Question About Monster Attacks. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Question About Monster Attacks. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
scoobs
04-05-07, 04:43 PM Simple question. I have an idea, but I want to confirm it. The manual specifies that stats within parenthesis next to the hit points is the average, so I'm cool with that.

However...

Attacks and AC.

Attack.

From the Monster's Manual:

Excerpt on Manticore.

Base Attack: +6

Attack: Claw +10 melee (2d4 +5); or 6 Spikes +8 melee (1d8 +2); or spikes +8 ranged (1d8 +2/19-20).

Does this mean, if the attack chosen is claw, I add +6 due to its Base Attack AND +10 due to its attack when using Claw, making a total of +16 on a 1d20? Then use a 2d4 + 5) for the damage using a claw?

Question about Monsters' AC (Manticore).

Armor Class: 17 (-1 size, +2 Dex, +2 natural).

Is 17 the monster's total AC, or do I factor in the stats in parenthesis (making a total of 20 AC)?

Thanks in advance.
ZiggZagg
04-05-07, 04:50 PM BAB attack is just that. It is the careture's base attack. That is already factored into the attack entry. Just add the +10 on the 1d20

The numbers beside the AC are also just that. They are showing you what goes into giving the creature the indicated AC. Do not add them in, as they are already there
scoobs
04-05-07, 05:06 PM Thanks.

Then the 2d4 + 5 is what I roll (and add) for the damage of this monster's melee from claw...

And do ALL monsters get a Full Atk (I haven't read otherwise)?
Witch
04-05-07, 05:17 PM Full Attack is what you do when you can spend a full round action attacking.
Attack is what you do when you only spend a standard action attacking.
scoobs
04-05-07, 05:32 PM I know what it is. I'm just saying there aren't many monsters in the manual the DON'T have Full Att. Not all PC's can use a Full Att, according to the PHB. You need a feat, a high enough BAB, a weapon in both hands, etc.
Nom
04-05-07, 05:41 PM Well, everyone can full attack, but the question is whether it gains you anything.

Many creatures have natural weapons, allowing them to make a single attack with each weapon. At low levels (say below 8), this is quite potent, since most PCs will have only a single attack. However, primary warriors get a second attack at level 6 and secondry warriors at level 8, while natural weapons never get second attacks. Thus, as level increases the inherent benefit of natural weapons diminishes.
Witch
04-05-07, 06:00 PM I know what it is. I'm just saying there aren't many monsters in the manual the DON'T have Full Att. Not all PC's can use a Full Att, according to the PHB. You need a feat, a high enough BAB, a weapon in both hands, etc.
Monsters tend to have multiple natural attacks, so they tend to have an entry for it.
Frugal
04-07-07, 10:07 AM You will see the odd entry that has a full attack line that's exactly the same as the attack line, just for clarity that they don't have extra attacks.

The BAB line is there for things like power attack, or so that if you advance the monster you know what changes.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
scoobs 04-05-07, 04:43 PM	Simple question. I have an idea, but I want to confirm it. The manual specifies that stats within parenthesis next to the hit points is the average, so I'm cool with that. However... Attacks and AC. Attack. From the Monster's Manual: Excerpt on Manticore. Base Attack: +6 Attack: Claw +10 melee (2d4 +5); or 6 Spikes +8 melee (1d8 +2); or spikes +8 ranged (1d8 +2/19-20). Does this mean, if the attack chosen is claw, I add +6 due to its Base Attack AND +10 due to its attack when using Claw, making a total of +16 on a 1d20? Then use a 2d4 + 5) for the damage using a claw? Question about Monsters' AC (Manticore). Armor Class: 17 (-1 size, +2 Dex, +2 natural). Is 17 the monster's total AC, or do I factor in the stats in parenthesis (making a total of 20 AC)? Thanks in advance.
ZiggZagg 04-05-07, 04:50 PM	BAB attack is just that. It is the careture's base attack. That is already factored into the attack entry. Just add the +10 on the 1d20 The numbers beside the AC are also just that. They are showing you what goes into giving the creature the indicated AC. Do not add them in, as they are already there
scoobs 04-05-07, 05:06 PM	Thanks. Then the 2d4 + 5 is what I roll (and add) for the damage of this monster's melee from claw... And do ALL monsters get a Full Atk (I haven't read otherwise)?
Witch 04-05-07, 05:17 PM	Full Attack is what you do when you can spend a full round action attacking. Attack is what you do when you only spend a standard action attacking.
scoobs 04-05-07, 05:32 PM	I know what it is. I'm just saying there aren't many monsters in the manual the DON'T have Full Att. Not all PC's can use a Full Att, according to the PHB. You need a feat, a high enough BAB, a weapon in both hands, etc.
Nom 04-05-07, 05:41 PM	Well, everyone can full attack, but the question is whether it gains you anything. Many creatures have natural weapons, allowing them to make a single attack with each weapon. At low levels (say below 8), this is quite potent, since most PCs will have only a single attack. However, primary warriors get a second attack at level 6 and secondry warriors at level 8, while natural weapons never get second attacks. Thus, as level increases the inherent benefit of natural weapons diminishes.
Witch 04-05-07, 06:00 PM	I know what it is. I'm just saying there aren't many monsters in the manual the DON'T have Full Att. Not all PC's can use a Full Att, according to the PHB. You need a feat, a high enough BAB, a weapon in both hands, etc. Monsters tend to have multiple natural attacks, so they tend to have an entry for it.
Frugal 04-07-07, 10:07 AM	You will see the odd entry that has a full attack line that's exactly the same as the attack line, just for clarity that they don't have extra attacks. The BAB line is there for things like power attack, or so that if you advance the monster you know what changes.