Why do casters get BAB?

[kitcik]

Melee guys get no spells (ignore the exceptions for now, those spells suck anyways), so why should casters get BAB?

Have full casters get ZERO BAB. Forever. Then give bonuses based on BAB (like bigger 5' steps as in the other thread, breaking the action economy, etc.).

Just a thought...

 

[Ahnehnois]

I don't entirely disagree with that, though I think it's a bit overboard.

From a gameplay perspective, it's important that wizards and such can use weapons when their spells don't work (antimagic, loss of spellbook, just run out of them, golems, etc.). There's also the issue of making attack rolls associated with spells; you have to be able to aim that Melf's Acid Arrow or Disintegrate or Ghoul Touch. Presumably mages spend some time working on this.

For BAB-based benefits, I would like something like Combat Reactions from TB, which allow dodges/parries/etc. based on BAB.

It is a very modern notion; I think that people have become very specialized, and as they develop their occupational skill or other talents they don't necessarily get better at everything. I'd like to see modern games with this kind of approach. For D&D, I'd rather everyone's numbers got cut back, but leave the mages with something.

 

[BryonD]

I very much support the notion that wizards do not need to de facto progress in martial combat ability. There must be solid options for building one who does. But the idea that every wizard everywhere does is pretty weak.

That said, for D&D Legacy, that is a fundamental understood of the specific sub-genre of fantasy that is D&D.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Um.... how about for figuring the Ranged Touch Attack of Ray spells?

 

[kitcik]

Um.... how about for figuring the Ranged Touch Attack of Ray spells?

Yes, two people have now raised this flaw in my evil master plan.

Let's say your base BAB for ranged touch spells is equal to the spell DC minus 10?

 

[Shin Okada]

The same logic can be applied to other type of characters and abilities.

Why a melee warrior should be more mentally stronger?
Why a priest must be more reflexive than usual people?
etc., etc.

But my understanding is, all the higher level PCs of D&D are great heroes and they are somewhat capable in wide variety of area.

 

[Buugipopuu]

You don't survive over a hundred potentially lethal fights (what it means to be a mid-level character) with out at least learning something about how combat works.

 

[Shin Okada]

Just a random thought but ..

Maybe you can make a totally non-adventuring NPC caster class, who gains XPs not from adventuring but from researching/trading magic items only, who can cast as strong spells as an adventuring wizard but has no BAB.

 

[kitcik]

You don't survive over a hundred potentially lethal fights (what it means to be a mid-level character) with out at least learning something about how combat works.

But fighters survive over 100 magically enhanced fights without learning anything about how magic works?

Interesting perspective...

 

[Shin Okada]

But fighters survive over 100 magically enhanced fights without learning anything about how magic works?

Interesting perspective...

Yep.

Fighters may not learn how to cast spells. But learn how to RESIST magics (base save bonus and HDs) for surviving 100 magically enhanced fights.

Up to 3.5e D&D, most spellcasters don't have at-will magic. So there are times when they have to use physical or near-physical attacks. But fighters' melee attacks don't become "empty". So they don't seriousely need other methods to eliminate foes.