Touch Attacks and Weapon Finesse?

[DreadArchon]

After reviewing the rules, I can't find anything which says that melee touch attacks are always made with Dex instead of Str, nor can I find any indication that Weapon Finesse should work with a melee touch attack.

Considering that melee touch attacks are so easy to get off that you can do it on accident, I can't imagine Str coming into play when using them, even without Weapon Finesse, and it's a non-issue right now because I'm currently the DM. But, in general, is there any written rule that melee touch attacks aren't Str-based?

 

[moritheil]

After reviewing the rules, I can't find anything which says that melee touch attacks are always made with Dex instead of Str, nor can I find any indication that Weapon Finesse should work with a melee touch attack.

Considering that melee touch attacks are so easy to get off that you can do it on accident, I can't imagine Str coming into play when using them, even without Weapon Finesse, and it's a non-issue right now because I'm currently the DM. But, in general, is there any written rule that melee touch attacks aren't Str-based?

I always thought that was to bias the usefulness of touch attacks towards clerics rather than wizards (who often have terrible strength and hps compared with the former.)

But if something makes no sense to you, houserule it.

 

[Caliban]

After reviewing the rules, I can't find anything which says that melee touch attacks are always made with Dex instead of Str, nor can I find any indication that Weapon Finesse should work with a melee touch attack.

Considering that melee touch attacks are so easy to get off that you can do it on accident, I can't imagine Str coming into play when using them, even without Weapon Finesse, and it's a non-issue right now because I'm currently the DM. But, in general, is there any written rule that melee touch attacks aren't Str-based?

By default, they are strength based like every other melee attack.

However, I believe that Weapon Finesse does work with them. You use your hand (or other natural weapon) to touch them, and that's a light weapon. I don't have my books with me, but I think Complete Arcane has something on this in the "weaponlike spells" section.

 

[Dheran]

However, I believe that Weapon Finesse does work with them. You use your hand (or other natural weapon) to touch them, and that's a light weapon. I don't have my books with me, but I think Complete Arcane has something on this in the "weaponlike spells" section.

Actually it's in the previous chapter ("Arcane Feats") in the section "Feats and Weaponlike Spells" on pages 72-73.

 

[Particle_Man]

Trips use touch attacks, and some of the tripping weapons are in the "can be used with Weapon Finesse" class, like Spiked Chain.