Does Base Attack Bonus stack when you gain a level? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Does Base Attack Bonus stack when you gain a level? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Devolution
03-18-06, 12:06 PM Ok. I know this is probably a stupid question, but I don't know the answer. If a level 1 Fighter (BAB +1) gains a level would the second level's BAB be added to the +1 he already has, or replace it?

So I'm in the process of creating a level 5 Fighter. Would his BAB be +15 or +5?

Damn my inexperience!
HammerHeart81
03-18-06, 12:08 PM It would be +5 so know they don't stack.
Shaggy_Shaggs
03-18-06, 12:31 PM Also know that it isn't a replacement. It's an addition of the difference between the last level's BAB and the current level's BAB (or the difference between 0 and the 1st level's BAB, in the case of entering a class).

Why is this distinction important? If it were a replacement, later on down the line if you think about multiclassing, replacing a level 10 fighter's BAB +10/+5 with BAB +0 when he becomes a Fighter 10/Wizard 1 would ruin the character. Instead his BAB as a Fighter 10/Wizard 1 remains +10/+5, and if he levels up again and becomes a Fighter 10/Wizard 2, his BAB goes up to +11/+6/+1, etc.
ashcat_lt
03-18-06, 05:39 PM ...which is functionally the same as adding the base attack of a fighter10 to that of a wiz2.

For the sake of completeness I guess it should be noted that the same is true for base saves. You add the difference between your new level and the last level in the class.

Class features, on the other hand, are cumulative meaning you get everything in the column from first level to the level you're at now. In the case of the Ftr5, you get a total of 3 bonus feats - from the 1st, 2nd and 4th levels.
Ryusage
03-18-06, 06:48 PM So to sum things up... If Tordek the Fighter gets to level 2, he replaces his +1 BAB with the +2. If he multiclasses to Barbarian at the third level, he adds his fighter BAB (+2)and his barbarian BAB (+1) together for a result of +3.

Hope that helps.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Devolution 03-18-06, 12:06 PM	Ok. I know this is probably a stupid question, but I don't know the answer. If a level 1 Fighter (BAB +1) gains a level would the second level's BAB be added to the +1 he already has, or replace it? So I'm in the process of creating a level 5 Fighter. Would his BAB be +15 or +5? Damn my inexperience!
HammerHeart81 03-18-06, 12:08 PM	It would be +5 so know they don't stack.
Shaggy_Shaggs 03-18-06, 12:31 PM	Also know that it isn't a replacement. It's an addition of the difference between the last level's BAB and the current level's BAB (or the difference between 0 and the 1st level's BAB, in the case of entering a class). Why is this distinction important? If it were a replacement, later on down the line if you think about multiclassing, replacing a level 10 fighter's BAB +10/+5 with BAB +0 when he becomes a Fighter 10/Wizard 1 would ruin the character. Instead his BAB as a Fighter 10/Wizard 1 remains +10/+5, and if he levels up again and becomes a Fighter 10/Wizard 2, his BAB goes up to +11/+6/+1, etc.
ashcat_lt 03-18-06, 05:39 PM	...which is functionally the same as adding the base attack of a fighter10 to that of a wiz2. For the sake of completeness I guess it should be noted that the same is true for base saves. You add the difference between your new level and the last level in the class. Class features, on the other hand, are cumulative meaning you get everything in the column from first level to the level you're at now. In the case of the Ftr5, you get a total of 3 bonus feats - from the 1st, 2nd and 4th levels.
Ryusage 03-18-06, 06:48 PM	So to sum things up... If Tordek the Fighter gets to level 2, he replaces his +1 BAB with the +2. If he multiclasses to Barbarian at the third level, he adds his fighter BAB (+2)and his barbarian BAB (+1) together for a result of +3. Hope that helps.