Hi,
Having now read through most of the two manuals in the Beginner Box, I'm about to embark on a test session playthrough with my son. I've rolled him up a human Barbarian character, but just want to check I've understood something right...
For a melee attack, his total 'To-Hit' roll would be:
1d20 + Race Attack Bonus(+1) + STR Modifier(+3) + Weapon Attack Bonus(Longsword, +4)
So... 1d20 + 1 + 3 + 4 = 1d20 + 8
Is that correct?
I know it sounds like a simple question, but in the list of available weapons shown in the Hero's Handbook it doesn't mention the +4 bonus on the Longsword (I got that from Hero Lab).
Thanks!
For a melee attack, you simply add Base Attack Bonus (+1) and STR (+3). Your Barbarian should hit at a +4.
I don't use Herolab, but I believe it went and calculated the attack bonus for you, which is why it's also +4. Only magical weapons come with their own attack bonus, a starting character at first level wouldn't have enough gold for a magic weapon. If your player finds one in a treasure, you would add the weapon's bonus to the +4.
Also, when your Barbarian uses his Rage ability, he will get +2, bringing his attack roll to a +6.
Thanks for the reply, I think I may see where the confusion has come from...
Hero Lab lists the Longsword as 'Melee, +4'. As you correctly state, this I believe is the +4 bonus of the BAB + STR modifier, just repeated and listed with the weapon in case more than one weapon is being held or in the event of using a shield etc.
However, I believe my correct calculation would be as follows:
1d20 + BAB + STR + Weapon Focus + Rage
e.g. 15 + 1 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 22
I am finding that the pregenerated character sheets are more confusing than helpful because they lack certain information that the handbooks tell you should be on there. For example, the Fighter pregen sheet lists the 'Weapon Focus (Longsword)' class feature, but fails to mention a +1 bonus. However, in the 'Weapons and Attacks' section it lists the Longsword with an attack bonus of +5 (I imagine this is BAB(+1) + STR(+3) + Weapon Focus(+1) ). The damage is then stated as 1d8+4. Where does the +4 come from? Hero Lab tells me the damage is 1d8+2. And in the 'Weapons' section of the 'Hero's Handbook', the Longsword is listed as 'Damage: 1d8'.
I've tied myself in knots now :(
Well, Rage increases Str, which affects Attack and Damage with your melee weapon.
So attack bonus goes from
d20+ 1(BAB)+3(Str)+1(WF) = d20+5
To d20+ 1(BAB)+5 (Str)+1(WF)= d20+7 Raging
Likewise, Damage would go from 1d8+3 to 1d8+5 (Raging)
or, if using your Longsword two handed 1d8+4 to 1d8+7 (Raging)
Thanks for the further clarificaion Samasboy1.
I think what is confusing me is that the same information is being repeated in more than one place on the character sheet and I keep thinking I have to add more bonuses than there actually are :)
Too bad...I'm sure your son would have been delighted to roll a 32 on his first attack roll :-)