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Message: <blockquote data-quote="KarinsDad" data-source="post: 1154291" data-attributes="member: 2011">Yes, that statement was misleading on my part (I was more focusing on special abilities between the classes).In reality, I consider the +1 BAB per level to be a huge thing.10th level Fighter10th level WizardWizard maxxed out Int to 18 at first level which costs 16 point buy points, so he probably has a 10 Str.Fighter maxxed out Str to 18 at first level which costs 16 point buy points, so he probably (without items) has a 20 Str at 10th level (possibly not, but assuming both classes maxxed out).Fighter is +15 to hit without magic, +16 to hit with Weapon Focus.Wizard is +5 to hit.AC 25 opponent. Wizard hits on a 20. Fighter hits on a 9. 5% of the time versus 60% of the time.When you do the normal comparison, people write down:"Fighters are +1 BAB every OTHER level compared to the Wizard."Although literally true, this statement is totally misleading.It does not point out that for any AC 18 to 25, the 10th level Fighter hits 55% more often, even without a magical weapon (typically more with one).And, it gets more lopsided as you go into higher levels.The point I am trying to make is, sure, a Wizard gets +1 BAB every two levels. But, the minor combat ability he had at low level is eventually lost completely. As the Wizard is gaining higher and higher level spells, his BAB becomes less and less of a factor in the game. At 1st level, a Wizard might use a weapon (probably a missile weapon) 50% of the time in battle. At 20th level, a Wizard with +10 to hit while the Fighter is +27 (still without any magic) to hit is a total joke, and hence the Wizard would use a weapon less than 1% of the time. In situations where the 20th level Fighter would be single swing hitting 95% of the time (for a lot more damage), the 20th level Wizard would be hitting 10% of the time (and usually 5%) and it is not worth his time to even consider it in the vast majority of circumstances.Basically, his ability with a weapon is for all intents and purposes, worthless at higher levels.Around mid level, having a BAB at all for a Wizard isn't worth much of anything. And yes, there is the occasional Wizard who makes his DEX and INT high so that he can use a missile weapon without casting a spell. His to hit is not a joke as quickly as his non-high DEX fellow Wizard, but it's still not much of an ability once he gets to mid-levels.So, BAB for fighters is worth a lot lot more than BAB for wizards. Feats are worth a lot more. Hit points are worth a lot more. And, superior AC is worth a lot more. The simple comparisons like "fighters are +1 BAB more every other level" are totally misleading and do not really show the scope of how potent the variance really is.</blockquote>

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