|
I'm new to GM'ing Pathfinder, and I'm trying to decipher a couple of the stats for some of the NPCs listed in a Pathfinder scenario.
For these offense stats:
"Melee shortsword +3 (1d6+2/19-20)"
"Ranged shortbow +3 (1d6/x3)"
1) Does the "Melee shortsword +3" mean an attack bonus, pre-calculated to include all bonuses such as Base Attack Bonus?
2) The "Melee shortsword +3" is to hit only, and is not a damage bonus, right?
3) Does the "19-20" for the melee shortshord mean "possible critical on a 19 or 20" and if the critical is confirmed, it's double damage?
4) Does the "x3" for the Ranged shortbow mean "possible critical on a 20, triple damage if critical is confirmed"?
Thanks in advance for any feedback. Below is the full statblock for the example I'm referencing.
---------------------------------------------------------------
=================================
BANDITS (4) CR 1/2
=================================
Male or female human fighter 1
LN Medium humanoid
Init +6; Senses Perception +2
---------------------------------
DEFENSE
---------------------------------
AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14 (+4 armor, +2 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 16 (1d10+6)
Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +1
---------------------------------
OFFENSE
---------------------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Melee shortsword +3 (1d6+2/19--20)
Ranged shortbow +3 (1d6/x3)
---------------------------------
TACTICS
---------------------------------
Before Combat At least one agent is on watch at all times. During Combat The agents try to flank when possible and only attack the bandits in force (trying to kill all of them) if the PCs haven’t given them a reason not to.
Morale If an agent is knocked unconscious, another will attempt to drag him from combat. If two are knocked unconscious, the others will attempt to retrieve their fallen comrades and flee from battle.
---------------------------------
STATISTICS
---------------------------------
Str 15, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 8
Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 16
Feats Dodge, Improved Initiative, Toughness
Skills Linguistics +1, Perception +2
Languages Common, Vudrani
Gear chain shirt, shortbow with 20 arrows, shortsword
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
|
I'm new to GM'ing Pathfinder, and I'm trying to decipher a couple of the stats for some of the NPCs listed in a Pathfinder scenario.
For these offense stats:
"Melee shortsword +3 (1d6+2/19-20)"
"Ranged shortbow +3 (1d6/x3)"1) Does the "Melee shortsword +3" mean an attack bonus, pre-calculated to include all bonuses such as Base Attack Bonus?
2) The "Melee shortsword +3" is to hit only, and is not a damage bonus, right?
3) Does the "19-20" for the melee shortshord mean "possible critical on a 19 or 20" and if the critical is confirmed, it's double damage?
4) Does the "x3" for the Ranged shortbow mean "possible critical on a 20, triple damage if critical is confirmed"?
Yep. You got it.
|
1. yes, but may not include some bonuses all the time depending, like Rage if they don't start off with rage.
2. right
3. correct
4. correct.
Most of the time the bonues include everything, but sometime there are certain abilites that the NPC can use during the combat that may change them, depending on the NPC.
|
What Chris and Dragnmoon said.
Also, pay attention to the rest of the stat block, particularly the tactics section. Sometimes it will say things like "Mary the Sorcerer drinks her potion of mage armor on the first round, this bonus has already been factored into her stats". Other times it will require you to drink the potion and then adjust the stats yourself. Typically though the module is pretty clear on which way things go.
By the way, the introduction of the Bestiary explains how to read a monster stat block. The relevant text is here in the PRD. :)
|
|
By the way, the introduction of the Bestiary explains how to read a monster stat block. The relevant text is here in the PRD. :)
Cool. Thanks for the link!