Explain to me why are these feats good?

[MrMyth]

Dex-based character with Two Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus (scimitar) and Scimitar Dance and Dex 21 will, on a missed attack with his scimitar main weapon, deal 5+2+1 = 8 points of damage. I don't know if a magic weapon's enhancement bonus would factor in, but if it does the damage at those levels (minimum 11) would be 11.

It was mentioned earlier in this thread that this doesn't work, though not completely explained why, but here is the reason:

Most bonuses to damage (such as Weapon Focus, Two-Weapon Fighting, and Enhancement Bonuses) are specifically bonuses to damage rolls. (See the text for each feat, magic weapons, etc - they all use the term "damage rolls".) As such, they don't add to static damage amounts, like that dealt by Scimitar Dance.

The PHB, on page 276, also uses similar terms - various bonuses might apply to Damage Rolls, but there is no indication they apply to static damage from other effects. I believe there is even a specific clause to this effect somewhere in the Combat section, though I don't seem to be able to locate it at the moment.

Edit: Aha - just found it on page 57 of the PHB: "Some powers add modifiers to attack rolls or damage rolls. These modifiers apply to any roll of the dice, but not to ongoing damage or other static, nonvariable effects."

 

[James McMurray]

A Ranger / Pit Fighter can do some pretty respectable damage on every miss. He's still better off hitting, but it's not a bad consolation prize.

 

[IanArgent]

Give the enemy a reason to move and the OA feats look much better. The swordmage is good for this - mark and run. Then the enemy has to make a choice between taking the penalty of the mark or suck up the OA. Or put the enemy in a position to either take an OA or continue to stand next to the flaming sphere (that's a little trickier, I'll admit). There's a few feats that a solo character just isn't interested in, but a member of a team is...

 

[Prism]

A Ranger / Pit Fighter can do some pretty respectable damage on every miss. He's still better off hitting, but it's not a bad consolation prize.

The pit fighter abilities don't do damage on a miss either though

 

[MrMyth]

The pit fighter abilities don't do damage on a miss either though

That's an area where the rules are less clear, since Pit Fighter is one of those (very, very few) areas where they simply said "damage" instead of "damage rolls" - but again, going by the general rule that static damage doesn't gain bonuses from other sources, I'd certainly say the intent is clear that Pit Fighter wouldn't add damage to Scimitar Dance or Hammer Rhythm.

 

[Bond James Bond]

Scimitar Dance is great because of math.

Case closed!

Honestly, there is no feat besides Hammer Rhythm that boosts your overall damage as much as Scimitar Dance (if you consistantly boost your dex, that is). So what`s not to like?

 

[Charwoman Gene]

some people roll 20's or more often then they should.

They are called cheaters. make them use a cup.

 

[garyh]

They are called cheaters. make them use a cup.

Is this so when you give them a good swift kick, it doesn't hurt TOO much?









Oh, wrong kind of cup...

 

[Danceofmasks]

Nah, it's more satisfying to be able to kick harder while the target remains conscious.

What?