Dex bonus to hit AND damage?

[Ghost2020]

I noticed that in the Starship Troopers RPG that there's a dex bonus to damage as well for shooting. Explained away that the higher the dex the better chance to cause more damaging shots, plus the setting apparently needs it..

Personally, I don't mind this idea for d20 Mod/future games. Anyone else use/play it this way and how does it ultimately work out?

 

[ogre]

I've never played it that way. My biggest hesitation with it would be, Dex is already one of the strongest stats. This would make it even better. Akin to a D&D fighters STR, as that adds both to hit and damage. However, Dex also has initiative, Reflex saves, more useful skills above what STR provides. I guess it would work ok, but it would unbalance whatever balance there already is for the ability scores.
So, how would it work? More frequent criticals or just the "like STR" + to damage for ranged weapons?

 

[C.W.Richeson]

My thoughts are the same as ogre's. Dex is already a powerful stat for most modern games and really doesn't need the boost.

 

[variant]

A feat that allows the Dexterity modifier to be added to damage would be more balanced.

 

[Stalker0]

Not only do I think dex bonuses to damage are unbalanced, they also make no sense!!

Aiming for more damaging shots is what the attack roll is about, you are always trying to hit vulnerable places. With more strength I can swing a sword faster and indeed...do more damage. But that bullet isn't accelerating any quicker because I have a better dex.

 

[molonel]

I'm running two d20 Modern games right now with two groups of people accustomed to using D&D. The shift in priorities has been interesting to observe. I used point buy, and required everyone to have one dump stat. A lot of people chose Strength. Nobody - not a single person - chose Dexterity.

Dexterity is already powerful enough without this boost.