Weapon Finesse/Strength penalty? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Weapon Finesse/Strength penalty? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
MikeyP
06-20-07, 12:27 PM This may be a silly question and has probably been discussed in the past, but I've looked around and can't seem to find too much of a definitive answer...

Say a character uses weapon finesse to gain their Dex modifier (say a +4 in this case) as a bonus to hit instead of their Str modifier.

Now, say that they take enough Str damage (or get hit with Ray of Enfeeblement, or whatever) and their Str drops to say, 6 (a -2 penalty).

When making an attack, does the character in question apply both the -2 penalty from a low Str as well as the bonus from Dex (for a net attack bonus of +2)?
RobbyPants
06-20-07, 01:01 PM When making an attack, does the character in question apply both the -2 penalty from a low Str as well as the bonus from Dex (for a net attack bonus of +2)?
Just the dex. The net bonus would be the +4.

Per the SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#weaponFinesse):
Weapon Finesse [General]
Prerequisite
Base attack bonus +1.

Benefit
With a light weapon, rapier, whip, or spiked chain made for a creature of your size category, you may use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier on attack rolls. If you carry a shield, its armor check penalty applies to your attack rolls.

Special
A fighter may select Weapon Finesse as one of his fighter bonus feats.

Natural weapons are always considered light weapons.(emphasis mine in red)

So, basically, it's used instead, so the Str penalty never comes into play for the attack roll. The damage roll is something entirely different, of course...
tarkin
06-20-07, 01:03 PM RobbyPants is correct.
MikeyP
06-20-07, 01:08 PM That's what I thought, I just wanted input from some other folks just to confirm what I thought.
arjomanes
06-20-07, 02:45 PM Keep in mind that a strength penalty will still affect damage, so you will take a -2 on damage rolls. If you have a low strength hopefully you have an alternate form of damage (sneak attack, insightful strike, etc.) to offset the penalty.
OravennasBrother
06-20-07, 06:15 PM The other difficulty of low strength is Encumbrance - make sure you can still move with what you are carrying once the ROE takes effect or .....

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MikeyP 06-20-07, 12:27 PM	This may be a silly question and has probably been discussed in the past, but I've looked around and can't seem to find too much of a definitive answer... Say a character uses weapon finesse to gain their Dex modifier (say a +4 in this case) as a bonus to hit instead of their Str modifier. Now, say that they take enough Str damage (or get hit with Ray of Enfeeblement, or whatever) and their Str drops to say, 6 (a -2 penalty). When making an attack, does the character in question apply both the -2 penalty from a low Str as well as the bonus from Dex (for a net attack bonus of +2)?
RobbyPants 06-20-07, 01:01 PM	When making an attack, does the character in question apply both the -2 penalty from a low Str as well as the bonus from Dex (for a net attack bonus of +2)? Just the dex. The net bonus would be the +4. Per the SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#weaponFinesse): Weapon Finesse [General] Prerequisite Base attack bonus +1. Benefit With a light weapon, rapier, whip, or spiked chain made for a creature of your size category, you may use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier on attack rolls. If you carry a shield, its armor check penalty applies to your attack rolls. Special A fighter may select Weapon Finesse as one of his fighter bonus feats. Natural weapons are always considered light weapons.(emphasis mine in red) So, basically, it's used instead, so the Str penalty never comes into play for the attack roll. The damage roll is something entirely different, of course...
tarkin 06-20-07, 01:03 PM	RobbyPants is correct.
MikeyP 06-20-07, 01:08 PM	That's what I thought, I just wanted input from some other folks just to confirm what I thought.
arjomanes 06-20-07, 02:45 PM	Keep in mind that a strength penalty will still affect damage, so you will take a -2 on damage rolls. If you have a low strength hopefully you have an alternate form of damage (sneak attack, insightful strike, etc.) to offset the penalty.
OravennasBrother 06-20-07, 06:15 PM	The other difficulty of low strength is Encumbrance - make sure you can still move with what you are carrying once the ROE takes effect or .....