What all is included in [W]?

[savage3e]

First off, I'm sorry if this has been answered already. I'm unable to find the answer by browsing.

"What all is included in [W] damage?"

My first thought was that it should be treated like a basic weapon hit, adding in bonuses from the weapon, and feats, and relevant ability modifiers. But then I come across Sudden Strike that lists for the Primary Hit "1[W] damage" and for the Secondary Hit "2[W] + Strength Modifier damage". This leads me to look more closely at other Ranger Exploits where I notice that some state simply 1[W] while others clearly state 1[W] + Ability Modifier.

I've looked at the damage example on page 276 of the PHB and it doesn't seem to answer this question, at least not in a way that I can interpret. Can anybody help me out here?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Stogoe]

[W] is just the dice from the weapon and nothing else.

 

[wayne62682]

Sadly, Stogoe is right - It's just the damage die, with no modifiers. Which doesn't make a lick of sense at all, since you're still stabbing/cutting/thrusting with your weapon, so you would still have all the power behind it as with a regular attack.

 

[The Sword 88]

[W] is just the dice from the weapon and nothing else.

Not true.
1[W] includes enhancement bonus from your weapon and any feat bonus you have to damge rolls.

So if I am an eladrin ranger with eladrin soldier and a pair or +1 longswords then a 1[W] is 1d8 + 3 damage. Supposing I have 18 STR then a 1[W] + STR modifier damage is 1d8 + 7.

 

[jaelis]

In general, any bonus that says it is added to "damage rolls" would be added when you roll [W] (or n[W]).

 

[savage3e]

Very good. Thanks guys.

 

[Sceadeau]

Not true.
1[W] includes enhancement bonus from your weapon and any feat bonus you have to damge rolls.

So if I am an eladrin ranger with eladrin soldier and a pair or +1 longswords then a 1[W] is 1d8 + 3 damage. Supposing I have 18 STR then a 1[W] + STR modifier damage is 1d8 + 7.

Incorrect.

[W] in your previous example is just 1d8.

You are correct to point out that, with a +1 longsword, a power that said add 1[W] + str would do 1d8+7, but that Eladrin Soldier bonus and +1 longsword bonus to damage both get added to the end of the power output, not during the W stage.

So, 1[W]+str = 1d8+7
2[W]+str = 2d8 + 7 (not 2d8+10 as you believe it would be)

 

[timbannock]

But then I come across Sudden Strike that lists for the Primary Hit "1[W] damage" and for the Secondary Hit "2[W] + Strength Modifier damage". This leads me to look more closely at other Ranger Exploits where I notice that some state simply 1[W] while others clearly state 1[W] + Ability Modifier.

So "2[W] + Str mod" means you might be adding your Str mod in 3 times?

i.e. 18 Str is a +4 mod, so using a longsword with this power would be:

2d8+12 (4+4 for "2[w]" and another +4 for "+ Str mod")?

 

[Sceadeau]

So "2[W] + Str mod" means you might be adding your Str mod in 3 times?

i.e. 18 Str is a +4 mod, so using a longsword with this power would be:

2d8+12 (4+4 for "2[w]" and another +4 for "+ Str mod")?

2[W] + str (with an 18 str) is

2d8+4

 

[aurance]

Page 276 of the PHB will answer your question. In short, [W] is your weapon damage die only, without any bonuses (which you add in after making whatever multiple rolls), as per Sceadeau's example above.