Attack Bonus questions and a Cleric question.


Rules Questions


Hey everyone, I have a couple of questions about character builds.

1. Does a cleric automatically get every spell for their level? Seems like a lot. (as opposed to other class that have to choose a couple of spells...like wizard)

2. Attack Bonus...does your AB add for ranged attacks or just melee? also if you go down to higher levels some bonuses have multiple number like +4/+2 etc...what is the other set of numbers?

Thanks again for all the help.

Cheers!

Sasha.


1. Yes you do get every spell but you have to choose which ones to prepare each day.

2. Add attack bonus to both ranged and attacks. The second set of attacks at higher levels is a second attack at a lower bonus when you take the full attack action. you do add your str bonus to melee attacks and dex bonus to ranged attacks so they often are different.


speedster_sasha wrote:
1. Does a cleric automatically get every spell for their level? Seems like a lot. (as opposed to other class that have to choose a couple of spells...like wizard)

You can choose from any spell on the Cleric spell list when preparing your spells for the day. You still have limited spells per day, though.

speedster_sasha wrote:
2. Attack Bonus...does your AB add for ranged attacks or just melee? also if you go down to higher levels some bonuses have multiple number like +4/+2 etc...what is the other set of numbers?

Your attack bonus with a melee weapon is the following:

Base attack bonus + Strength modifier + size modifier

With a ranged weapon, your attack bonus is the following:
Base attack bonus + Dexterity modifier + size modifier + range penalty

Unless specified otherwise, like the Weapon Finesse feat, or a few other special abilities.

When your BAB reaches +6, you can get one extra attack during a full attack action at BAB-5.

BAB 5: one attack at +5
BAB 6/1: one attack at +6, and one other attack at +1
BAB +11/+6/+1 three attacks, etc.

This does not include, and is in no way related to Two-Weapon Fighting.


speedster_sasha wrote:
1. Does a cleric automatically get every spell for their level? Seems like a lot. (as opposed to other class that have to choose a couple of spells...like wizard)

Yes, a Cleric gets all cleric spells at each level, but you will also notice that if you compare that list of spells to a Sorcerer/Wizard they deal less damage, have less damage options, and are mainly focused on buffs. This makes Clerics more likely to be a support caster as opposed to a blaster. Clerics also get a limited number of preparations per day, whic goes a way towards ameliorating this balance issue as they have to prepare every use of each spell in advance.

Also note, while a Wizard (same allotment of spell slots per day) only learns 2 spells/lvl, he is capable of learning every spell on his list, but will only pay to learn those spells he deems "useful". This roughly equalizes them on that front, seeing as Wizards have a larger variety of utility and damage spells which tend to deal more damage besides.

speedster_sasha wrote:
2. Attack Bonus...does your AB add for ranged attacks or just melee? also if you go down to higher levels some bonuses have multiple number like +4/+2 etc...what is the other set of numbers.

If you look closely, unless the creature is dual wielding (or flurrying in the case of a monk) the bonuses listed are always 5 points different. These bonuses are listed for the purposes of making additional sequential attacks with the full attack action (each at the aforementioned 5 point penalty from the prior attack).

Therefore, using your example, the character with a +4/+2 bonus listed in their BAB column gets 2 attacks with a full attack, one at +4 and the other at +2. If he only makes one attack though, that attack uses the best bonus (in this case the +4).

Normally these values will look more like a +6/+1 or +13/+8/+3, or something else along those lines (not the 5 point differences between sequential values), though in the creatures entry (or character's sheet) this will be altered some by modifiers from ability scores, weapon enhancements, and special attack routines such as two weapon fighting or flurry of blows.

Edit: Oh, and yes, BAB applies to ranged attacks as well as melee. Just note that not all ranged weapons can make more than one attack in a round. Generally speaking multiple attacks with a ranged weapon are limited to bows, light crossbows with the rapid reload feat, and thrown weapons with either the quick draw feat or the returning property, though there are other methods.

Hope that helps clarify things for you.


Master_Crafter wrote:
speedster_sasha wrote:
1. Does a cleric automatically get every spell for their level? Seems like a lot. (as opposed to other class that have to choose a couple of spells...like wizard)

Yes, a Cleric gets all cleric spells at each level, but you will also notice that if you compare that list of spells to a Sorcerer/Wizard they deal less damage, have less damage options, and are mainly focused on buffs. This makes Clerics more likely to be a support caster as opposed to a blaster. Clerics also get a limited number of preparations per day, whic goes a way towards ameliorating this balance issue as they have to prepare every use of each spell in advance.

Also note, while a Wizard (same allotment of spell slots per day) only learns 2 spells/lvl, he is capable of learning every spell on his list, but will only pay to learn those spells he deems "useful". This roughly equalizes them on that front, seeing as Wizards have a larger variety of utility and damage spells which tend to deal more damage besides.

speedster_sasha wrote:
2. Attack Bonus...does your AB add for ranged attacks or just melee? also if you go down to higher levels some bonuses have multiple number like +4/+2 etc...what is the other set of numbers.

If you look closely, unless the creature is dual wielding (or flurrying in the case of a monk) the bonuses listed are always 5 points different. These bonuses are listed for the purposes of making additional sequential attacks with the full attack action (each at the aforementioned 5 point penalty from the prior attack).

Therefore, using your example, the character with a +4/+2 bonus listed in their BAB column gets 2 attacks with a full attack, one at +4 and the other at +2. If he only makes one attack though, that attack uses the best bonus (in this case the +4).

Normally these values will look more like a +6/+1 or +13/+8/+3, or something else along those lines (not the 5 point differences between sequential values), though in the creatures entry (or character's sheet)...

Yeah that all makes sense now. Thanks!

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