In the bestiary, where do these numbers come from, for their attack?

[MattC]

Hey all,

So im looking at the wolf, it has melee bite: +2 (1d6 +1 plus trip)

What determins the +2 for the roll, and where does the +1 on the damage come from?

Edit: Is the +2 from their melee attack roll?
Thanks

[ShadowcatX]

Same as a PC, BAB, Str, etc.

[blahpers]

Let's take a look:

A wolf is an animal with 2 hit dice. According to their creature type description, animals use the medium (3/4) progression, giving the wolf a base attack bonus of +1 (compare with a 2nd-level rogue or cleric). Combined with their 13 Strength, that gives the wolf a total melee attack bonus of +2.

The damage is a straight 1d6 plus the wolf's Strength bonus, making it 1d6+1.

Hope this helps!

[Cheapy]

Same as a PC.

In this case:

The wolf has 2 HD. From this page, we see that Animal type has 3/4ths BAB. With 2 HD, that leaves it at +1 BAB.

The Wolf has a Strength of 13. That's a +1 bonus, so the bite attack is done at a +2 total bonus to hit.

Similarly, the damage is 1d6+1. The base damage of the bite is 1d6, and due to have a Strength of 13, it gets the +1 bonus to damage as well.

[MattC]

blahpers wrote:

Let's take a look:

A wolf is an animal with 2 hit dice. According to their creature type description, animals use the medium (3/4) progression, giving the wolf a base attack bonus of +1 (compare with a 2nd-level rogue or cleric). Combined with their 13 Strength, that gives the wolf a total melee attack bonus of +2.

The damage is a straight 1d6 plus the wolf's Strength bonus, making it 1d6+1.

Hope this helps!

Cheapy wrote:

Same as a PC.

In this case:

The wolf has 2 HD. From this page, we see that Animal type has 3/4ths BAB. With 2 HD, that leaves it at +1 BAB.

The Wolf has a Strength of 13. That's a +1 bonus, so the bite attack is done at a +2 total bonus to hit.

Similarly, the damage is 1d6+1. The base damage of the bite is 1d6, and due to have a Strength of 13, it gets the +1 bonus to damage as well.

Thanks, it has :D

Edit: Where does Natural Attack come in?
For example applying the skeleton template, for a medium creature, should be 1d4, not 1d6, this is for claw attack however?

Edit2: Found the above in universal monster rules

[Paladin of Baha-who?]

Natural attacks are just whatever natural attacks the designer of the creature wanted to give it. The standard damage dice for a given size and attack can be adjusted up or down as the designer wishes, as it notes in the monster rules: "Individual creatures vary from this value as appropriate."

[MattC]

One last thing: Skeletons - they have two natural attacks? claw: -3 (1d4+1) or 2 claws: +2 (1d4+2)

Why are these numbers different?

Thanks

[Charon's Little Helper]

MattC wrote:

One last thing: Skeletons - they have two natural attacks? claw: -3 (1d4+1) or 2 claws: +2 (1d4+2)

Why are these numbers different?

Thanks

Because if a skeleton attacks with a weapon, then they can only use one of their hands for a claw attack, and that claw attack becomes a secondary natural attack, giving it -5 to attack and only gaining 1/2 strength to damage. (All natural attacks become secondary if used along with a manufactured weapon.)

[Scavion]

MattC wrote:

One last thing: Skeletons - they have two natural attacks? claw: -3 (1d4+1) or 2 claws: +2 (1d4+2)

Why are these numbers different?

Thanks

The first is in consideration to the natural attack being secondary to making a full attack with a weapon. The Claw is an offhand/secondary weapon in this instance and so benefit less from Strength.(.5x Mod)

The second is simply using all the natural attacks the skeleton has instead of using a weapon that takes up one of it's hands. Primary natural attacks benefit fully from strength.

[MattC]

Charon's Little Helper wrote:

MattC wrote:

One last thing: Skeletons - they have two natural attacks? claw: -3 (1d4+1) or 2 claws: +2 (1d4+2)

Why are these numbers different?

Thanks

Because if a skeleton attacks with a weapon, then they can only use one of their hands for a claw attack, and that claw attack becomes a secondary natural attack, giving it -5 to attack and only gaining 1/2 strength to damage. (All natural attacks become secondary if used along with a manufactured weapon.)

Scavion wrote:

MattC wrote:

One last thing: Skeletons - they have two natural attacks? claw: -3 (1d4+1) or 2 claws: +2 (1d4+2)

Why are these numbers different?

Thanks

The first is in consideration to the natural attack being secondary to making a full attack with a weapon. The Claw is an offhand/secondary weapon in this instance and so benefit less from Strength.(.5x Mod)

The second is simply using all the natural attacks the skeleton has instead of using a weapon that takes up one of it's hands. Primary natural attacks benefit fully from strength.

Thank you :D