RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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I have recently become aware that some effects (specifically haste and blessing of fervor) grant a dodge bonus to both AC and Reflex.
...Why are they both Dodge bonuses? In other places I've seen, dodge bonuses have only been to AC, while stackable bonuses to Reflex have been untyped. So why would these two spells add the "dodge" type to the Reflex bonus?
A little brain-gremlin is trying to convince me that obviously this is a sign that dodge bonuses in general are supposed to apply to both AC and Reflex by default. Which would be awesome, but isn't in the rules.
But it'd be nice if it was. *winks at developers*
*ahem* Anyway, like I said: anyone know why those two spells' bonuses to Reflex are typed as "dodge"?
anyone know why those two spells' bonuses to Reflex are typed as "dodge"?
I don't know the intent, but it makes sense. Haste makes you move very quickly, so quickly you can avoid some melee attacks, or even duck out of the way of a fireball.
By making it a dodge bonus, it stacks with other bonuses, but is still lost if you are denied dex (since you are unable to nimbly avoid danger).
anyone know why those two spells' bonuses to Reflex are typed as "dodge"?
Don't forget that dodge bonuses do stack with themselves. As Grick said, it's probably labeled so you do lose the bonuses if you are denied dex.
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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anyone know why those two spells' bonuses to Reflex are typed as "dodge"?I don't know the intent, but it makes sense. Haste makes you move very quickly, so quickly you can avoid some melee attacks, or even duck out of the way of a fireball.
By making it a dodge bonus, it stacks with other bonuses, but is still lost if you are denied dex (since you are unable to nimbly avoid danger).
Yeah, it does make sense. I guess maybe my real question is the reverse: why aren't other bonuses to Reflex typed as "dodge"? Why do I keep my bonus from Lightning Reflexes while I'm flat-footed? For that matter, why do I keep any bonuses to Reflex while flat-footed? Why, when unable to respond to danger, do I lose my DEX to AC but not my DEX to Reflex?
And relatedly, why don't other dodge bonuses (like, say, from the Dodge feat) apply to my reflex? An effect whose very existence represents my ability to nimbly avoid danger fails to actually help me nimbly avoid danger - provided that danger isn't aiming at me.
Why, I ask? WHY?!?!?!?
Yar!
WHY?!?!?!?
Because Reflex Saves are also meant to incorporate pure dumb luck, not just dodgy-ness.
~P
Yeah, it does make sense. I guess maybe my real question is the reverse: why aren't other bonuses to Reflex typed as "dodge"? Why do I keep my bonus from Lightning Reflexes while I'm flat-footed? For that matter, why do I keep any bonuses to Reflex while flat-footed? Why, when unable to respond to danger, do I lose my DEX to AC but not my DEX to Reflex?
Reflex saves (and saves in general) are used outside of combat occasionally.
DM: "You are walking down a 10' corridor. Suddenly the floor gives way, revealing a giant pit. Make a reflex save to avoid falling in".
Are you flat footed? You could argue the pit trap acted in the surprise round, I suppose.
Having Reflex bonuses be dodge bonuses would increase the difficulty of situations like this. Maybe it is a game balance thing.
For the record Haste also gives a Dodge bonus to reflex saves. Since Blessing of Fervor is basically the divine equivalent of Haste, but with caster benefits, well...there ya go.