Magic Item Attacks: +Level bonus?

[SabreCat]

Hey all,

Quick point of confusion. If an item gives you an attack, such as the Sunblade's Strength+enhancement burst vs. Reflex, or an alchemical item's straight +X vs. defense X, do you add the character's level bonus to the attack roll as well?

I already figured you don't get any proficiency bonuses unless specified (they don't have the Weapon keyword), but I wondered whether 1/2 level is always assumed with these as it is with normal powers, or if they're supposed to keep their own scaling. Certainly, some of the alchemical items' plusses seem pretty dang huge even without adding 1/2 level in...

 

[WalterKovacs]

In general:

If it uses an ability score, the 1/2 level is implied. If it's a specific number, it does not add 1/2 level (having it's usefulness drop as you level).

 

[CapnZapp]

To add a rules reference for the first question, attack bonuses are discussed on page 274. And you base attack bonus does indeed include the half level thing.

When it comes to things like alchemical items it's important to realize that your own stats in no way influence their use. This is deliberate, to ensure that the pricing remains balanced.

That is, an low-level item that has an appropriately low cost will make attacks using a static - and low - value. This way, when you level up, this item will become less and less interesting, forcing you to buy a higher-level version of the same item, doing essentially the same thing, except with a higher (still static) attack bonus.

So you do not add anything to the listed value. Note the absence of any mention of any abilities.

 

[Stogoe]

Only the listed number. Otherwise there's no point in having higher level alchemical fire.