Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 lkwpeter Mar 09, 2015 8:48:14	Hi,   in my group the players always make spell attack throws:     - for ranged attacks using DEX   - for melee attacks using STR.   Have I got it wrong that ALL TYPES OF SPELL ATTACKS need to be made using the spellcasting ability modifier (e.g. WIS or INT), regardless of making a ranged or melee attack?   Would be glad about some answers.   Peter
#2 FrogReaver Mar 09, 2015 8:53:13	lkwpeter wrote:
#3 jonathonhawke Mar 09, 2015 8:53:15	PHB page 205 wrote:
#4 Ath-kethin Mar 09, 2015 8:54:23	Per the Player's Handbook, page 205: "Your attack bonus with a spell attack equals your spellcasting ability modifier + your proficiency bonus."  Note that if you are rolling a spell attack in melee, you still suffer disadvantage on the roll (same book, same page, same section).  DEX and STR have nothing to do with spell attack rolls, which I'm sure makes most wizards and bards happy.
#5 lkwpeter Mar 09, 2015 8:59:28	Thanks for you quick answers. So as I suggested my group is doing this wrong. I was wondering, because the wizard (STR 8) always complained about failing melee attack rolls with his spells.
#6 mellored Mar 09, 2015 9:05:42	lkwpeter wrote:
#7 Kalani Mar 09, 2015 9:08:56	Ath-kethin wrote:
#8 ChrisCarlson Mar 09, 2015 9:09:24	..and any spell (even ranged) that requires the target make a save, instead of the caster making an attack roll, does just fine while in melee.   (Just for completeness sake.)