damage of a rat

[SRD]

Please help me, I see in the MM, at Rat:

Attack: Bite +4 melee (1d3–4)

What does it mean?
1) Exactly what "damage range" can it have? Because (1d3–4) translates into "from -3 to -1". Negative damage???
2) What can I apply "+4" to ?

Thanks.

 

[Wednesday Boy]

As per the SRD: "Damage from an attack is always at least 1 point, even if a subtraction from a die roll reduces the result to 0 or lower." So a rat only does 1 hp damage unless it's enhanced somehow.

The +4 applies to the attack roll. Roll 1d20+4 to hit.

 

[Wednesday Boy]

As per the SRD: "Damage from an attack is always at least 1 point, even if a subtraction from a die roll reduces the result to 0 or lower." So a rat only does 1 hp damage unless it's enhanced somehow.

But since that's your quote, you probably already knew that.

 

[SRD]

So then why they don't write clearly: a Rat does 1 point of damage ???

 

[Elephant]

Because a rat with Bull's Strength and Prayer active would do 1d3-1 damage (1-2).
A rat with Bull's Strength, prayer, and bardsong active would do 1-3 damage.

etc. etc.

 

[nathreet]

Ya... I fight those rats all the time. They're such a pain . Friggin' evil rat cleric bards. Fortunately I can heal up between battles by letting normal rats bite me a lot.

 

[Notmousse]

There's also crits, where the rat might get a whopping 2 damage! Or if you're like me and want to add some fear to your average encounter add a druish were-rat capable of boosting it's horde... hehehe.