Ranged help?

[Cameron Mitchell 624]

I've tried searching but no luck and im new to pathfinder (bought the beginner box and core rulebook)

I'm making a few characters quickly with the PCGen program v6.04 and was wondering how ranged works exactly. I've got a lvl 4 halfling with the following stats

Str:12
Dex:19
Con:10
Int:10
Wis:7
Cha:17
BAB: +4
Ranged attack bonus: +9 (from 4 bab,4 from dex mod and 1 from size)
now when i get to the long bow stats it has a range bonus column it goes
30ft = +11 110ft = +10 220ft = +8 etc.
what does this range bonus mean? do i add it to my +9 for attack roll?
also when i roll damage 1d6+1 do i also add my STR mod (+1)?

also with spells do they automatically cast when not threatened and do they need to make an attack roll? e.g. acid splash or burning hands

thanks!

[Gauss]

First, I am going to make a couple assumptions.
1) Based on the attack bonus you stated I am guessing your Bow's attack bonus is actually +10 due to the bow being either a Masterwork bow or a +1 weapon or perhaps you have the feat "Weapon Focus".

2) You have the feat Point Blank Shot. This is based on the higher attack bonus up to 30ft.

So based on that we have the following:

30ft: Up to 30 feet you have Point Blank Shot so you add +1 to attack and damage. This means your attack bonus is +11 up to 30' away.
110ft: This is the first range increment. Up to 110ft you have no penalty to attack (total of +10).
220ft: This is the second range increment. Up to 220ft you have a -2 penalty to attack (total of +8).

Damage:
The damage for your bow is 1d6.
You do not add your strength bonus unless you are using a composite bow and then the bow must be rated for that much strength.
Example: A Composite [+1str] Shortbow is rated for a strength modifier of +1. Anything over +1 is wasted. If you have less than +1 strength you have an attack penalty of -2.
Also, as previously mentioned Point Blank Shot will add +1 damage if the target is up to 30ft away.

Regarding your spells question:
If you are being threatened when you cast a spell then you can avoid the Attack of Opportunity (AoO) by casting defensively. However, this will ruin the spell if you fail the check. If you choose to take the AoO then you will need to make a check to avoid the spell being ruined if you get hit.

Some spells will indicate if they are a melee or ranged attack (or melee or ranged touch attacks). Those you need to make attack rolls.
Acid Splash uses a ranged touch attack.
Burning hands does not use an attack roll but does require a saving throw.

[Cameron Mitchell 624]

Gauss wrote:

First, I am going to make a couple assumptions.

1) Based on the attack bonus you stated I am guessing your Bow's attack bonus is actually +10 due to the bow being either a Masterwork bow or a +1 weapon or perhaps you have the feat "Weapon Focus".

2) You have the feat Point Blank Shot. This is based on the higher attack bonus up to 30ft.

So based on that we have the following:

30ft: Up to 30 feet you have Point Blank Shot so you add +1 to attack and damage. This means your attack bonus is +11 up to 30' away.
110ft: This is the first range increment. Up to 110ft you have no penalty to attack (total of +10).
220ft: This is the second range increment. Up to 220ft you have a -2 penalty to attack (total of +8).

Damage:
The damage for your bow is 1d6.
You do not add your strength bonus unless you are using a composite bow and then the bow must be rated for that much strength.
Example: A Composite [+1str] Shortbow is rated for a strength modifier of +1. Anything over +1 is wasted. If you have less than +1 strength you have an attack penalty of -2.
Also, as previously mentioned Point Blank Shot will add +1 damage if the target is up to 30ft away.

Regarding your spells question:
If you are being threatened when you cast a spell then you can avoid the Attack of Opportunity (AoO) by casting defensively. However, this will ruin the spell if you fail the check. If you choose to take the AoO then you will need to make a check to avoid the spell being ruined if you get hit.

Some spells will indicate if they are a melee or ranged attack (or melee or ranged touch attacks). Those you need to make attack rolls.
Acid Splash uses a ranged touch attack.
Burning hands does not use an attack roll but does require a saving throw.

Your assumptions are completely correct, my bow is a small composite longbow+1 and i do have the point blank feat.

Thank-you so much for the quick response and thorough answer :)

Cheers

[Gauss]

Is your bow Masterwork or +1 Magic? Is it [+1 Str]?
The format is:
"+X/Masterwork" Small Composite Longbow [+X Str]

Example: +1 Small Composite Longbow [+1 Str] would have a +1 attack/damage bonus from being magic and a +1 damage bonus from Strength (if you have a 12 or higher strength bonus).