So while I'm technically DMing a 4E game for one group, I'm now playing a character in another campaign, and in many respects it seems like playing a character is a totally different beast, and right now I'm struggling to understand how you're supposed to calculate damage.
For example, let's say I'm playing a 14th level character with a 22 Wis, and I have a power that says it deals 1[W] + Wis modifier damage. However, on my character sheet, I have two Wisdom modifiers. I have my base modifier (+6), and I have my level modifier (+13).
I looked under the rules for modifiers in the first chapter of the PHB, and it seems to suggest I should use the latter. However, the group I'm playing with thinks it should be the former. Which one is it?
Base modifier for damage rolls. You add any magic weapon enhancements on top of that. If you had a +3 weapon, you'd be doing 1W damage plus your base modifier, plus 3 for the weapon enhancement. If you have any feats or equipment that up your damage (Bloodsoaked Bracers give a +2 to damage against bloodied foes, for example) that stacks with the other bonuses.
Base modifier for damage rolls. You add any magic weapon enhancements on top of that. If you had a +3 weapon, you'd be doing 1W damage plus your base modifier, plus 3 for the weapon enhancement. If you have any feats or equipment that up your damage (Bloodsoaked Bracers give a +2 to damage against bloodied foes, for example) that stacks with the other bonuses.
Thanks.
So while I'm technically DMing a 4E game for one group, I'm now playing a character in another campaign, and in many respects it seems like playing a character is a totally different beast, and right now I'm struggling to understand how you're supposed to calculate damage.
That's quite the run on sentence I have there in my first post.
You speak to the self-proclaimed Queen of Subclauses.
If you use the character builder it will generally factor all that stuff in correctly and display the correct damage bonus for a given power. Generally.
Just to give a bit of an explanation for the difference between the two numbers... anytime a power calls for your ability modifier, you use the base modifier on its own. Any time you are called to make an ability check, you use the second modifier with the half-level bonus.
So there is a reason to have the two numbers, but... yeah, they don't do the best job making that clear in the rules themselves.
If you use the character builder it will generally factor all that stuff in correctly and display the correct damage bonus for a given power. Generally.
Yes, but if I use the character builder, then I won't ever learn how to do it. Also, I have to pay that monthly fee. Blech!
That is the downside of the CB. Apparently, one of things they are working to implement in the near future is a math sheet that shows how the CB has come up with its numbers. I look forward to that feature.
If you use the character builder it will generally factor all that stuff in correctly and display the correct damage bonus for a given power. Generally.Yes, but if I use the character builder, then I won't ever learn how to do it. Also, I have to pay that monthly fee. Blech!