What modifies hit and damage for "Basic" attacks?

[James_Nostack]

Hi: as I understand the rules, which is to say, very imperfectly, a player-character in 4e has:

* basic melee attack
* basic ranged attack
* at-will powers
* several other powers/rituals/whatevers which are invoked less frequently.

Does a high Strength score modify attack and damage for your basic melee attacks? What about a high Dexterity for ranged attacks?

If you have an answer, can you please provide a cite?

thanks,
James

 

[Daniel D. Fox]

Strength modified melee-based and thrown weapons, whereas Dexterity modified ranged attacks. It's stated somewhere along where the Equipment is listed in the PHB and under Basic Attack heading.

 

[Eytan Bernstein]

A character's Strength modifier (along with weapon proficiency modifier) is added to his attack roll for basic melee attacks. The same is true for Dexterity with basic ranged attacks. Strength adds to the damage of basic melee attacks and Dexterity adds to the damage of basic ranged attacks.

 

[Mistwell]

Does weapon proficiency also add to basic attacks? I think it does, but I think it's a fair question in the same theme as the Original Post.

 

[James_Nostack]

Thanks. Incidentally, the cite I was looking for was 287. Melee basic and ranged basic attacks are, technically, at-will powers which everyone possesses.

 

[Stogoe]

Does weapon proficiency also add to basic attacks? I think it does, but I think it's a fair question in the same theme as the Original Post.

Yes, I believe they have the Weapon keyword. Which means you add proficiency to the roll (but I can't find it at the moment).