Post/Author/DateTime	Post
johniemi 04-16-07, 01:43 PM	I'm looking at the feral template for my character. It gives two claw attacks that deal 1d8 damage. Now for the question; If I were to use these attacks, how do I calculate additional attacks and attack bonuses; e.g.; Character's attack bonus is +5. Does he then get 2 claw attacks at +5/+5? Character's attack bonus is +6/+1 giving two melee attacks. Does he then get 3 claw attacks at +5/+5/+1? And if I remember correctly, natural attacks add your STR modifier to the damage dealt? -John
Khatoblepas 04-16-07, 02:16 PM	He does get two primary claw attacks, yes, or two secondary (Full BAB -5) if you have already attacked with a melee weapon. You don't gain more than that once you get BAB +6. Manufactured Weapons use the extra attacks, natural attacks don't =)
Scribbler 04-16-07, 02:20 PM	Natural attacks don't gain iterative attacks, so there would only ever be two claws: +5/+5 in your first example, +6/+6 in the second. This is for primary natural attacks. To use your claws with a weapon, the weapon is the primary attack and the claw is a secondary attack. For this, the natural weapon attack takes a -5 penalty but your weapon attack doesn't take a penalty. As a general rule, you can't use a claw attack if you have something in that hand. So no claw attacks with TWF or a two-handed weapon. If you use a longsword, for example, then your attacks would be: +5 longsword and +0 claw (for the +5 bonus) or +6/+1 longsword and +1 claw (for the +6/+1 bonus). Your Str mod applies to both attack and damage (half Str to damage for the secondary attack).
johniemi 04-16-07, 02:26 PM	Okay, too bad because I was thinking of making a melee sorcerer out of the character. Is there any way to get more natural attacks with feats or should I just talk to my DM if he would allow me to make a feat that gives me a third attack at -5 penalty (possibly requiring weapon focus [claw] or something similar)? -John
The_Shaman 04-16-07, 03:18 PM	I think there might be feats that allow additional attacks with pairs of natural weapons. I think SS had some, for starters. Edit: well, they have multiattack. For more attacks, Draconomicon has rapidstrike, but it requires you to be a dragon, aberration, magical beast, plant, or elemental. Hmm, that might be interesting for half-dragons and the like... Draconic creatures, for example, could benefit from it. A pity feral creatures might have a problem qualifying.
Morwen 04-16-07, 03:18 PM	Okay, too bad because I was thinking of making a melee sorcerer out of the character. Is there any way to get more natural attacks with feats or should I just talk to my DM if he would allow me to make a feat that gives me a third attack at -5 penalty (possibly requiring weapon focus [claw] or something similar)? -John That feat already exists. It's called Rapidstrike (to get one additional attack) and Improved Rapidstrike (to get up to 3 additional attacks). Both are in the Draconomicon.
snakebliskan 04-16-07, 08:18 PM	dont look for a template just take the shifter race from eberron..... they rock! mine is razorclaw shifter 5druid/warshaper2/weretouchedmaster1. he does 2d6+18 with his claws and he's imune to crit's and can cast spells....lol all that with over 85 hp.... my party's main tank right now!
johniemi 04-17-07, 01:52 AM	Ok, thanks. I was going to take the Dragonborn template at some point, maybe that lets me qualify for the Rapidstrike feats. But one more thing is still unclear; is the STR damage for primary natural attacks STR mod x 0.5 or STR mod x 1? This is important to know as if it's the lower value, I won't be putting too much emphasis on STR when I point buy my ability scores. -John
runestar 04-17-07, 02:18 AM	Improved rapidstrike is a no brainer for any creature with multiple natural attacks, like the tarrasque or dragons.:) But one more thing is still unclear; is the STR damage for primary natural attacks STR mod x 0.5 or STR mod x 1? This is important to know as if it's the lower value, I won't be putting too much emphasis on STR when I point buy my ability scores. Your str mod.
G_Mancer 04-17-07, 11:03 AM	Ok, thanks. I was going to take the Dragonborn template at some point, maybe that lets me qualify for the Rapidstrike feats. But one more thing is still unclear; is the STR damage for primary natural attacks STR mod x 0.5 or STR mod x 1? This is important to know as if it's the lower value, I won't be putting too much emphasis on STR when I point buy my ability scores. -John one thing is, feral is an inherited template(your born with it) and dragonborn is an applied template(you gain it after birth). when you take the dragonborn template you'd lose your claw attacks, and maybe also your imp grap/pounce/rend/ect. you'd keep the darkvision and fast healing though.