negative strength modifier question

[thorian]

I have a 1 Strength, and therefore a -5 modifier. When I use a small quarterstaff I do 1d4-5 for damage. Of course the minimum is 1, so I always do 1 HP damage. When I cast a Divine Favor on myself, I get a +2 luck bonus to damage, so how much damage do I do?

(1) 1d4-5+2 = 1d4-3 (always 1 point)
(2) 1d4-5 = 1, then add +2 from divine favor

 

[Jeff Wilder]

The former. That's why it's important to note such modifiers, even when they seem not to matter.


Jeff

 

[Lord Pendragon]

(1) is the correct option, I believe.

Off the top of my head, I can't think of any situation in which you apply modifiers separately, such as you've set up in (2).

 

[Silveras]

(1) is the correct option, I believe.

Off the top of my head, I can't think of any situation in which you apply modifiers separately, such as you've set up in (2).

Actually, I believe the bonus skill points for race work as described in (2).

That is, you get [Class Base] + [Int modifier], minimum of 1, then +1 if your race gets the bonus.

 

[Hypersmurf]

There's also debate about critical hits.

If the halfling in question (without Divine Favor) crits, with a x2 on his normal 1d4-5, is it 1d4-5 (min 1) + 1d4-5 (min 1), or is it 2d4-10 (min 1)?

Near as I can tell, the RAW imply the latter (1 damage)... but I use the former (2 damage).

-Hyp.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

Near as I can tell, the RAW imply the latter (1 damage)... but I use the former (2 damage).

2 points makes more sense, in light of the many places in the rules and rulings where the designers equate a x2 critical as the equivalent of two discrete hits.


Jeff

 

[Hypersmurf]

2 points makes more sense, in light of the many places in the rules and rulings where the designers equate a x2 critical as the equivalent of two discrete hits.

Yeah, but it can't be a blanket rule, else you'd subtract DR twice from a crit, as though it were the equivalent of two discrete hits, as well...

-Hyp.

 

[irdeggman]

Let's see what is the maximum carrying capacity of a character with a 1 Str. Table 9-1 (PHB)

10 lbs.
3/4 of this if a small creature (i.e., 7.5 lbs).

Makes things real hard to do by my calculations.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

Yeah, but it can't be a blanket rule, else you'd subtract DR twice from a crit, as though it were the equivalent of two discrete hits, as well...

I wonder if it is possible to extrapolate a general rule.

Say, two components of figured damage: (1) calculate the damage from the weapon strike itself (which is always figured as if there were two (or three, or four) separate hits), then (2) apply non-multiplied modifiers. (Examples of (2) include DR, sneak attack dice, and energy-weapon dice.)

Or is this more or less begging the question of "what's a non-multiplied multiple"? Is it at all useful in figuring out any other corner cases?


Jeff

 

[Hypersmurf]

Or is this more or less begging the question of "what's a non-multiplied multiple"?

I'd say so. Because 'to a minimum of one' should be applied after sneak attack

If I deal 1d4-5, +1d6 sneak attack, and I roll a 1 and a 5, that should be 1 point of damage. But by the general rue you just proposed, it'd be 6 (1d4 - 5, minimum of 1, then apply sneak attack).

-Hyp.