Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Squatingmonkey 11-06-07, 10:25 AM	Hey folks, New D&D player here and I am having trouble determining the difference between my BAB and my dmg bonus. I am a 3rd lv Human Rogue that is multiclassed 2 Rogue/1 Fighter. My Dex bonus is +3 and I have a +1 shortbow. So: 1) when multi classing which class BAB do you use? I know in this example it doesn't make a diff b/c rogue 2 bab=fighter 1 bab, but in general what does one do? 2) does my dex donus help my bab or my dmg? 3) What is my BAB and my +dmg with these numbers I know these are simple question to vets but to beginners just trying to digest the PHB is a tall order. Thanks in advance for any info.
qwerty1 11-06-07, 10:55 AM	you have a BAB of +3 Your Melee Attack is +3 plus Str Mod plus your size (if any) plus any Weapon Enhancements. Your Ranged Attack is +3 plus Dex Mod plus your size (if any) plus any Weapon Enhancements. So example: Str 12 (+1), Dex 14 (+2), +1 shortbow (Str +1), +1 short sword BAB +3 Melee +5 attack (+2 extra damage over and above the weapon) Ranged +6 attack (+2 extra damage over and above the weapon) Hope this helps.
LSMFT 11-06-07, 10:56 AM	Hey folks, New D&D player here and I am having trouble determining the difference between my BAB and my dmg bonus. I am a 3rd lv Human Rogue that is multiclassed 2 Rogue/1 Fighter. My Dex bonus is +3 and I have a +1 shortbow. So: 1) when multi classing which class BAB do you use? I know in this example it doesn't make a diff b/c rogue 2 bab=fighter 1 bab, but in general what does one do?Add the BABs together. A Rogue 2 has a BAB of +1. A fighter 1 has a BAB of +1. So, a rogue2/fighter1 has a BAB of +2. A rogue6/fighter3 would have a BAB of +7, +4 from the rogue levels, +3 from the fighter levels. (Saves work the same way.) 2) does my dex donus help my bab or my dmg?No. And there is a vocab issue here: BAB is Base Attack Bonus. It is the starting point for calculating your attacks. The base can be improved upon, but the only way to improve the base is to add a level. Dex bonuses are added to your BAB to calculate to-hit with ranged weapons. If you have the Weapon Finesse feat, it can be added to some melee weapons to-hit as well. Typically, Dex is not added to damage for any weapon. 3) What is my BAB and my +dmg with these numbers Your arrack with your shortbow would be made at +6 to hit: 2 from BAB + 3 from Dex + 1 enhancement from the bow.
Zherog 11-06-07, 11:39 AM	you have a BAB of +3 As LS pointed out, his BAB is +2, not +3.
qwerty1 11-06-07, 11:46 AM	Ok, sorry. Geeze I don't have my books with me or a link to the SRD here at work. I mistook his Rogue Level as the BAB so thats where i went wrong but still my math (ignoring the BAB problem) right.
Squatingmonkey 11-06-07, 11:53 AM	Ahh I see.. thank you very much. For clarification then, the +1 enhancement on my bow is a +1 to hit, not a +1to my dmg roll correct?
LSMFT 11-06-07, 11:58 AM	Depends: Masterwork items have a +1 enhancement to hit. Magic items do too, and a +1 enhancement to damage. So, if it is a magic bow, it is to both, but only to hit if it is merely masterwork. Note: All magic bows are also masterwork, but the +1 enhancement to-hit doesn't stack.
qwerty1 11-06-07, 11:58 AM	No it also includes Damage. (Correct me Zherog or LSMFT) I am sure of the Strength rating of Bows you can add up to your STR Mod if you have a strong enough bow made.
LSMFT 11-06-07, 12:02 PM	We need to know more about the bow to answer. It can have a strength rating, but only if it is a composite bow that has been specially made and he has a sufficient Str.
Squatingmonkey 11-06-07, 02:44 PM	The shortbow started as a +1 mundane. During the course of the campaign it was "enchanted" (DM's word not mine) to a +1. So I don't know if that means magical or not. But I understand the concepts now. Thanks for all the help guys, very useful info.
LSMFT 11-06-07, 04:16 PM	You have to ask your DM to be sure, but an "enchanted" +1 bow seems like a magical one to me: +1 to both attacks and damage.
Legdiwena 11-06-07, 05:05 PM	Gotta love free mystery enchants