New player on the scene here. I'm having a hard time understanding touch attacks.
I know that they target the touch AC, which is AC without armor. But what does the caster roll? As in, what do they add to their d20 when they make a touch attack roll?
Thanks
Depends on what type of touch attack it is.
If it s a ranged touch attack they use Base Attack Bonus + Dex bonus + 1d20
If it is just a normal touch attack it is Base Attack Bonus + Str bonus + 1d20.....Though if they have weapon finesse feat they can use dex instead of str.
It depends. Melee touch attacks add BAB + Strength modifier to the d20 roll, unless the caster has Weapon Finesse (in which case they add Dexterity mod instead). That's really lousy for most wizards and doesn't even make that much sense, but it is what it is. On the other hand, if you miss, the "charge" is usually retained, so you can try again with another attack. Example, you attack with a Vampiric Touch spell and miss. Highly annoying, but the mage can try to touch the target again next round and the spell will still go off. However, any charge held will dissipate as soon as you cast another spell.
Ranged touch attacks (rays and spells modified up from touch to ranged with the Reach Spell feat) add BAB + Dexterity modifiers to the d20 roll. That's usually gonna hit. However, if you miss, the spell is wasted.
Casters can (but usually don't) take the feats Weapon Focus: Ray or Weapon Focus: touch. That'll give them another +1 to hit.
Thanks all. That helps a lot. For the rules lawyers in my group... Where in the Core Rulebook is that found? Page number will be plenty.
Don't have my Core Rulebook with me. It's in the Combat Section under Casting a Spell. This page in the PRD. Look for Touch Spells in Combat.
I realize this is ever so slightly off topic, but why is a melee touch attack based off strength anyway? Dex seems to make so much more sense.
I realize this is ever so slightly off topic, but why is a melee touch attack based off strength anyway? Dex seems to make so much more sense.All melee attacks are strength based. You need something special, like Weapon Finesse, to alter that.
I know that it is the rule, I am just trying to figure out why it is this way. Every time I read a touch spell this question pops up in my head. If they are holding your wrist or you are trying to force a shield out of your way I can kind of see it, but if normally I am trying to touch someone with my hand that doesn't want me to, it seems to require my agility and not my power.
Wipe a booger on your finger and see what it takes to wipe it on someone else :P do this against someone who has things in their hands and the it becomes even more obvious.
