What is meant by "precision based damage"?

[RigaMortus]

I see a lot of references to "precision based damage" in the PHB. What exactly qualifies as "precision based damage"? I know Sneak Attack does, because it is listed as such.

This question came up when I used Manyshot and wasn't sure if I should apply the damage from Favored Enemy to all my arrows, or just the first arrow.

I have a few more questions as well...

If I have a Mighty Composite Longbow +2, and I used Manyshot, can I apply the +2 Str bonus to damage for each arrow fired from Manyshot?

I assume Sneak Attack damage is only applied to the first arrow fired from Manyshot?

Does it specifically state anywhere that you only apply "precision based damage" once per attack? Or anything else similiar to that statement?

I sort of remember in 3.0 you could only add damage such as Sneak Attack, Weapon Specialization and Favored Enemy damage to 1 Shuriken per toss (not all 3). Is it still the same in 3.5? If so, where is this stated?

If I cast a ray spell that allows me to split the ray (like Scorching Ray OR using the Split Ray Feat), and I choose seperate targets, will I get Sneak Attack damage on each Ray (assuming all other conditions apply for Sneak Attack)???

 

[RigaMortus]

No responses? Didn't realize this was such a tough question, heh...

 

[Hawkeye]

I am certainly no expert, but I happened to be reading the Manyshot feat the other day and I am pretty sure that you only apply your Sneak attack damage to your first arrow. I am sure it is the same for other instances. Even though they all happen in the same segment of combat, they all don't happen instantly, so only the first hit counts. Now if somehow you are able to attack two simultaneous targets at the same time, maybe sneak attack then, but I am just not sure.

Hawkeye

 

[sledged]

When in doubt go with "Extra damage rolls over and above a weapon's normal damage." I'd make an exception to the flaming weapon ability and the like. Dishing out the extra fire damage is not based on precision, well, no more than sticking someone with an arrow anyway. So sneak attack and the OotBI's ranged precision are all of which I can think that wouldn't be applied to the extra arrows.

 

[UltimaGabe]

Precision-based damage is any sort of damage that doesn't work from more than 30 feet away. Such kinds of damage include Sneak Attack, Weapon Specialization, Favored Enemy Bonus Damage, and the +1 to damage from Point Blank Shot.

 

[Ashardalon]

Ultima is pretty much spot on, except that the Favored Enemy and Weapon Specialization bonuses no longer are precision-based (they were in 3.0, but that was dropped for 3.5).

 

[argo]

I believe that the following definition works in all situations:

"Any damage which you cannot apply against creatures immune to critical hits."

 

[Sejs]

What exactly qualifies as "precision based damage"?

Any additional damage that requires you to be within 30' of your target in order to qualify for.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I believe that the following definition works in all situations:

"Any damage which you cannot apply against creatures immune to critical hits."

Except in the 3E FAQ, Weapon Specialization was explicitly deemed precision damage, and it worked on creatures immune to critical hits.

Actually, precision damage isn't defined anywhere. But the examples in the 3E FAQ that were specifically noted as precision damage - sneak attack, Weaopn Specialization, and Favored Enemy - only had one thing in common: the 30 foot limit.

That's where the common definition has come from, and it's why WS and FE are no longer considered precision damage by most people in 3.5, and why Point Blank Shot is.

But you will still find people out there who argue "The 3E FAQ said WS and FE were precision damage - it didn't say they were precision damage because of the 30 foot limit. And so, in the absence of a actual definition, they should still be considered precision damage in 3.5."

I don't agree with those people, but they're out there

-Hyp.

 

[sledged]

Precision-based damage is any sort of damage that doesn't work from more than 30 feet away.

I like that definition. It's easy to apply.