To hit rolls for spells

[Madgrady]

Hey everyone. I am new to the Pathfinder system, and i have a question about how spells are cast.

Some spells imply that there is a chance of missing the target, so what do i roll, and what am i rolling against to determine if i hit?

Is it d20 + dex mod + BAB vs enemy AC?

Do creatures who are hit also get a saving throw chance to negate effects if listed on spell description?

Thanks!!!!

[Tiny Coffee Golem]

It will vary from spell, but most touch/ranged touch spells won't have a save also.

Your ranged "to hit" is 1d20 + Dex mod+Base Attack Bonus (BAB) versus their Touch AC. Touch AC doesn't add Armor/Shield Bonus.

Touch attack is similar but it's replace dex with strength mod

[Alitan]

A ray (or spell that requires you to make a 'ranged touch attack') is d20+Dex mod+BAB vs. AC.

If, however, you must make a 'melee touch attack,' substitute your Str mod in the above formula.

UNLESS you have the Weapon Finesse feat, which allows you to use your Dex mod on melee attacks for light weapons (as which unarmed strikes are classified), rapiers, and spiked chains of size appropriate to your own size...

If a spell requiring a touch attack of either variety allows a save, the target gets to attempt one (the majority of touch attack spells don't, but be sure to check each spell).

You may also benefit from feats such as Point Blank Shot (when making a ranged touch attack within 30' of your target) and Weapon Focus: Ray.

Hope this helps!

EDIT: TCG, you damn ninja...

[Madgrady]

Thanks!

[submit2me]

A lot of spells have saving throws. If under the spell description it says it has one (like Will negates or Reflex half), the DC save is always 10 + the level of the spell + your casting stat (Int, Wis, or Cha). The creature you are targeting then has to roll higher than that number in order to be fully affected by the spell.

[Madgrady]

So if a spell lists nothing about ranged or touch, but does list a saving throw, is it assumed to have automatically hit, and the target gets a chance to negate effects?

[Tiny Coffee Golem]

Madgrady wrote:

So if a spell lists nothing about ranged or touch, but does list a saving throw, is it assumed to have automatically hit, and the target gets a chance to negate effects?

Essentially yes.

[submit2me]

Yes. All touch attack spells require a roll to hit at all. All other spell effects usually occur the moment of casting them, but require a saving throw and to be within a certain range in order to work on the target. Most area effect spells (like fireball) will still deal at least half the normal damage, even if they succeed on the saving throw.

[Tiny Coffee Golem]

If you had any specific spells you were confused by you could throw those up for a more in depth explanation.

[Madgrady]

Its not a spell, but a spell like ability. The cleric fire domain ability firebolt lists no saving throw, but implies that it is possible to miss. Was unsure what i had to do to hit.

You guys have been fantastic, tons of great info, this has helped a lot.

[Tiny Coffee Golem]

Oh that. It's a ranged touch.

[Madgrady]

Excellent. Thanks again!!!

[Alitan]

@TCG:

I STILL want to know the requisite feats/spells/materials that go into crafting a tiny coffee golem...

[Tiny Coffee Golem]

Alitan wrote:

@TCG:

I STILL want to know the requisite feats/spells/materials that go into crafting a tiny coffee golem...

Start with one of these

add 350,000 GP worth of These (I prefer the brazilian flavor, but you can pick your own.)

Then pray for divine intervention, because we Tiny Coffee Golem's are a gift from the gods. ;-)

[Alitan]

Tiny Coffee Golem wrote:

Alitan wrote:

@TCG:

I STILL want to know the requisite feats/spells/materials that go into crafting a tiny coffee golem...

Start with one of these

add 350,000 GP worth of These (I prefer the brazilian flavor, but you can pick your own.)

Then pray for divine intervention, because we Tiny Coffee Golem's are a gift from the gods. ;-)

<.<

>.>

O.O

O.<