Disarm modifiers question

[Skarppsey]

Well, I've seen some discussion of this issue in the past, but I'm hoping that someone more familiar with the 3.5 rules than I am can help. Specifically, my player just sent me the following breakdown of his modifiers to Disarm attempts when wielding a spiked chain:

[5 = base attack]
[3 = STR bonus]
[1 = Weapon Focus]
[1 = Masterwork weapon]
[2 = Spiked Chain disarm bonus]
[4 = 2H weapon Disarm bonus]
[4 = Improved Disarm Feat bonus]

Total = +20

Since a Disarm attempt is simply an opposed attack roll (so far as I recall), it seems that the bonuses should stack as he decribes. But am I missing something? Haven't got the rulebook in front on me, but it seems like this is an awfully high bonus for a 6th level character.

Any input or corrections would be appreciated. Thanks ahead of time.

 

[Magic Slim]

LOOK OVER THERE!

*erases the traces of his hopefully momentary stupidity*

I don't know why I always read that sentence (even in 3.0) the way I did.

Not enough / too much drugs maybe?

Slim

 

[billd91]

[5 = base attack]
[3 = STR bonus]
[1 = Weapon Focus]
[1 = Masterwork weapon]
[2 = Spiked Chain disarm bonus]
[4 = 2H weapon Disarm bonus]
[4 = Improved Disarm Feat bonus]

Total = +20

Since a Disarm attempt is simply an opposed attack roll (so far as I recall), it seems that the bonuses should stack as he decribes. But am I missing something? Haven't got the rulebook in front on me, but it seems like this is an awfully high bonus for a 6th level character.

Yes, that's a high bonus. But I don't think it's incorrect. The character has significantly specialized in a particular kind of attack, sinking in apparently 4 feats (exotic weapon, improved disarm, combat expertise, weapon focus), and at least 325 gp of money. That's a lot of effort and, if he's clever, he'll be well rewarded. He's got a very good tricky move. It'll work very nicely against weapon-wielding opponets but won't be of much use against creatures using natural weapon. So, he had better still have some buddies around to back him up.

Also remember that larger creatures get a bonus to their opposed rolls to the tune of +4 per size category larger. So, against the big boys, his high bonus will be relatively smaller. Same with opponents with 2-handed weapons.

 

[youspoonybard]

Only applies to OPPOSED disarm checks, ie when someone else tries to disarm HIM.

LOL...that would be a new interpretation of the Improved Grab and Constrict debate....

But no, both the check he makes (he is opposed by his opponent) and the check the opponent makes (opposed by himself) are opposed, and the +20 looks correct.

 

[Camarath]

Only applies to OPPOSED disarm checks, ie when someone else tries to disarm HIM.

I don't think that this sentence can be read to mean what you are suggesting.

When using a spiked chain, you get a +2 bonus on opposed attack rolls made to disarm an opponent (including the roll to avoid being disarmed if such an attempt fails).

 

[DM2]

LOL...that would be a new interpretation of the Improved Grab and Constrict debate....

But no, both the check he makes (he is opposed by his opponent) and the check the opponent makes (opposed by himself) are opposed, and the +20 looks correct.

youspoony...could you please avoid reminding me of the constrict/improved grab debate...it hurts my head a little.

 

[youspoonybard]

Sorry : P.

 

[Hypersmurf]

[So, against the big boys, his high bonus will be relatively smaller. Same with opponents with 2-handed weapons.

But not, in 3.5, opponents holding their one-handed weapons in two hands.

A bastard sword gets no Disarm bonus, attacking or defending, regardless of how many hands you use.

A greatsword gets a +4 Disarm bonus, attacking or defending.

(I'll refrain from bringing up the lance, since that might sidetrack the topic a little...)

-Hyp.

 

[youspoonybard]

Yeah, I noticed that too Hyp the other session when I brought out my technique NPC...

 

[dcollins]

Haven't got the rulebook in front on me, but it seems like this is an awfully high bonus for a 6th level character.

Yowch, I think I agree. I'll just point out that in 3.0 the Improved Disarm feat didn't lend a bonus (other than no AOO), and the 2H weapon bonus was only applicable to the defender. Hence under 3.0 the bonus would have been +12 which is a bit more reasonable.