Incorpreal touch attack

[Zen]

I'm thinking of using the Ghostly Arm graft from Libre Mortis (pg 80), and I'm not certain what difference there is (if any) between an incorpreal touch attack and a regular touch attack? I know that both ignore armor, natural armor, etc., except the incorpreal touch attack is blocked by mage armor (or other force armor) where the standard touch attack isn't.

I know the Ghostly Arm does 1d6 per strike, which is nice, especilly when added to any other touch spell effects the cleric may be delivering on the same attack, but I want to be certain I'm not missing any advantages/disadvantages.

--Z

 

[AuraSeer]

A touch attack ignores all bonuses from armor, natural armor, and shields.

An incorporeal attack ignores almost all the same stuff, but is slightly weaker. It cannot ignore ghost touch armor, or protections with the force descriptor (like bracers of armor).

The only other difference is in flavor. A touch attack is literally just touching you; the effect is probably a ray or some other magic power, and barely grazing the edge of your shield is enough to subject you to its power. An incorporeal touch (like a ghost's attack) must actually contact you to do damage, but because the baddie is incorporeal he can stick his arm straight through your shield and armor.

 

[UltimaGabe]

Also, one more weakness of an Incorporeal Touch as opposed to a Touch attack is that an Incorporeal Touch can't be used to transfer a touch spell.

 

[Shin Okada]

From SRD

Alternatively, you may make a normal unarmed attack (or an attack with a natural weapon) while holding a charge. In this case, you aren’t considered armed and you provoke attacks of opportunity as normal for the attack. (If your unarmed attack or natural weapon attack doesn’t provoke attacks of opportunity, neither does this attack.) If the attack hits, you deal normal damage for your unarmed attack or natural weapon and the spell discharges. If the attack misses, you are still holding the charge.

So actually, if incorporeal touch is your natural weapon, you can deliver a touch spell with your incorporeal touch attack. In this case, you inflicts your normal incoporeal damage plus the effect of the spell. So usually, it is quite advanageous.