to hit.

2. Correct me if Im wrong but Weapon Specialization is still a general feat/ Anyone can take it if they meet the prereqs. Fighters can choose it as one of their class bonus feats, but I assume thats becasue fighters are meant to be good at combat and weapons.

/shrug

 

[Basin?]

1. For game balance reasons, only one stat should apply to a given attack roll. For realism reasons, the ability of a weapon to punch through armor has more to do with damage than attack anyway from what I understand. D&D combat just has to seem believable, it doesn't have to be physically sound.

2. Fighters get weapon specialization because they are masters of fighting with weapons, moreso than any other class. Just think of it as an optional class feature.

 

[Mouseferatu]

2. Correct me if Im wrong but Weapon Specialization is still a general feat/ Anyone can take it if they meet the prereqs. Fighters can choose it as one of their class bonus feats, but I assume thats becasue fighters are meant to be good at combat and weapons.

Well, yeah, but one of the prereqs is "Fighter level 4+."

 

[Express]

Well, yeah, but one of the prereqs is "Fighter level 4+."

LOL maybe I need to look at the PHB again- then again I rarely play a fighter..

 

[DreamChaser]

Can someone explain the following two rules please:

1. A mighty composite bow gives damage bonuses but no attack adjustments. Why? I mean where do we see that Str bonuses apply only to damage and not the attack rolls? Surely the chances of a successful hit are increased by the fact that the arrow fired has a bit more momentum, allowing it to penetrate armor more easily.

2. Why is it the only fighters can get weapon specialization (other then to make them special)? They're already special in the fact that they get more feats, not to mention that only fighters get a bonus feat at 4th level (the earliest time to get WS), and that every class only get their next feat at 6th level - 2 levels later!

1. Because if both strength and dexterity counted, every munchkin in the world would automatically play an archer (more so than already) and no other character would come close to equalling them.

2. You answered your question in your question. To make them special. Why do only wizards and sorcerers get familiars? They can already cast arcane spells. They get familars to make them special in more than just the one way. Same with weapon specialization.

DC

 

[Whitemage Bishieboy]

Can someone explain the following two rules please:

1. A mighty composite bow gives damage bonuses but no attack adjustments. Why? I mean where do we see that Str bonuses apply only to damage and not the attack rolls? Surely the chances of a successful hit are increased by the fact that the arrow fired has a bit more momentum, allowing it to penetrate armor more easily.

2. Why is it the only fighters can get weapon specialization (other then to make them special)? They're already special in the fact that they get more feats, not to mention that only fighters get a bonus feat at 4th level (the earliest time to get WS), and that every class only get their next feat at 6th level - 2 levels later!

1.game balence
1a.as stated,armor doesnt really make you harder to hit it makes you harder to DAMEGE,the D&D system is just because its simple(oD&D) or because its tradition(3E)

2.because feats are worthless damnit,thats why!fighters need special feats or theyd be worse than they are now.
2a.because only fighters have got specilization before,your lucky to get FOCUS!

nitpick:why did they not include a feat to replicate the third benefit of specilization?is it so hard to include a every 4 BAB feat and include a max of 4 attacks/round limitation to it.

 

[Feyd Rautha]

Can someone explain the following two rules please:

1. A mighty composite bow gives damage bonuses but no attack adjustments. Why? I mean where do we see that Str bonuses apply only to damage and not the attack rolls? Surely the chances of a successful hit are increased by the fact that the arrow fired has a bit more momentum, allowing it to penetrate armor more easily.

2. Why is it the only fighters can get weapon specialization (other then to make them special)? They're already special in the fact that they get more feats, not to mention that only fighters get a bonus feat at 4th level (the earliest time to get WS), and that every class only get their next feat at 6th level - 2 levels later!

1.) I don't see why a higher pull strength bow would give attack bonuses at all. A handgun has a massive force propelled behind it, far greater than any concept of strength we're considering, but even if you hit a heavy piece of armor with it it won't penetrate. It will dent the crap out of it and possibly give a nasty bruise, but you still have to aim to hit properly. Of course, you are welcome to change it in your campaign, but as you'll soon find out, game mechanics will be broken beyond belief. (Thinks of his MERPs archers...)

2.) Fighters are weak little girly men already. Give me any other high level straight class character and I'll give you fighter puree. Weapon Specialization does give them an edge, however. It relates to their constant practice and vigilance with their chosen weapon. No other classes have time for that kind of training. Paladins have their ecclesiastical duties, Rangers and Barbarians must hone their wilderness skills, and so on and so forth...

Look, for every argument you or anyone can make for twinkie-ness, there is a counter argument with just as much (if not more) validity. The game is written the way it is to be a bit conservative AND to be realistic. Balance issues are very important to consider overall. The best advice I can give you is to be a DM for a few sessions and try implementing whatever rules you want. Many of us did it at some time in our early playing years. You'd be surprised how fast one realizes that the game designers weren't total crackpots

Peace...

 

[DarkMaster]

Figther a fully dedicated to their art, they have no other advantages, no multiple good save, no skills, no spells, no special ability, because they are dedicated to fighting. Ranger for example , have to focus their training on various other things and don't have time to push their martial art to perfection.

But trust me pure fighters even with those special feats are often weak characters compared to other warrior type. And nothing prevent you to take 4 level of fighter to access the specialisation.

 

[Particle_Man]

In fact, imc, fighters are allowed to choose an extra weapon focus feat (for +3 attack bonus) and weapon specialization feat (for +6 damage) if they have the other feats for the weapon, and have 16th/20th levels of fighter, respectively.

Anyhow, thrown weapons use Dex to hit and Str to damage, so I don't see the problem with mighty composite bows using the same mechanics.