Clarification Question on Basic Attacks

[Japhane]

I have read posts around other sites about basic attacks. Are these just straight up attacks, or is sneak attack included in this?

I would think a basic attack would be the most basic possible, with no special strikes included. Can anyone out there clarify who may already have their books?

 

[RigaMortus2]

I have read posts around other sites about basic attacks. Are these just straight up attacks, or is sneak attack included in this?

I would think a basic attack would be the most basic possible, with no special strikes included. Can anyone out there clarify who may already have their books?

On one of the pages, they have Melee Basic Attack and Ranged Basic Attack written up like powers. But all they do is let you attack Str/Dex vs AC and deal damage equal to 1[W]+Str/Dex.

Sneak Attack is extra damage a Rogue can do whenever they make any attack against a target who is granting combat advantage, but only once per round. So if you are somehow able to make multiple attacks in a round, only one of them you could apply Sneak Attack damage to.

 

[Deverash]

I have read posts around other sites about basic attacks. Are these just straight up attacks, or is sneak attack included in this?

I would think a basic attack would be the most basic possible, with no special strikes included. Can anyone out there clarify who may already have their books?

A basic attack, is, essentially, a special power that lets you make one attack with no real special. As such, you can't combine it with other powers that need a standard action, but you can combine it freely with feats and class features. Make Sense?

Here's the powers for them from the player's handbook:

Melee Basic Attack

At-Will ✦ Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage.
Increase damage to 2[W] + Strength modifier at 21st level.
Special: You can use an unarmed attack as a weapon to make a melee basic attack.

Ranged Basic Attack

At-Will ✦ Weapon
Standard Action Ranged weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Dexterity vs. AC
Hit: 1[W] + Dexterity modifier damage.
Increase damage to 2[W] + Dexterity modifier at 21st level.
Special: Weapons with the heavy thrown property (see
page 216) use Strength instead of Dexterity for attack
rolls and damage rolls.
Special: Warlocks can use eldritch blast as a ranged basic attack, and wizards can use magic missile as a ranged basic attack.

 

[Staffan]

"Basic attack" just means that it's an attack that doesn't use a power. If you're a rogue, you get to add your sneak attack once per round (assuming the situation allows it), even if you make a basic attack.

However, in most cases you will want to use a power for your "real" attack. Basic attacks are most often used for charges, opportunity attacks, and attacks initiated by other people using their powers.

 

[tuxgeo]

On one of the pages, they have Melee Basic Attack and Ranged Basic Attack written up like powers. But all they do is let you attack Str/Dex vs AC and deal damage equal to 1[W]+Str/Dex.

. . .

What does it take to use DEX instead of STR on Melee Basic Attacks? I understand that Rogues can do that -- is this a Rogue class feature, or does it have to do with the weapons they are using?

 

[Cheesepie]

No, rogues still use STR for melee basic attacks. Only their powers use DEX.

 

[Family]

No, rogues still use STR for melee basic attacks. Only their powers use DEX.

I wonder if was the intended design or if it should be brought to the attention of the errata team.

 

[Traken]

I wonder if was the intended design or if it should be brought to the attention of the errata team.

It's intended I'm sure. But look for the 4E equivalent of Weapon Finesse in the new Martial book.

 

[DevoutlyApathetic]

It's intended I'm sure. But look for the 4E equivalent of Weapon Finesse in the new Martial book.

It really might not. By limiting the power of rogue OA's they help maintain the defender's role of controlling.

 

[Family]

The Str build rogues don't fear this though, just the Dex based ones.