Base Attack Bonus [Archive] - Wizards Community

Base Attack Bonus [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DemonDragonJ
09-23-05, 02:13 PM This may sound like a question that an amateur would ask, but what is the maximum number of attacks a character can possibly have?

For example, a BAB of +15/+10/+5 means that you can make 3 attacks in a round: the first with a +15 bonus to the attack roll, the second with a +10 bonus, and the third with a +5 bonus. The highest BAB shown in the Player's Handbook is +20/+15/+10/+5, but is it possible to gain a fifth attack in a single round, by having a base attack bonus of +21/+16/+11/+6/+1?
ieattrollsforbreakfast
09-23-05, 02:15 PM No, four iterative attacks is the most any character or creature can ever have. For epic characters, BAB stops progressing (you get epic attack bonus instead), so the BAB will stay at a maximum of +20/+15/+10/+5. Though monsters can have higher BABs, there is still a 4 attack cap.
Zherog
09-23-05, 02:20 PM You can certainly have more than four attacks a round - it's just the rest don't come directly from your BAB. ;)
Tyler Do'Urden
09-23-05, 07:27 PM No, four iterative attacks is the most any character or creature can ever have. For epic characters, BAB stops progressing (you get epic attack bonus instead), so the BAB will stay at a maximum of +20/+15/+10/+5. Though monsters can have higher BABs, there is still a 4 attack cap.

I was always kinda bothered by the fact that Epic attack bonus doesn't grant attacks. I can dig the limit of four iteratives, but realize that if you don't get a +16 BAB at or before 20th level, you will never ever get your four attacks.
Some people are fine with this, but I don't like it. I think even the wizard should eventually get four iterative attacks if he survives that long.

But yeah, the iterative limit is four attacks. It used to be five, but that was only for monk/drunken masters and only 'cause the old flurry changed your attack progression from -5s to -3's.
amethal
09-23-05, 07:39 PM I was always kinda bothered by the fact that Epic attack bonus doesn't grant attacks. I can dig the limit of four iteratives, but realize that if you don't get a +16 BAB at or before 20th level, you will never ever get your four attacks.The reason given in the ELH is that extra attacks at -5 are a waste of time at epic level.

There's not much difference between a 30th level wizard having BAB +15/+10 or +15/+10/+5 as that last attack isn't going to hit anyway against epic opponents.

This may or may not be true, depending on the circumstances (epic wizards can manage to get an awful lot of bonuses to hit, if they put their minds to it).

I've never DM'd an epic game, but if I did I'd houserule that any character with a BAB of at least +16 (regardless of how much was an epic bonus) can have 4 iteratives, provided the player has a supply of 4 different coloured d20s to roll at the same time.

It might also be a balance issue - apparently casters dominate epic levels, so this might be a way to help out fighter types in a small way.
Novacat
09-23-05, 09:30 PM You can certainly have more than four attacks a round - it's just the rest don't come directly from your BAB. ;)

No one likes a smartass. ;)
Zherog
09-23-05, 10:20 PM No one likes a smartass. ;)

Everybody likes me! :D

* listens to the crickets *

:(
Molitor
09-23-05, 10:48 PM chirp, chirp

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DemonDragonJ 09-23-05, 02:13 PM	This may sound like a question that an amateur would ask, but what is the maximum number of attacks a character can possibly have? For example, a BAB of +15/+10/+5 means that you can make 3 attacks in a round: the first with a +15 bonus to the attack roll, the second with a +10 bonus, and the third with a +5 bonus. The highest BAB shown in the Player's Handbook is +20/+15/+10/+5, but is it possible to gain a fifth attack in a single round, by having a base attack bonus of +21/+16/+11/+6/+1?
ieattrollsforbreakfast 09-23-05, 02:15 PM	No, four iterative attacks is the most any character or creature can ever have. For epic characters, BAB stops progressing (you get epic attack bonus instead), so the BAB will stay at a maximum of +20/+15/+10/+5. Though monsters can have higher BABs, there is still a 4 attack cap.
Zherog 09-23-05, 02:20 PM	You can certainly have more than four attacks a round - it's just the rest don't come directly from your BAB. ;)
Tyler Do'Urden 09-23-05, 07:27 PM	No, four iterative attacks is the most any character or creature can ever have. For epic characters, BAB stops progressing (you get epic attack bonus instead), so the BAB will stay at a maximum of +20/+15/+10/+5. Though monsters can have higher BABs, there is still a 4 attack cap. I was always kinda bothered by the fact that Epic attack bonus doesn't grant attacks. I can dig the limit of four iteratives, but realize that if you don't get a +16 BAB at or before 20th level, you will never ever get your four attacks. Some people are fine with this, but I don't like it. I think even the wizard should eventually get four iterative attacks if he survives that long. But yeah, the iterative limit is four attacks. It used to be five, but that was only for monk/drunken masters and only 'cause the old flurry changed your attack progression from -5s to -3's.
amethal 09-23-05, 07:39 PM	I was always kinda bothered by the fact that Epic attack bonus doesn't grant attacks. I can dig the limit of four iteratives, but realize that if you don't get a +16 BAB at or before 20th level, you will never ever get your four attacks.The reason given in the ELH is that extra attacks at -5 are a waste of time at epic level. There's not much difference between a 30th level wizard having BAB +15/+10 or +15/+10/+5 as that last attack isn't going to hit anyway against epic opponents. This may or may not be true, depending on the circumstances (epic wizards can manage to get an awful lot of bonuses to hit, if they put their minds to it). I've never DM'd an epic game, but if I did I'd houserule that any character with a BAB of at least +16 (regardless of how much was an epic bonus) can have 4 iteratives, provided the player has a supply of 4 different coloured d20s to roll at the same time. It might also be a balance issue - apparently casters dominate epic levels, so this might be a way to help out fighter types in a small way.
Novacat 09-23-05, 09:30 PM	You can certainly have more than four attacks a round - it's just the rest don't come directly from your BAB. ;) No one likes a smartass. ;)
Zherog 09-23-05, 10:20 PM	No one likes a smartass. ;) Everybody likes me! :D * listens to the crickets * :(
Molitor 09-23-05, 10:48 PM	chirp, chirp