Weapon Finesse and touch spells

[Blake Duffey]

Weapon finesse applies to unarmed combat. Any thoughts on whether it would apply to a spellcaster using a touch spell?

A player I have wants to incorporate that into a build.

[LazarX]

Absolutely. tell your player full steam ahead.

[Abraham spalding]

touch attacks are considered a light weapon and as such are able to use weapon finesse -- this is covered in the combat section, and the magic section (iirc).

[Blake Duffey]

Thanks guys!

[Callarek]

Just remember that is for melee touch attacks, ranged touch attacks already use Dex.

[Blake Duffey]

Callarek wrote:

Just remember that is for melee touch attacks, ranged touch attacks already use Dex.

Agreed, I think the player is simply trying to build a PC that has a 'leg up' on melee touch attacks and felt that feat would provide it. Plus the dex bonus also applies to ranged touch, as you pointed out.

[skrahen]

If you are using HeroLab it does not count touch attacks as eligible for weapon finesse. technically, it doesnt say anywhere in the rules that melee touch attacks are eligible. Even though i believe everyone plays this way. also i have found indirect evidence in the form of the will-o'-wisp creature description from the bestiary that i think proves the intent of the game developers to have weapon finesse count towards melee touch attacks even if it doesnt specifically state it. I am not sure how it is ruled in pathfinder society games.

[Dragnmoon]

skrahen wrote:

If you are using HeroLab it does not count touch attacks as eligible for weapon finesse.

The latest update to HeroLabs changed that.