Noob question

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

DravinClaw

Mar 22, 2011 15:23:10
Im still new to the rules in 3.5 and it seems i keep forgeting what to add to get my damage can anyone help me out? it seems that being the tank i would cause more damage granted my roles arent the greatest but even when they are it seems the damage is minamal 

My stats are

15th Level Human barbarian  and use a +2 Battle ax  which does 1D12 damage 
my full stats are here www.danddweekly.com/players/Mason15.pdf
#2

Krusk

Mar 22, 2011 16:09:37

You will want to use that axe two handed, for more damage. Even if you can use it one handed.


you deal 1d12 + 2 ENchantment +10 Strength (1.5*Str mod for using it two handed) +2 vs undead.


So 1d12 + 12 (+2). If you rage that damage increases. Also take the power attack feat ASAP. You will get -1 to hit for +2 to damage per -1 taken. (Feasably +30 damage per swing at level 15)

#3

DravinClaw

Mar 22, 2011 16:33:37
Thanx that explains alot I knew I should have hit that cleric with more than 13 points of damage...lol I guess it does make some sence since I did throw my ax at him from a distance.
#4

Igfig

Mar 22, 2011 18:11:25
In general, you add your Strength modifier and your weapon's enhancement bonus to your damage rolls.

In your specific case...

Well, I'm not quite sure what your damage should be, because the numbers on your sheet don't make sense.  You appear to have a belt of giant Strength +3 (which doesn't usually exist), but in your Strength line you've got a +8 enhancement bonus listed instead.  Is the belt +3 or +8?

Also, you've added 21 and 8 to get a Strength of 14, which I'm pretty sure isn't how math works.  Was that supposed to be 21 + 3 = 24?

Your AC suggests that you have a shield and armour, but I don't see either on your equipment list.


Assuming that you have a base Strength of 21, a belt of giant strength +3, and a shield, your damage with your axe would be

1d12 (base) + 7 (Strength modifier) + 2 (weapon enhancement bonus) = 1d12+9

It's true that this is pretty low.  There are a few ways to increase this:


  • Being in a barbarian rage grants a +6 bonus to your Strength score, for a total of 30; this gives you a Strength modifier of +10, for a total gain of 3 more damage.

  • Wielding a weapon in two hands lets you apply 1.5 x your Strength modifier to damage, instead of 1x.  This gives you 3 more damage, or 5 if you're raging.

  • You should have seven feats, but I only see three on your sheet.  Filling in the rest of those feats will help quite a bit. If your DM is very nice he might also let you trade out your existing feats.  (Point Blank Shot and Far Shot are only useful for ranged weapons, of which you have none, and Toughness's 3 hit points are pretty irrelevant when you already have over 200.)  Power Attack alone will make you hit much harder--up to +10 damage!  (At the expense of accuracy, mind you.)  Weapon Focus and Improved Critical are also good.  If you have access to non-core books, I can think of a bunch of great feats you might like:

    • Leap Attack (from Complete Adventurer) lets you double your extra damage from Power Attack if you charge at somebody and jump on them.

    • Shock Trooper (from Complete Warrior) has a bunch of neat effects, one of which makes Power Attack reduce your AC instead of your attack roll when you're charging.

    • Combat Brute (from Complete Warrior) has a bunch of neat effects that give you extra damage after you charge.

    • Reckless Rage (from Races of Stone) gives you an extra -2 AC and an extra +2 Strength and Constitution when raging.



  • Your axe, while great against undead, doesn't do much against anything else.  Talk to your DM about finding a way to power it up further with a special ability like Flaming (+1d6 fire damage) or Holy (+2d6 damage vs. evil creatures).  Perhaps an epic quest to the Upper Planes to have it reforged by an aspect of Moradin?


Also, note that your attack bonus should be something like +24, or +27 when you're raging.
#5

DravinClaw

Mar 22, 2011 18:35:54
no that +8 is all from  my armor www.danddweekly.com/players/masonarmor.j... and I dont have the belt any more I forgot to take it off on the pdf my other stats are in my notebook belive me we fought alot of undead and have a vampire in the group so it will help if he gets out of line