Bane - Bows and Arrows

[Artoomis]

I got a little confused, so I am going to put forth a scenario with what I think happens, depending upon your assumptions.

Keeping in mind

The enhancement bonus from a ranged weapon does not stack with the enhancement bonus from ammunition. Only the higher of the two enhancement bonuses applies.

and

Against its designated foe, its effective enhancement bonus is +2 better than its normal enhancement bonus. It deals an extra 2d6 points of damage against the foe. Bows, crossbows, and slings so crafted bestow the bane quality upon their ammunition.

Base Assumption: Target is the "designated foe."


Assumption 1: BANE adjustments immediately.

+3 Bane Bow, +2 Arrow. Result? Bow is effectively +5 vs. the "designated foe" so that's what you get.

+3 Bow, +2 Bane Arrow Result? Arrow is effectively +4 when launched; bow is lower at +3, so you get +4.

Assumption two: Bane adjustments happen AFTER you fire the arrow is already in the air:

+3 Bane Bow, +2 Arrow. Result? Arrow is effectively +3 when launched, and then Bane applies, which means +5 when hitting.

+3 Bow, +2 Bane Arrow. Result? Arrow is effectively +3 when launched, and then Bane applies, which means +5 when hitting.


Assumption one is built upon the "fact' that the arrow or bow somehow knows the opponent is the "designated foe" right from the very start.

Assumption two is built upon the arrow knowing the opponent as is strikes (it penetrates better perhaps)

I like Assumption two better; it makes more sense and keeps the rules nice and consistent.

How's that sound? About right for both assumptions?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Assumption two: Bane adjustments happen AFTER you fire the arrow is already in the air:

+3 Bane Bow, +2 Arrow. Result? Arrow is effectively +3 when launched, and then Bane applies, which means +5 when hitting.

+3 Bow, +2 Bane Arrow. Result? Arrow is effectively +3 when launched, and then Bane applies, which means +5 when hitting.

How's that sound? About right for both assumptions?

I don't agree that the arrow is 'effectively +3'.

The arrow is +2; the attack is made with an enhancement bonus of +3 from the bow, ignoring the arrow's enhancement bonus as it is the lesser of the two and does not apply.

The enhancement bonus of the bow doesn't alter the arrow's enhancement bonus, but it may change the value of the enhancement bonus you apply to your attack and damage rolls.

-Hyp.

 

[Artoomis]

I don't agree that the arrow is 'effectively +3'.

The arrow is +2; the attack is made with an enhancement bonus of +3 from the bow, ignoring the arrow's enhancement bonus as it is the lesser of the two and does not apply.

The enhancement bonus of the bow doesn't alter the arrow's enhancement bonus, but it may change the value of the enhancement bonus you apply to your attack and damage rolls.

-Hyp.

Oh, I see what you mean. I don't think the rules were meant to work that way, though. I think when "the higher of the two enhancement bonuses applies" that this effectively makes the arrow has an ehancement bonus of the higher of the two.

 

[ValhallaGH]

I don't agree that the arrow is 'effectively +3'.

And there is the central issue. Individual interpretation of the interaction of the rules.

Because the point is not explicit, it is open to interpretation. You have your interpretation and other have theirs. Which is fine.

Claiming that your interpretation is the only correct interpretation is not fine.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Because the point is not explicit, it is open to interpretation.

I'm not sure I understand. Because it says "only the better of the two enhancement bonuses applies", but doesn't say what it applies to, it's open to interpretation?

But we know that the enhancement bonus of weapons applies to attack and damage rolls.

So the answer to "What does the better of the two enhancement bonuses apply to?" is already defined - attack and damage rolls. Not to the wielder's Strength score, or to the target's natural armor bonus, or to the arrow.

The bow has an enhancement bonus. The arrow has an enhancement bonus, which the arrow's Bane quality can improve. And the better of the two enhancement bonuses applies.

-Hyp.