quick magic missile damage question

[dragonwarriorfan]

I'm running an essentials mage and have a +2 magic staff. Can I add the damage to a power like magic missile, so the damage becomes 2 + intelligence (+5) + 2 from the staff, +1 from implement expertise = 10 damage. I'm level 7, btw. If so, I guess this answer would relate to any similar power such as burning hands (+2 staff, +1 feat, +5 intelligence = +8 damage) in addition to the 2d6? Thanks! dwf

 

[aurance]

All correct, except you don't add the feat bonus to the magic missile damage. Implement Focus adds to damage rolls; Magic Missile has no damage roll. This is why the "if the implement has an enhancement bonus, add that to Magic Missile" has to be spelled out as an exception. Burning Hands does have a damage roll, so Implement Focus would work there.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Right. This is the (intended) drawback of auto-hit powers like this, they get very few damage boosts.

 

[dragonwarriorfan]

Cool, so what about Intelligence vs Will powers, like hypnotism? How would I use one of those - completely different?

 

[aurance]

I'm not exactly sure what you're asking about Hypnotism. There's no damage roll with it, so you don't add any damage modifiers. You always add the enhancement bonus of your implement to hit, though, to every power that has the "implement" keyword.

The next power down is another Int vs. Wil power - Phantasmal Assault - for which you would add the damage mods, since it has a damage roll.

 

[the Jester]

Cool, so what about Intelligence vs Will powers, like hypnotism? How would I use one of those - completely different?

If you're asking how damage bonuses apply, a power has to deal damage for it to get a bonus to damage at all.

If you are wondering how to use powers like that, the answer is- tactically.

Sometimes your enemies can do more damage than your own powers can, and sometimes you can slide them off a cliff.

 

[dragonwarriorfan]

right, which is what I intend. Sorry I wasn't clear, I mean, how do you actually use it? Roll a d20, add my intell modifier (+5), +1 staff expertise, and +2 magic staff? So d20 + 8 versus the target's will? Sorry, only played strikers in 4th so far!

 

[aurance]

right, which is what I intend. Sorry I wasn't clear, I mean, how do you actually use it? Roll a d20, add my intell modifier (+5), +1 staff expertise, and +2 magic staff? So d20 + 8 versus the target's will? Sorry, only played strikers in 4th so far!

Yes, plus 1/2 your level. So, d20 + 11 vs. target's Will, in your case.

 

[dragonwarriorfan]

cool, thanks!

 

[DracoSuave]

One thing to note:

_____ Expertise feats generally give bonuses to attack, but not to damage (with a handful of exceptions.) So in the case of your expertise feat, it would not apply to your damage, as you'd inquired above.