Hi Friends! I'm fairly new to the PFRPG system still, and I want to be sure I'm treating spell-casting rolls correctly.
My main question is in regards to making attack rolls (or NOT making them) for spells. As I understand it now, here are some basics. Please correct me if I'm wrong!
1. Some spells don't require any dice rolls at all aside from damage, such as Acid Splash or Magic Missile. There's no "attempt" and no save, it simply happens and causes X damage.
2. Some spells require a saving throw on the part of the target, such as Entangle or Charm Person. There's no roll at all on the part of the caster.
3. Saving Throws (when possible) are always against a set number of the caster. No rolls on the caster are required.
4. Every spell with a possible save is calculated as 10 + Spell Level + Caster's Relevant Ability Bonus (WIS, CHA, INT).
E.g., A Druid with a WIS of 2 casts Vine Strike on a target. The target would then have to make a REF save of DC 14 (10 + 2 + 2, or, 10 + spell level + Druid's WIS) to negate it.
5. Unless it is specifically classified as a Touch or Ranged Touch attack, there's no attack roll for damaging spells. Casting something like Scorching Ray or Daze simply happens, and it is up to the target to save (when possible).
6. It is possible to have a spell with a Touch attack roll required by the caster, then a Save roll required by the target. (I can't find an example of this; is it possible?)
Thank you in advance!! -Cyg
Hi Friends! I'm fairly new to the PFRPG system still, and I want to be sure I'm treating spell-casting rolls correctly.
My main question is in regards to making attack rolls (or NOT making them) for spells. As I understand it now, here are some basics. Please correct me if I'm wrong!
1. Some spells don't require any dice rolls at all aside from damage, such as Acid Splash or Magic Missile. There's no "attempt" and no save, it simply happens and causes X damage.
This is actually very rare. For magic missile, it's true, but for acid splash you need to make an attack roll. "You must succeed on a ranged touch attack to hit your target. The orb deals 1d3 points of acid damage."
A ranged touch attack is simply a ranged attack (so it uses Dexterity, as if you were throwing a knife) against touch AC.
2. Some spells require a saving throw on the part of the target, such as Entangle or Charm Person. There's no roll at all on the part of the caster.
Yes, although the caster may have circumstantial rolls to make, such as a roll to penetrate spell resistance and/or a concentration check to actually cast the spell.
3. Saving Throws (when possible) are always against a set number of the caster. No rolls on the caster are required.
Yes.
4. Every spell with a possible save is calculated as 10 + Spell Level + Caster's Relevant Ability Bonus (WIS, CHA, INT).
... plus situational modifiers. For example, there are abilities that give you +1 DC for specific spells or specific types of spells.
E.g., A Druid with a WIS of 2 casts Vine Strike on a target. The target would then have to make a REF save of DC 14 (10 + 2 + 2, or, 10 + spell level + Druid's WIS) to negate it.
Assuming "WIS of 2" means a wisdom bonus of 2, which corresponds to an actual Wisdom score of 14 or 15.
5. Unless it is specifically classified as a Touch or Ranged Touch attack, there's no attack roll for damaging spells. Casting something like Scorching Ray or Daze simply happens, and it is up to the target to save (when possible).
Again, scorching ray requires a ranged touch attack as per spell.
6. It is possible to have a spell with a Touch attack roll required by the caster, then a Save roll required by the target. (I can't find an example of this; is it possible?)
Yes, it's possible -- disintegrate is one such.
mostly right
1 acid splash is a touch attack
2-4 are fine.
5 scorching ray requires a ranged touch attack, because it is a ray
6 it certainly is possible, mostly rays like disintegrate
Edited - reading fail
1. Correct for magic missile and spells like that; acid splash actually does require an attack roll.
2. Correct.
3. Correct.
4. Correct, in the general case. Things such as the Spell Focus feat can also modify the saving throw DC. As for your example, I presume that you mean a Druid with a WIS modifer of 2. If you did, then yes, the example is correct.
5. Correct, though Scorching Ray does require an attack roll. Things like Fireball, and other area of effect spells, do not require any attack rolls except if specified in certain cases in the spell.
6. Yes. An example of this would be cure/inflict wounds spells when used to damage targets.
1. Thank you! Did not read far enough down the spell listing.
2-4. Awesome. Yes, a WIS modifier/bonus of 2 for the Druid.
5. Didn't read enough of the spell again.
6. Awesome.
Additional question: Do all Ranged Touch attacks take DEX into consideration? So a Scorching Ray roll would be 1d20 + DEX against the targets Touch AC to hit?
That seems like these spells have a very high chance to hit, but I guess it's balanced by the fact that there are only X number of spells usable per day in most cases.
1. Thank you! Did not read far enough down the spell listing.
2-4. Awesome. Yes, a WIS modifier/bonus of 2 for the Druid.
5. Didn't read enough of the spell again.
6. Awesome.Additional question: Do all Ranged Touch attacks take DEX into consideration? So a Scorching Ray roll would be 1d20 + DEX against the targets Touch AC to hit?
It's an attack roll, so it's 1d20 + Dex + BAB + other modifiers against touch AC.
And, yes, touch AC is typically very easy to hit, even for a low-BAB class like a wizard.
That seems like these spells have a very high chance to hit
Depends. Some creatures have high touch AC (especially the smaller ones). And you get penalties for cover and firing into melee, which can make it quite hard.
1. Thank you! Did not read far enough down the spell listing.
2-4. Awesome. Yes, a WIS modifier/bonus of 2 for the Druid.
5. Didn't read enough of the spell again.
6. Awesome.Additional question: Do all Ranged Touch attacks take DEX into consideration? So a Scorching Ray roll would be 1d20 + DEX against the targets Touch AC to hit?
It's an attack roll, so it's 1d20 + Dex + BAB + other modifiers against touch AC.
And, yes, touch AC is typically very easy to hit, even for a low-BAB class like a wizard.
Ah, yes, plus BAB. Thanks!