I am playing with a group of relatively new players aside from one and the DM, and while another character and I seem to be contradicting each other, we have both been told we are right. What we don't understand is what bonuses are added to an attack roll to see if the blow will hit, and what is added to a damage roll to see how much damage is dealt.
In this example, here are my character's stats and weapon of choice:
- Initiative modifier: +5 = +5 [dexterity]
- Attack (handheld): +6/+1 = 7 [base] -1 [strength]
- Weapon Finesse: +12/+7 = 7 [base] +5 [dexterity]
- Attack (unarmed): +6/+1 = 7 [base] -1 [strength]
- Attack (missile): +12/+7 = 7 [base] +5 [dexterity]
Light Crossbow [1d8, crit 19-20/x2, range inc 80 ft., 4 lb, piercing]
As I'm wielding a crossbow, would I add my attack missile bonus (+12) to my attack roll to see if I get past the AC, or to the damage roll to see how much damage I deal?
My apologies for the confusing question. I'm afraid I don't have anything other than online resources, which don't seem to cover this specific detail of where to add the attack bonus.
Best Answer
The listed missile attack bonus is used to determine if you hit something; it's added only to your attack rolls. The damage rolls are determined seperately. For a crossbow, by default the damage is only the flat roll from the weapon.
You add the magical enhancement bonus, if it has one, to both the attack roll and the damage.
It's even weirder for bows. When shooting with a bow, you also attack with the listed missile attack bonus, but you have to use your strength modifier on the damage roll if it is negative. Which means with a bow your character would deal -1 damage because of low strength, but a high strength character would not add his strength to the damage roll unless it's a special (expensive) Composite Bow.
Hope this helps clear it up a little.