Calculating an item's attack bonus


Rules Discussion

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

If a magical item triggers a spell when it is activated, but does not use the Cast a Spell activity, how it the attack bonus calculated?

For instance, "Activate [one-action] to [three-actions] (concentrate); Frequency once per day; Effect The tattoo casts a 4th-rank blazing bolt, with the rays emitting from your eyes."


It would be very nice if you named the item and provided the link.
Sun Sight is level 10, but it thankfully has counteract mod for the same action (+19), so use it.
Otherwise, they should've printed the modifier. It's an error.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
Errenor wrote:

It would be very nice if you named the item and provided the link.

Sun Sight is level 10, but it thankfully has counteract mod for the same action (+19), so use it.
Otherwise, they should've printed the modifier. It's an error.

Thank you. Whilst I understand that, I chose not to post the item so that I could learn the calculation method and apply it to any other cases.


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The answer is that it isn't calculated, Typically the item lists the modifier/DC but otherwise its a safe assumption that it follows the table for Magic Item DCs in GM Core.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

And therefore an attack bonus would be 10 less than the DC?


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Darrell Impey UK wrote:
And therefore an attack bonus would be 10 less than the DC?

Yes, exactly.

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