[3.5] Archers nerfed! Meleers/Spellcasters rejoice!

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Originally reported in another thread, this info from Dungeon 100 was just confirmed on Andy Colllins' boards:

The magic enhancements bonuses of magic ranged weapons and their ammunition no longer stacks. Instead, they overlap -- the highest bonus of the two applies.

So if you have a +1 bow and +2 arrows, you have +2 to hit and damage.

That should go a long way toward balancing damage output for archers vs. melee fighters, especially with the reduced power of Greater Magic Weapon (+1/four levels instead of +1/3).

You are correct--enhancement bonuses from projectile weapons and the projectiles they shoot overlap, but don't stack.

Andy Collins
Senior Designer
Wizards of the Coast Roleplaying R&D

 

[EricNoah]

This change just makes too much sense!

 

[diaglo]

did you ask andy about the reflex save for rangers?

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

RE: rangers -- no I didn't. I can; I'm pretty sure it's correct (good Fort & Ref saves) as it's in more than one place).

 

[Left-handed Hummingbird]

Hooray!

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

This change just makes too much sense!

Although there goes another holy hamburger!

*sniff* No more illusionist gnomes, no more bow & arrow stacking *sniff*

 

[Nail]

Rats!

What about my poor munchkin cleric archer? He's ruined!

 

[Grayhawk]

Does this mean that there's no reason to use masterwork arrows with a masterwork bow?

 

[Marshall]

This change just makes too much sense!

Nope! It just means you'll NEVER and I mean NEVER see magic arrows anymore. Makes no sense, and guts the non-munched out archers.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Nope! It just means you'll NEVER and I mean NEVER see magic arrows anymore. Makes no sense, and guts the non-munched out archers.

Not if they don't change the rule about the arrow's enhancement penetrating DR! You'll still need your magic arrows (but you could do without the magic bow) -- and it makes the Arcane Archer that much more valuable!