D&D 4E STR 'to-hit' bonus departing in 4e?

[ogre]

Since 4e is striving to release some sacred cows, I'm thinking it's time to be rid of the 'STR adds a to-hit bonus' and simply allow it to only affect damage. I guess that would leave two options, either DEX would modify the attack roll or the attack roll will only be modified by skill (proficiencies etc.) or magic.

Anyone else think this change will occur?

 

[Lanefan]

If they do lose this it'd make no sense from the realism aspect, where a strong person does damage more often because they can hurt you right through the armour, or bash your defenses aside more easily. But then, realism doesn't seem to be having much effect on design parameters these days...

Lanefan

 

[A'koss]

Strength to basic melee attack rolls isn't likely to change. However, we know that classes' various special attacks can be keyed to different abilities. Various Paladin's Smites for example use the PC's Charisma bonus to their attacks.

We've been told that class abilities will be keyed to ability scores important to the class so we can expect to see a lot of Rogue special attacks using their Dex bonus, Wizards with their Int bonus, etc.

 

[Victim]

I think STR will add to attack by default with certain powers (and maybe feats or class features) offering a swap (possibly mandatory for powers). Look at the way paladin smites work in that preview.

 

[ogre]

I don't really agree about the realism aspect, though the 'punch through AC' agrument makes sense, but I think the game has evolved past that, by making combat more 'realistic' and varied.
A'koss, are you implying a wizard will roll attacks with a magic missile using his INT bonus? I understand the special abilities tying to relavant scores, but I'm not sure attack rolls will.

Personally, I'd like to see STR just augment damage. Let DEX modify accuracy.

 

[Bagpuss]

Personally, I'd like to see STR just augment damage. Let DEX modify accuracy.

Dex modify accuracy really only makes sense for light weapons which is already covered by Weapon Finesse. Decent Str is need to wield heavier weapons with any sort of control, it would still makes sense to have Strength add to attack in melee from a 'realism' angle even if armour didn't make you harder to hit.

 

[BASHMAN]

If they do lose this it'd make no sense from the realism aspect, where a strong person does damage more often because they can hurt you right through the armour, or bash your defenses aside more easily.

Lanefan

How does a strong person hit an unarmored monk more often?

 

[Zelster]

How does a strong person hit an unarmored monk more often?

Because people forget the laws of physics and assume that STR = BOO0m!

 

[ogre]

Well, I suppose the realism argument could go on forever... so that aside, wouldn't it be more fun if melle combat was affected by 2 angles rather than one? Its like ranged combat in 3e, in order to be the best (damage and accurate) you need 2 good stats. I'd like to see melee work the same way, so the melee fighters can be more varied and the ole' 'half-orc for +2 STR' won't be so pervasive. I know, it's probably the dragonborn this edition, but you get my point.

 

[Phasics]

Try this logic

STR mod adds to damage
DEX mod adds to attk roll and reduces an incomming attackes DEX mod
CON mod reduces an attackers STR mod.

Of course since CON is already factored into HP the STR dmg bonus i mitagated although I'm not sure if its 1 for 1

Similar DEX bonus to AC would work against an attackers DEX to hit bonus.

Splitting dmg and attk bonus would defiantly make it harder to stack stats to PWN in melee