Beginner Box Utter Novice - Weapon Focus question

[diemythtruth]

Hello, I've searched some posts but couldn't find a basic explanation for the Weapon Focus feat in the Beginner Box. My son has a Dwarf Fighter with a Weapon Focus = Battleaxe but we don't understand this text:

"PREREQUISITES: Attack Bonus +1
BENEFIT Pick one weapon you can use, such as battleaxe, heavy crossbow, light mace, or longsword. You gain a +1 bonus on your attack rolls with that type of weapon. You can choose this feat multiple times, but you must pick a different weapon each time you choose the feat. Fighters get this feat as a class feature automatically at 1st level. If you are a fighter and you choose this feat, you must choose a different weapon than the one you selected with your 1st-level fighter Weapon Focus."

I'm completely lost as to what's supposed to happen here during a series of turns. Could a patient pathfinder please explain it? Thank you so much. The game is tons of fun regardless.

[Cattleman]

You have +1 to hit with the weapon you selected. You can't change this. If you take this feat more times, you can select different weapons, but not the same one.

This doesn't have any "real time" effect other than the "Attack" (To Hit) roll; so you don't declare it or "use" it or anything; just modify your sheet with the appropriate bonus.

[diemythtruth]

Thank you Cattleman. So the dwarf can go like this?

Attack rd. 1 - Battleaxe +1 to attack roll due to Weapon Focus
Attack rd. 2 - Crossbow +1 to attack roll due to Weapon Focus
Attack rd. 3 - Battleaxe +1 to attack roll due to Weapon Focus
Attack rd. 4 - Crossbow +1 to attack roll due to Weapon Focus

..or are rounds 3 & 4 not allowed since he used the feat already in Rd 1 & 2 for those weapons?? And if this is the case, in the next room/encounter I imagine it resets so he can start at #1 again? Thanks.

[Val'bryn2]

It's set when you choose the feat, so if you chose battleaxe, all battleaxe attacks are at a +1, if you take it again for crossbow, you get a +1 to crossbow attacks. You don't choose round to round, you choose when you get the feature.

[Cattleman]

diemythtruth wrote:

Thank you Cattleman. So the dwarf can go like this?

Attack rd. 1 - Battleaxe +1 to attack roll due to Weapon Focus
Attack rd. 2 - Crossbow +1 to attack roll due to Weapon Focus
Attack rd. 3 - Battleaxe +1 to attack roll due to Weapon Focus
Attack rd. 4 - Crossbow +1 to attack roll due to Weapon Focus

..or are rounds 3 & 4 not allowed since he used the feat already in Rd 1 & 2 for those weapons?? And if this is the case, in the next room/encounter I imagine it resets so he can start at #1 again? Thanks.

Just to give an example since you seem confused. You chose Weapon Focus (Battleaxe).

Attack rd. 1 - Battleaxe +1 to attack roll due to Weapon Focus
Attack rd. 2 - Crossbow
Attack rd. 3 - Battleaxe +1 to attack roll due to Weapon Focus
Attack rd. 4 - Crossbow

but that can also be

Attack rd. 1 - Battleaxe +1 to attack roll due to Weapon Focus
Attack rd. 2 - Battleaxe +1 to attack roll due to Weapon Focus
Attack rd. 3 - Battleaxe +1 to attack roll due to Weapon Focus
Attack rd. 4 - Battleaxe +1 to attack roll due to Weapon Focus

or

Attack rd. 1 - Greatsword
Attack rd. 2 - Greatsword
Attack rd. 3 - Greatsword
Attack rd. 4 - Greatsword

Notice that only the battleaxe gets the buff; but it always gets the buff.

[diemythtruth]

Thank you Cattleman (and Val'bryn2). Those examples make sense. And sorry to belabor the point but this is what an eager 8-yr. old will undoubtedly ask me: does the battleaxe and only the battleaxe retain the feat forever, until e.g. the dwarf dies? Very new to RPGs in general, apologies.

[CrystalSeas]

Yes, when you select the feat, you also select the weapon that the feat applies to.

As long as the character exists, attacking with a battleaxe will give that character a +1 bonus to the attack roll.

The feat applies to any battleaxe being wielded by that character. It is specific to 'any battleaxe', not just the one currently in the dwarf's possession.

When you get a chance to select a new feat, then you might select that feat again, but you must choose a different weapon to apply it to.

[diemythtruth]

I think I see now - thank you CrystalSeas.

[daydark]

Wait, now I'm confused. Since when do Fighters get free weapon focus?

[CrystalSeas]

daydark wrote:

Wait, now I'm confused. Since when do Fighters get free weapon focus?

Since you started posting in the Beginner Box forum, discussing the rules in the Hero's Handbook..

There are some differences between those rules and the CRB that you may not be familiar with.