Combat and equipment question

[Michael Schroen]

Perhaps my friends and I are missing something, but according to our understanding, when we are in combat, we roll a 1d20 to determine damage if it's over the enemies AC. My question is how equipment plays into this. I'm playing as a level 1 rogue (premade in the beginner's box) and my Rapier has a 1d6+1 damage rating. How does this play into combat? We assumed that after initiative checks we rolled 1d6+1 to determine damage, but the core books (we think) is saying just to roll a d20. If this is the case, what is the point of even having weapons? Help?

[Joana]

Roll 1d20 + modifiers to determine if you hit the enemy. If your result is equal to or higher than the enemy's AC, then you roll the damage die given for your weapon + modifiers to see how many hit points of damage you deal.

From the Combat chapter:

Quote:

An attack roll represents your attempt to strike your opponent on your turn in a round. When you make an attack roll, you roll a d20 and add your attack bonus. (Other modifiers may also apply to this roll.) If your result equals or beats the target's Armor Class, you hit and deal damage.

....

If your attack succeeds, you deal damage. The type of weapon used determines the amount of damage you deal.

Damage reduces a target's current hit points.

[LovesTha]

Attacking is 1d20 + your attack bonus (BAB, strength, etc), this figures out if you hit.
Damage is determined by the weapon, eg 1d6 for the rapier plus your bonuses to damage (strength, etc)

[Michael Schroen]

Thanks for the quick reply! We appreciate it.