Long Bow and Dexterity Bonus

[Istar]

New to 4e.

Can someone confirm how this works.

The Dex modifier is added to the TH roll.

The arrow does 1-10 damage.

Is the Dex modifier added to the damage also ??

 

[Steve Jung]

Yes, the ability modifier used for the attack roll is used for a damage bonus. See the beginning of the Weapon section.

 

[themilkman]

Things like to-hit bonuses and damage bonuses are dependent on whatever power is being used.

Often, powers that use dexterity mod for the to-hit roll will also have a dexterity mod bonus to damage. However, this is not the case for many powers. See the individual power that you are using to determine which bonuses go where.

 

[Kordeth]

And assuming you're not using an explicit attack power with the longbow (e.g. you're a fighter and just pulled one out to start shooting), you default to a ranged basic attack, which adds Dex bonus both to attack and damage.

I can't think of any powers that could be used with a longbow that use anything other than Dex for hit or damage, though, and I'm almost certain there aren't any powers that use a different ability score for the attack roll and the damage.

 

[Alex319]

You're forgetting a very important one: Twin Strike. It does not have an ability modifier to damage. (But the two attacks more than make up for it.)

 

[Kordeth]

You're forgetting a very important one: Twin Strike. It does not have an ability modifier to damage. (But the two attacks more than make up for it.)

No, I didn't forget Twin Strike, I was thinking about something else entirely--powers that use, for example, Int to hit but Dex for damage. There's a difference between "no ability mod added to damage" and "different ability mod added to damage."

 

[Tenniel]

In general, yes. But more specifically the ability score you add to your "to hit roll" and damage roll is dependant on the power you use to attack. In 4e an attack is an application of a power. This is a new concept in 4e. Your class grants you various attack powers, but any PC can also use a "melee basic attack" or "ranged basic attack" power. The "ranged basic attack" power can be used by any PC with a longbow (provided they are big enough, have 2 hands etc...)

Ranged Basic Attack
At-Will . Weapon
Standard Action Ranged weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Dexterity vs. AC
Hit: 1[W] + Dexterity modifier damage.

Where is says , Dexterity vs. AC this means you attack roll is modified by your Dex Ability Score modifier (and compare your result against your opponent's AC). Incidently, if you are proficient in the longbow you also add +2 (the weapon's proficiency bonus) to your attack roll, because this power has the "weapon" keyword. If you hit you deal damage which as noted is modified by your Dexterity modifier.

However, if you are using a class based power things are different. For example if your PC is a ranger you could use the Careful Attack power:

Careful Attack Ranger Attack 1
At-Will . Martial, Weapon
Standard Action Ranged weapon
Requirement: You must be a ranged weapon.
Target: One creature
Attack: Dexterity + 2 vs. AC
(ranged).
Hit: 1[W] damage

(note: I have simplified this the power from as it was written in the PHB, as the power works as both a ranged and melee attack)

With this power your "to hit roll" is again modifed by your Dex mod (with a bonus +2), however you do not add any ability modifer to the damage roll (damage is simply 1[W], which is 1d10).

I can't think of any powers applicable for longbows that use modifiers other than Dex, but there may be some (either now or in the future).

Hope that helps!

 

[Kordeth]

I can't think of any powers applicable for longbows that use modifiers other than Dex, but there may be some (either now or in the future).

Hope that helps!

Something I just realized a moment ago--technically, fighters have a fair few close burst powers that could be used with a longbow (there's no "must be using a melee weapon" requirement), and in that case you'd actually use Strength. That's an edge case and a pretty clear violation of the intent of the power, though.

 

[Steve Jung]

Something I just realized a moment ago--technically, fighters have a fair few close burst powers that could be used with a longbow (there's no "must be using a melee weapon" requirement), and in that case you'd actually use Strength. That's an edge case and a pretty clear violation of the intent of the power, though.

Sure a fighter could use a longbow. But it's not good, because he can't use Combat Advantage or Combat Superiority on the newly marked targets with a ranged weapon.

 

[Kordeth]

Sure a fighter could use a longbow. But it's not good, because he can't use Combat Advantage or Combat Superiority on the newly marked targets with a ranged weapon.

Didn't say it was good, just that it's technically rules-legal.