Weapon finesse and strength Based attacks

[Pharothan]

If you are using Weapon Finesse does it change the type of attack from str based to Dex based?

I am asking because if you have something that benefit str based attack ( such as strength surge from the strength domain), would it still add to an attack using weapon finesse since the melee attack is still str based but you are just replacing the bonus with Dex.

Thank ahead of time.

[Gandal]

Weapon Finesse lets you skip STR bonus for DEX bonus when adding to attack rolls (attack only, damage roll are still based on STR)

So if you rise your STR you'll only add to damage, not to attack, as long as you use Weapon Finesse or so i think

[Starglim]

You add your DEX bonus to your melee attack roll rather than your STR bonus. You still use your STR for damage rolls.

However Strength Surge gives you a bonus to melee attacks. It does not increase your Strength or require the attack to rely on Strength (nor does it add to your damage).

[Grick]

Pharothan wrote:

I am asking because if you have something that benefit str based attack ( such as strength surge from the strength domain)

Oddly, it has nothing to do with strength.

Strength Surge (Sp): "As a standard action, you can touch a creature to give it great strength. For 1 round, the target gains an enhancement bonus equal to 1/2 your cleric level (minimum +1) to melee attacks, combat maneuver checks that rely on Strength, Strength-based skills, and Strength checks."

Note: That affects ALL melee attacks. Not just ones that rely on strength. So you get a +1 enhancement bonus to melee attacks. That will stack with weapon finesse. Oddly, it'll also stack with Bull's Strength and Cat's Grace. They're both enhancement bonuses, but to different things. The Animal's Stat enhancement bonus to strength/dex does end up increasing your attack, but not directly like Strength Surge does.

The downside is that will not stack with the enhancement bonus to attacks granted by a Masterwork (or magical) weapon.

Another downside is that a Cleric doesn't get much direct benefit from the ability. Since it only lasts one round, and takes a standard action to activate, in most cases she will only get the attack bonus on AoOs. (It will fade at the beginning of her next turn, before she can make any normal attacks)