Post/Author/DateTime	Post
S3NTYN3L 10-02-06, 08:41 PM	I'm trying to figure out the mechanics of a magical composite shortbow. Let's say the character that will use the bow has a +3 strength bonus. I start off by buying a masterwork +3 comp shortbow. If the PC were to use the weapon "as is" he would get the following, correct? +3 mw bow = +3 to attack and +3 strength = +3 to damage If it were a +4 bow, the PC would still get the +3 to damage but take a -2 on any attack rolls, right? If effect, all the +3 is is a bow with a heavy pull that deals more damage and gets a +3 to attack b/c it's a masterwork... But suppose I make it magical... Let's say it's a +3 flaming burst bow. I now get a +3 to attack AND damage rolls. Does this stack with the heavy pull bonus? I mean, would it now be +3 to attack and +6 to damage? I'm really confused and neither the PH nor the DMG explain this to my liking. Thanks for your help. :)
PhaedrusXY 10-02-06, 08:46 PM	There is no such thing as a +3 masterwork bow. Masterwork gives you a +1 enhancement bonus to attack... and that is all, and it does not stack with magical enhancements to attack. MW never goes above +1. Yes, if it were a +3 (the magical enhancement bonus) composite bow with a +3 strength bonus, you'd get +3 to hit and +6 to damage (assuming you have at least a 16 Str).
Tony Vargas 10-02-06, 08:49 PM	I'm trying to figure out the mechanics of a magical composite shortbow. Let's say the character that will use the bow has a +3 strength bonus. I start off by buying a masterwork +3 comp shortbow. If the PC were to use the weapon "as is" he would get the following, correct? +3 mw bow = +3 to attack and +3 strength = +3 to damageNope MW = +1 enhancement to attack Mighty (16 STR) = +3 to damage, when used by a character with 16+ STR It's probably better to think of a mighty bow as having a STR rating, than a bonus. If it were a +4 bow, the PC would still get the +3 to damage but take a -2 on any attack rolls, right?Yes. If effect, all the +3 is is a bow with a heavy pull that deals more damage and gets a +3 to attack b/c it's a masterwork...No. It's 'mighty' so it can benefit from up to a +3 STR bonus to damage. It's MW, which is completely sepparate, giving it a +1 enhancement bonus to attack. You still use your DEX bonus for attacking with it, also. But suppose I make it magical... Let's say it's a +3 flaming burst bow. I now get a +3 to attack AND damage rolls. Does this stack with the heavy pull bonus? I mean, would it now be +3 to attack and +6 to damage?Yes (though how you got there after the above, I'm not sure). If you have a +3 flaming burst bow (cost equivalent to a +5 bow), and it's a Mighty bow for a 16 STR, then, you get a +3 enhancement to hit, a +3 enhancement to damage, and a +3 STR bonus to damage (as long as you have a 16+ STR), for a total of +3 AB and +6 damage... of course, you'll also get +1d6 fire damage, and an additional +2d10 fire damage on a crit. (Note that this bow also has a +1 enhancement bonus to attack from being Masterwork, but it doesn't stack with the +3 enhancement bonus from magic - if the bow were rendered non-magical, it'd be back down to +1 enhancement to attack and +3 STR to damage.)
S3NTYN3L 10-02-06, 08:49 PM	Got it... Thanks! :)