Does point-blank shot apply to spell damage?

[Ravingdork]

Purple Dragon Knight wrote:

Guys, just call it "Weapon focus (spells)" and be done with it...

I think an even broader name--one that incorporates all ranged touch attacks--be they from spells, spell-like abilities, supernatural or extraordinary abilities, would be much better.

[_Ozy_]

And I think an even broader name that includes all ranged attacks period, would be much better.

Kinda contradicts the meaning of the word 'focus' though don't you think?

[Canthin]

claudekennilol wrote:

James Risner wrote:

I just don't see this topic as widely confusing to people.

It's only not confusing to you because you spend time on the forums and know the intent. I'd be willing to bet my salary that those of us that spend our times on the forum out the total number of people that play pathfinder is a very small fraction.

For those that don't frequent the forums they only have the printed material--and the FAQs to a lesser extent.

** spoiler omitted **...

The "Weapons" section doesn't spell out everything (spell out, get it) it only talks about physical weapons. You can't make a Ray of Frost out of Mithril, so why would it be in the "Weapons" section that talks about weight, different damage for size, etc.?

I think even the most Lawyerly Rules Lawyer would agree that "Ray" IS valid for Feats, etc., but can't be disarmed like other weapons. Can't be sundered like other weapons. Can't be made in different sizes (Storm Giant's Ray of Frost still only does d3 damage). Can't be made out of special materials... and on and on. They are treated as weapons, but they aren't actual weapons, so they wouldn't show up in the "Weapons" section of "Equipment".

[James Risner]

claudekennilol wrote:

that spend our times on the forum out the total number of people that play pathfinder is a very small fraction.

Many groups have interesting dynamics, where the people who spend a lot of time on the forums steer the group in the direction of their interpretation of the RAW. Sometimes this agrees with developer guidance, sometimes it doesn't. That is ok too.

[Ravingdork]

_Ozy_ wrote:

And I think an even broader name that includes all ranged attacks period, would be much better.

Kinda contradicts the meaning of the word 'focus' though don't you think?

Not really. Most ranged touch attacks shoot out from your body (usually your mouth, eye, or finger) in a straight line towards your target.

That all sounds similar enough to me to count as one type of attack form.

[_Ozy_]

All splash weapons.

The alchemist bomb is a SU ranged touch attack.

These all have as much in common as all melee weapons. After all, you hold all melee weapons in your hands, and swing them at your opponent. And yet, weapon focus long sword is different than weapon focus scimitar. I think that's a pretty big discrepancy.