MM Errata - Error or wierd rule?

[Ssendam]

Hi All,

I just read the MM Errata and am confused by two entries on the last page:

"p198 - The Lizard's bite damage should be 1d4-4"

"p199 - The Owl's damage entry should be: claws 1d4-2"

Two issues:

With the lizard is this saying that it can't actually do any damage? Or that you disregard a 4?

With both, does it mean it is possible for them to hit but not do damage? What is the point of that! might as well say roll a 1d2, (for the Owl), at adjust the To Hit roll.

I am probably being a duffus, but wil someone let me know

Thanks

 

[Christian]

Per the D&D FAQ (and the rules, somewhere ), any successfull attack does at least one point of damage. The 1d4-4 is set at that value (rather than just one point, which is what it will normally do) for purposes of temporary Strength or damage bonuses, advancement, etc. For example, a Greater Magic Fang cast by a high-level druid for +3 enhancement bonuses to attack and damage, will bring the owl's damage to 1d4+1, and the lizard's damage to 1d4-1.

(Don't ask why a high-level druid would be casting GMF on a lizard-you'll just hurt your brain. )

 

[rankarrog]

1st, the lizzard can do damage, all damage dome below 1 is counted as 1.

2nd, if the animals ever become stronger(because of advancement or magic or whatever) the damage dice usually stays the same, but the Strength usually changes (and thus the bonus).

3rd, the abilty scoress presented are for the avarage meber of that species. If your DM is mad enough to do this he might roll the scores individualy and thus produce stronger Monsters of the same type.

 

[Plane Sailing]

And as a final thing,

an Owl does 1, 1, 1 or 2 points damage as described, with an average of 1.25

If you gave it a d2 damage it would do 1 or 2 points with an average of 1.5 and a 50% chance of scoring max damage.

IMHO this would completely unbalance the Owl.

 

[hong]

And as a final thing,

an Owl does 1, 1, 1 or 2 points damage as described, with an average of 1.25

If you gave it a d2 damage it would do 1 or 2 points with an average of 1.5 and a 50% chance of scoring max damage.

IMHO this would completely unbalance the Owl.

What's so unbalancing about it? All it means is that the Maximise Owl metamagic feat is broken.

 

[The Souljourner]

*rofl* You guys kill me!

-The Souljourner