Wizard attack question - Intelligence bonus

[MarkB]

I'm on Korean time - sorry I couldn't respond earlier and fix one of the points. The ranger uses a bastardsword and always has. I actually typed in longsword at first but remembered the correct weapon, so went back in and fixed it... but only corrected one which made everything more confusing. *Sorry*

Surprisingly, he picked up his first proficiency just this level - the +3 for his bastard sword.

Rangers start out with proficiency with a wide range of weapons. Bastard swords just don't happen to be one of them.

So in fact, the Ranger character had been screwing himself over until this level by choosing to use a weapon he wasn't proficient with, and is only now achieving the attack bonus he should have had right from the start of the game. Rather than feeling jealous of his current improvement, the wizard should feel sorry for him for having to play with a major handicap over the past few levels.

 

[Azarin]

The above is right on the money. Monster AC averages 2 points higher then their NADs.

NADs. Now that is a poetic way to put it. LOL

 

[Starfox]

Unfortunately, the advice about how to deal with the DM should be directed at me - I am the DM. New, yes, and DM'ing kids, yes, but still these are things I should know.

Don't worry about it - everyone gets some rules wrong in their first game. Coming here to ask how to do things is a great way to get help too. As long as the players keep coming back, you are doing it mostly right.

The reason there is a difference between the Wizard's and the Ranger's attack bonuses is that rangers attacks are mostly against Armor Class, while Wizards attack Fortitude, Reflex and Will, which are supposed to be a little lower. Yes, I know this is not always true, particularily with brutes, but this is the reason.