Shadow Blade feat: Dex + Str? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Shadow Blade feat: Dex + Str? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
yeti1069
07-10-07, 06:02 PM The Shadow Blade feat from the Tome of Battle: Book of Nine Swords, says in the feat list, that you may add your Dex instead of your Str to damage, but in the actual feat description, it says nothing about replacing Str, which implies that the Dex is just added to damage.
NoldorForce
07-10-07, 06:05 PM Go with the text over the table if the two contradict.

In this case, you add your Dexterity modifier to damage, rather than using it to replace your Strength modifier.
DocBeard
07-10-07, 06:14 PM Is it technically a contradiction, if the text is simply not as clear as the table is?

Clearly, the thing to do is to decide that your preferred interpretation is law, and that anyone who disagrees is horrible powergaming scum. (Or maybe that's just me. :) )

Also, your dexterity modifier replaces your strength modifier to damage, rather than being added to it. If you disagree, you are horrible powergaming scum.
NoldorForce
07-10-07, 06:19 PM What are you referring to? That's obviously sarcasm, but also seems to be paraphrasing similar arguments.
AAB
07-10-07, 11:15 PM the text in the feat description overrides anything in a table.
Majick
07-11-07, 12:22 PM As a first level ability that's not even in a prestige class i would not allow this to ADD to damage, i would have it REPLACE strength for dexterity to damage... which really ain't so bad when you think about it (spiked chain anyone?)
NoldorForce
07-11-07, 12:58 PM It only works for a small set of weapons, mind you.
Esponer
07-11-07, 02:05 PM As I recall, Customer Service clarified reliably that the text is correct and the table incorrect: Dexterity bonus is added to damage.
Tempest Stormwind
07-11-07, 02:49 PM It only works for a small set of weapons, mind you.

A small set of weapons while in a small set of stances.

Speaking as a representative of the CO boards, this isn't as big a deal as people think it is. It costs a feat, or THREE feats if you aren't a swordsage. Compare this to swashbuckler 3, which is similar, and you'll see how close they are: a nonstandard ability score to melee damage in addition to Strength with a subset of weapons.

INSIGHTFUL STRIKE: Bigger subset of weapons, nonconditional application, no feat cost, but only available with levels in a particular class (which comes with a free Weapon Finesse, letting you ignore Strength on the ever-important attack roll).
SHADOW BLADE: Smaller subset of weapons, conditional application, high feat cost OR low feat cost + levels in a particular class. (Still requires Weapon Finesse if you totally want to dump Strength.)

Seems fine to me.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
yeti1069 07-10-07, 06:02 PM	The Shadow Blade feat from the Tome of Battle: Book of Nine Swords, says in the feat list, that you may add your Dex instead of your Str to damage, but in the actual feat description, it says nothing about replacing Str, which implies that the Dex is just added to damage.
NoldorForce 07-10-07, 06:05 PM	Go with the text over the table if the two contradict. In this case, you add your Dexterity modifier to damage, rather than using it to replace your Strength modifier.
DocBeard 07-10-07, 06:14 PM	Is it technically a contradiction, if the text is simply not as clear as the table is? Clearly, the thing to do is to decide that your preferred interpretation is law, and that anyone who disagrees is horrible powergaming scum. (Or maybe that's just me. :) ) Also, your dexterity modifier replaces your strength modifier to damage, rather than being added to it. If you disagree, you are horrible powergaming scum.
NoldorForce 07-10-07, 06:19 PM	What are you referring to? That's obviously sarcasm, but also seems to be paraphrasing similar arguments.
AAB 07-10-07, 11:15 PM	the text in the feat description overrides anything in a table.
Majick 07-11-07, 12:22 PM	As a first level ability that's not even in a prestige class i would not allow this to ADD to damage, i would have it REPLACE strength for dexterity to damage... which really ain't so bad when you think about it (spiked chain anyone?)
NoldorForce 07-11-07, 12:58 PM	It only works for a small set of weapons, mind you.
Esponer 07-11-07, 02:05 PM	As I recall, Customer Service clarified reliably that the text is correct and the table incorrect: Dexterity bonus is added to damage.
Tempest Stormwind 07-11-07, 02:49 PM	It only works for a small set of weapons, mind you. A small set of weapons while in a small set of stances. Speaking as a representative of the CO boards, this isn't as big a deal as people think it is. It costs a feat, or THREE feats if you aren't a swordsage. Compare this to swashbuckler 3, which is similar, and you'll see how close they are: a nonstandard ability score to melee damage in addition to Strength with a subset of weapons. INSIGHTFUL STRIKE: Bigger subset of weapons, nonconditional application, no feat cost, but only available with levels in a particular class (which comes with a free Weapon Finesse, letting you ignore Strength on the ever-important attack roll). SHADOW BLADE: Smaller subset of weapons, conditional application, high feat cost OR low feat cost + levels in a particular class. (Still requires Weapon Finesse if you totally want to dump Strength.) Seems fine to me.