In the Pathfinder Core Rulebook says:
When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver, make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver.
So if i have a lvl 8 monk with 14 Str and 20 Wisdom with Weapon Focus (unarmed strike), improved trip & greater trip my CMB when i make trip attacks is
8(Maneuver Training) + 2(Str modifier))+2(Impr Trip) +2 (Greater Trip)
+1(Weapon Focus)= 15 and whatever i roll at the d20
Is that right?
If the same monk has the feat Intuitive Attack (Book Of Exalted Deeds) which adds the monk's Wisdom modifier instead of his Strength on attack rolls, what's his new CMB when i try to trip ?
8(Maneuver Train) +2 (Str) +2 (Impr Trip) +2 (Greater Trip) +1 (Weapon Focus)+5(Intuitive Attack) = 20 + whatever i roll at the d20?
If those above are wrong whats the right formula to calculate the CMB ?
The first one looks correct. The second one would not have the STR added in with the feat you selected. (It states in stead of not in addition to). In this respect the feat you listed is like agile maneuver but for wisdom.
If instead of Intuitive Attack i had Weapon Finesse and the monk has
16 Dex whats his CMB for trips?
8(Maneuver Train) +2 (Str) +2 (Impr Trip) +2 (Greater Trip) +1 (Weapon Focus)+3(Dex)= 18 ?
Because Intuitive Attack works like Weapon Finesse that gives you Dex Modifier at attack rolls. But if you take only Weapon Finesse and no Agile Maneuver is this bonus on attack rolls added to the CMB calculation?
Its little fustrating because Agile Maneuver uses Dex mod instead of Str mod for calculating CMB but if you dont have Weapon Finesse the bonus on attack rolls as the Pathfinder Core Book says might come from Str. I hope you get what i mean.
If he has Weapon Finesse and Agile Maneuver then whats the formula?
I really appreciate any help guys
It is either or on any of the feats that modify the primary ability when attacking. So STR or Dex or Wis, or Int. You never get to add both.
Per the RAW I would say you need a feat to modify an attack roll and a similar yet separate feat for a combat maneuver. So weapon finesse for attacks and agile maneuvers for combat maneuvers and you do not get to add them both. (Although a common house rule would be to combine these two feats into one IMHO as it seams excessive to me.)
All of your formulas above are basically correct except for the ones that have added in the bonus of two different abilities. You always use STR unless you have a feat that lets you use a different ability in place of STR. And when that is the case you get to add that abilities bonus once.
So to clarify
Level 8 Monk with 14 STR, 16 DEX, 20 WIS
With Inuitive Attack
8(Maneuver Train) +5(Wis) +2(Impr Trip) +2(Greater Trip) +1(Weapon Focus) = 18 + d20
With Agile Maneuver (or Weapon Finesse depending on the ruling)
8(Maneuver Train) +3(Dex) +2(Impr Trip) +2(Greater Trip) +1(Weapon Focus) = 16 + d20
Thanks Thazar you have been very helpful.
Combat Maneuver Bonus: Each character and creature has a Combat Maneuver Bonus (or CMB) that represents its skill at performing combat maneuvers. A creature’s CMB is determined using the following formula:
CMB = Base attack bonus + Strength modifier + special size modifier
When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver,make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver
The thing that still bothers me is if Weapon Finesse or Intuitive Attack are considered bonuses on the attack roll (in which case the CMB formula should have used Strength modifier twice) or completely replace the use of Strength as a modifier for calculating CMB (in which case feats like Agile Maneuvers are completely useless) or not considered bonus at all (in which case the description of CMB in the Core Book is not written well)
One last question: An enchantment bonus on a weapon is added for the CM check if the weapon can be used for trips or disarms or other CM checks?
Thanks again
I did a quick check on the PRD for some creatures.
A Large Fire Elemental has a listed CMB of +11. A BAB of +8, Str 14 (+2), Large (+1) It is also listed as having weapon finesse and a DEX 21.
So I think based upon that quick review it appears that my thoughts are along the correct line. But I have been wrong before so I certainly could be missing something.
I do think you get to add in enhancement bonuses from weapons if they would apply to the CMB such as with disarm. (You also get to add things like weapon training from a fighter.)
Checked this out myself too. Thanks man you've been of great assistance.
So the attack roll replacements are not taken into account for cmb
Problems & Questions SOLVED
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/extras/pathfinder-faq at 5.13 solves all problems