Composite bows with a STR bonus are typically listed as such. But you can have a composite bow without a STR bonus. Could that be the case for the statblocks you mention?
It is still part of composite bows.
To craft a composite bow it's craft: bows, at a DC of 15 + 2x rating. So for a Strength rating of +3, it's 3x2=6+15=21 craft DC bows, to make it.
I am not familiar with the module, but can you back-calculate the pull of the bow from the stat block for the NPC?
If not, without a pull listed you could assume it is +0 strength pull. As listed in the book you can have a vanilla Composite Longbow. It has a better range than standard longbow.
Did you also check the treasure sections for the NPCs in question? I checked the original Burnt Offerings, and all the composite bows there were listed without STR rating in the offense section of the statblock, but with the appropriate STR rating in the treasure section.
Bruthazmus's bow was listed with +4 STR, Tsuto Kaijitsu's bow was listed with +1 STR, while Orik's and Nualia's bows were listed without STR bonus (but their statblocks also give no damage bonus to their ranged attacks, making +0 STR correct).
Edit: I also checked a more recent AP volume. Composite bows are also listed the same way in Tempest Rising (no STR rating listed in the offense section, but the appropriate STR rating listed in the treasure section). So if neither section lists a STR rating in RotRL:AE, then it's either a typo or a +0 bonus.
Composite longbows without strength are also usable from a mount, whereas longbows are not.
Doesn't make sense. Is that true?
Yes it is true that composite longbows can be used from horseback. The statement Howie made does not make sense (Composite longbows without strength).
Longbow, Composite: You need at least two hands to use a bow, regardless of its size. You can use a composite longbow while mounted.
- Gauss
This is why I made my party's halfling ( or gnome?) rogue a composite how with a rating of +0. He can still use it mounted, but it won't affect his attack roll due to having a low str compared to the rating. His Str is 10 toal, which is including a +2 str belt.
I wonder if you could make a composite longbow with a rating of -1. It would have a craft DC of only 13. :-D
/thread necro
Did this get resolved? It seems like all the composite bows in RotRL AE give the user max strength bonus to damage on attacks. Are we to assume that if they have an 18 STR that their composite longbow is a +4 STR since thats how its written up for their ranged attack?
Short version, its not listed in the gear section, should I make assumptions based on the statblock?
Sometimes stat blocks are not correct. If a composite bow is in a statblock and has damage that can come from no other source but strength then that composite bow is a composite bow of the appropriate strength.
Example:
A level 4 Fighter with a strength of 18 and the feat: Weapon specialization longbow has the following statline:
+1 Composite Longbow 1d8+7.
Assuming no other damage modifying feats/abilities exist then the longbow breaks down like this:
+1 enhancement
+2 weapon specialization
+4 strength bonus
In short: yes, if it is not listed in the gear section but it is in the statblock you need to either modify the gear section or the statblock to bring them in line with each other.
- Gauss
Its still a composite bow but you don't add any of the wielder's strength mod to damage.
In the case of the AE, based on the few statblocks I just checked, it seems like they've omitted the STR references that existed in the originals, while keeping the damage bonuses.
So I would assume the maximum rating for the wielder's strength is accurate (at least in cases with no other explanation).
ORIK VANCASKERKIN
In his stat block it doesn't seem to list any damage bonus from strength.
Ranged composite longbow +4 (1d8/×3)
Just like it is listed under equipment.
composite longbow with 20 arrows
BRUTHAZMUS.
In his stat block it does seem to list a damage bonus. From strength?
Ranged mwk composite longbow +7 (1d8+4/×3)
Yes, from strength because it is listed as:
masterwork composite longbow (+4 Strength) with 20 arrows
under equipment.
Karlgamer: Several composite longbows in the AE list a damage bonus, but don't list a damage bonus in the Equipment section (your Orik and Bruthazmus quotes must be from the original, since I'm looking at the AE right now and there's no STR bonus listed.
Page 26: Shalelu has a +1 damage bonus, but her bow is +1, so no STR-rating is correct.
Page 31: Tsuto has a +1 damage bonus, no STR-rating listed.
Page 52: Bruthazmus has a +4 damage bonus, no STR-rating listed.
Page 55: Orik has a +3 damage bonus, no STR-rating listed.
Page 62: Nualia has a +1 base damage bonus, no STR-rating listed.
That's all the composite bows in the first chapter of the AE; I don't feel like checking the rest right now.
Ah, My fault.
In that case unless you can find another reason for the damage bonus(i.e. deadly Aim) then I would make the bows +str equal to the bonus listed. Must have been an oversight.
Also thanks for the heads up because I'll be purchasing that soon and it's good to know that I might have to do a little work.
Urggh, I have long hated writing this out. Wish they just put it into poundage, with a bonus tied to that, a tiny box on the sheet explaining, with the damage bonus kept a long way from the bow's +1, +2 flaming or whatever.
E.g.
+1 50lbs longbow. To hit, +5, damage 1d8+2. Keep the +2 away from the +1!
Every 20 lb or so, add a bit of damage. 70= +2, 90= +3 and so on.
It would then lead to crossbows also having a damage bonus, because they can pump out bolts with a lot of force behind them.