Str penalties and longbows, a simple question

[darthkilmor]

If I have a str penalty(say -3 for this exercise), what parts of my attack with a normal longbow(not composite) are affected?

A) Just the damage roll.
B) The attack And damage roll.
C) Just the attack roll.
D) None of the above / Other.

Ok then, same question, but with a composite longbow. ?

 

[glass]

If I have a str penalty(say -3 for this exercise), what parts of my attack with a normal longbow(not composite) are affected?

A) Just the damage roll.
B) The attack And damage roll.
C) Just the attack roll.
D) None of the above / Other.

Just the damage roll.

Ok then, same question, but with a composite longbow?

Directly, just the damage roll, although the attack roll will probably also suffer because you will be trying to use a bow made for someone stronger than you.


glass.

 

[Pinotage]

For a normal longbow you'd only take a -3 penalty on the damage roll, but no penalty on the attack roll.

For the composite longbow you'd take a -2 penalty on the attack roll for not being strong enough to wield it. The rules don't say anything about the damage for a composite longbow, but I'd be inclined to say you take the -3 damage penalty on this as well.

Pinotage

 

[Infiniti2000]

For a normal longbow you'd only take a -3 penalty on the damage roll, but no penalty on the attack roll.

To be more precise given the wording of the OP, he'll take a -1 to a -2 penalty on the damage roll. It's a -3 Strength penalty, not a -3 Strength modifier penalty. I'm sure most people realize the difference, but just in case let's be clear about it.

 

[darthkilmor]

To be more precise given the wording of the OP, he'll take a -1 to a -2 penalty on the damage roll. It's a -3 Strength penalty, not a -3 Strength modifier penalty. I'm sure most people realize the difference, but just in case let's be clear about it.

Sorry if I misspoke, my meaning was a Str of 4(I think thats right?) ( and thus, -3 penalty/bonus/proper-syntax-here) but relevant to any str less than 10.

 

[Hypersmurf]

To be more precise given the wording of the OP, he'll take a -1 to a -2 penalty on the damage roll. It's a -3 Strength penalty, not a -3 Strength modifier penalty. I'm sure most people realize the difference, but just in case let's be clear about it.

Hmm?

Do you normally add your Str bonus to damage, or your Str modifier bonus to damage?

Do you deny someone his Dex bonus to AC, or his Dex modifier bonus to AC?

-3 Strength penalty is the correct terminology for someone with a Str of 4, not -3 Strength modifier penalty.

-Hyp.

 

[Infiniti2000]

My fault. I assumed a higher strength and a penalty to that strength. I did not realize he meant a strength of 4-5. In my defense, who in their right mind has a strength of 4-5 wielding a longbow?

Keep in mind that a "Strength penalty" could be a valid rephrasing of a "penalty to strength" (such as delivered by ray of enfeeblement). Couldn't it?

 

[Dracorat]

Projectile Weapons

Light crossbows, slings, heavy crossbows, shortbows, composite shortbows, longbows, composite longbows, hand crossbows, and repeating crossbows are projectile weapons. Most projectile weapons require two hands to use (see specific weapon descriptions). A character gets no Strength bonus on damage rolls with a projectile weapon unless it’s a specially built composite shortbow, specially built composite longbow, or sling. If the character has a penalty for low Strength, apply it to damage rolls when he or she uses a bow or a sling.

Longbow, Composite

You need at least two hands to use a bow, regardless of its size. You can use a composite longbow while mounted. All composite bows are made with a particular strength rating (that is, each requires a minimum Strength modifier to use with proficiency). If your Strength bonus is less than the strength rating of the composite bow, you can’t effectively use it, so you take a -2 penalty on attacks with it. The default composite longbow requires a Strength modifier of +0 or higher to use with proficiency. A composite longbow can be made with a high strength rating to take advantage of an above-average Strength score; this feature allows you to add your Strength bonus to damage, up to the maximum bonus indicated for the bow. Each point of Strength bonus granted by the bow adds 100 gp to its cost.

For purposes of weapon proficiency and similar feats, a composite longbow is treated as if it were a longbow.

A composite bow is still a bow.

You take the damage penalty with them as well.