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Ok my search skills have failed me and I'm looking for some clarification for the Studied combat rules.
With a keen eye and calculating mind, an investigator can assess the mettle of his opponent to take advantage of gaps in talent and training. At 4th level, an investigator can use a move action to study a single enemy that he can see. Upon doing so, he adds 1/2 his investigator level as an insight bonus on melee attack rolls and as a bonus on damage rolls against the creature. This effect lasts for a number of rounds equal to his Intelligence modifier (minimum 1) or until he deals damage with a studied strike, whichever comes first. The bonus on damage rolls is precision damage, and is not multiplied on a critical hit.
An investigator can only have one target of studied combat at a time, and once a creature has become the target of an investigator's studied combat, he cannot become the target of the same investigator's studied combat again for 24 hours unless the investigator expends one use of inspiration when taking the move action to use this ability.
At 4th level, an investigator can choose to make a studied strike against the target of his studied combat as a free action, upon successfully hitting his studied target with a melee attack, to deal additional damage. The damage is 1d6 at 4th level, and increases by 1d6 for every 2 levels thereafter (to a maximum of 9d6 at 20th level). The damage of studied strike is precision damage and is not multiplied on a critical hit; creatures that are immune to sneak attacks are also immune to studied strike...
How exactly does this work. I can't tell with the wording.
Is it case 1: you study a target and then gain the bonuses on all attacks, but have the option of making one of your attacks a studied strike, at which case it ends the studied combat bonuses.
or is it case 2: You study a target and then gain the bonuses on that target until you hit them once, at which point the studied strike goes off and hence ends the studied combat.
Thanks in advanced.
Rules are worded so that it really does sound like there's an extra attack roll being made as a free action, but for only the precision damage. I guess like twisting the knife? But I don't think there's an extra attack, phyrespike. I think your character successfully hits for 1d6+STR+Studied Combat bonus, and then trades the studied combat bonus for an additional Xd6 on that same attack.
Your studied combat doesn't end until after you have dealt studied strike damage. As all damage is dealt together, and not in stages, I am struggling to see how you wouldn't get your studied combat bonus.
