Post/Author/DateTime	Post
simon.may 08-22-05, 08:20 AM	In the rules it says that ... "Strength Bonus: When you hit with a melee or thrown weapon, including a sling, add your Strength modifier to the damage result. A Strength penalty, but not a bonus, applies on attacks made with a bow that is not a composite bow. Off-Hand Weapon: When you deal damage with a weapon in your off hand you add only 1/2 your Strength bonus. Wielding a Weapon Two-Handed: When deal damage with a weapon that you are wielding two handed, you add 1-1/2 times your Strength bonus." (Page 134 - Players Handbook) At face value this seems simple ... until you have a negative strength modifier. Let’s take "Weenie" a Halfling wielding a quarterstaff and strength of 7. Scenario 1 Normal attack = 1d4 -2 (add str modifier) Off Hand Attack = 1d4 - 1 (add 1/2 str modifier (rounded down)) Two hand Attack = 1d4 - 3 (add 1-1/2 str modifier (rounded down)) This option doesn't work because "Weenie" is better off wielding his weapon in his off hand. And worse off if he uses two hands. Scenario 2 Normal attack = 1d4 -2 (add str modifier) Off Hand Attack = 1d4 (add 1/2 str Bonus (which would be zero)) Two hand Attack = 1d4 (add 1-1/2 str Bonus (which would be zero)) This option still doesn't work because "Weenie" is better off wielding his weapon in his off hand, but a least he is not penalized for using both hands. This option appears to be support in the sidebar on page 135 of the Players Handbook ... Damage If you score a hit, roll damage and deduct it from the target's current hit points. Add your strength modifier on damage rolls involving melee and thrown weapons. If you're using a weapon in your off hand, add one-half your Strength modifier (if it's a bonus). If you're wielding a weapon with both hands, add one and a half times your Strength modifier (if it's a bonus). But unless I am mistaken the paragraph text out ranks the sidebar text as a primary as defined by the "Errata". Scenario 3 All Attacks = 1d4 (why because the section heading reads "Strength bonus") This option works the best because "Weenie" is not entitled a weapon bonus and means that his weapon at least inflicts some damage. Sadly though it does not accurately reflect his weaker strength What are your thoughts Regards, Simon.
Nagol 08-22-05, 08:23 AM	A negative strength modifer is a penalty not a bonus and is unaffected. This is similar to the way a Dexterity penalty does not make you harder to hit while flat-footed.
Earndur 08-22-05, 08:35 AM	I think by the RAW that the damage in each scenerio would be 1d4-2 for all cases. However, you could houserule it so that the different scenerio could mimic the spirit of the RAW. Normal attack = 1d4 -2 (str penalty) Off Hand Attack = 1d4 - 3 (subtract 1/2 str penalty (rounded down)) Two hand Attack = 1d4 - 1 (add 1/2 str penalty (rounded down)) That way using it a weapon in the off hand does worse damage then a normal attack, and a two handed attack does better damage then a normal attack)