Addition and Multiplication order


Rules Questions


Apologies if this has been answered somewhere else, but I sure as heck can't find it anywhere...

If a value would be multiplied by one modifier, and increased by another, what order do you do it in?

The case in point - Fighter weapon training. My level 7 Weapon Master has a +2 to damage from his weapon training class feature. He takes Advanced Weapon Training (Trained Throw), which allows him to double this value on damage rolls. He also lucks out and gets some sweet Gloves of Dueling, which increased his weapon training bonus by +2.

Because the gloves specifically add to the training bonus at all times, and the AWT only kicks in for damage rolls, I'd be inclined to do them in the same order; so base +2, then AWT +2, then double for a net +8.

Anyone got any clarity?


Couple of things are in play.

First, all static +'s are multiplied.
Second, all bonus dice are not.
Third, a doubling multiple time is really just adding the original damage again, not multiplying it.

So, a sneak attack (lvl 1), critical (double damage) mounted attack (double damage) using Spirited Charge (double damage) with a +2 flaming lance would be:

1d8 + 2 + 1d6 and be double 3 times.

In total, it would be 4d8 + 8 + 1d6 (fire) + 1d6 (precision)

Base damage is 1d8 + 2 + 1d6 (fire) + 1d6 (precision)
Mounted Charge (with a lance) damage is 1d8 + 2
Spirited Charge damage is 1d8 + 2
Critical damage is 1d8 + 2

Add all those together for 4d8 + 8 + 1d6 (fire) + 1d6 (precision).

Hope this helps.


Morrigan wrote:

Apologies if this has been answered somewhere else, but I sure as heck can't find it anywhere...

If a value would be multiplied by one modifier, and increased by another, what order do you do it in?

The case in point - Fighter weapon training. My level 7 Weapon Master has a +2 to damage from his weapon training class feature. He takes Advanced Weapon Training (Trained Throw), which allows him to double this value on damage rolls. He also lucks out and gets some sweet Gloves of Dueling, which increased his weapon training bonus by +2.

Because the gloves specifically add to the training bonus at all times, and the AWT only kicks in for damage rolls, I'd be inclined to do them in the same order; so base +2, then AWT +2, then double for a net +8.

Anyone got any clarity?

So in your case, they are static bonuses. So, +2 +2 doubled would be 8. But if it were doubled again it would be 12, not 16.

This is because they are all added together, not multiplied:

Base +2 +2 = +4
First Double +2 +2 = +4
Second Double +2 +2 = +4

Total +4 +4 +4 = +12

Happy gaming!


Cheers!


Morrigan wrote:

Apologies if this has been answered somewhere else, but I sure as heck can't find it anywhere...

If a value would be multiplied by one modifier, and increased by another, what order do you do it in?

The case in point - Fighter weapon training. My level 7 Weapon Master has a +2 to damage from his weapon training class feature. He takes Advanced Weapon Training (Trained Throw), which allows him to double this value on damage rolls. He also lucks out and gets some sweet Gloves of Dueling, which increased his weapon training bonus by +2.

Because the gloves specifically add to the training bonus at all times, and the AWT only kicks in for damage rolls, I'd be inclined to do them in the same order; so base +2, then AWT +2, then double for a net +8.

Anyone got any clarity?

You add all the static bonuses together and then multiply.

Yes, Glove of Dueling have a really nice synergy with several AWT feats.


Volkard Abendroth wrote:
Morrigan wrote:

Apologies if this has been answered somewhere else, but I sure as heck can't find it anywhere...

If a value would be multiplied by one modifier, and increased by another, what order do you do it in?

The case in point - Fighter weapon training. My level 7 Weapon Master has a +2 to damage from his weapon training class feature. He takes Advanced Weapon Training (Trained Throw), which allows him to double this value on damage rolls. He also lucks out and gets some sweet Gloves of Dueling, which increased his weapon training bonus by +2.

Because the gloves specifically add to the training bonus at all times, and the AWT only kicks in for damage rolls, I'd be inclined to do them in the same order; so base +2, then AWT +2, then double for a net +8.

Anyone got any clarity?

You add all the static bonuses together and then multiply.

Yes, Glove of Dueling have a really nice synergy with several AWT feats.

Multiplying is a misnomer. You don't really do that and should not think of it that way.

Doubling with addition or multiplication:

3 + 3 = 6 (correct)
3 x 2 = 6 (correct)

However, doubling twice would be:

3 + 3 + 3 = 9 (correct)
3 x 2 x 2 = 12 (incorrect)

And doubling three times would be:

3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12 (correct)
3 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 24 (incorrect)

Think of it as adding in the original again rather than multiplying it. It will make your life a lot easier.


I was addressing the specific case in a concise manner without generating confusion.

Against my nature, but what the heck.

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