[RPG] Calculating Damage

pathfinder-1e

I could really use some help with someone who knows what all this actuality means. I'm trying to figure out what my damage would be with a regular attack and power attack and magical weapons. I have a MC magical greatsword with +1 weapon bonus, but what is that +1 to? To hit? To the dice roll (3d6 on a 2d6 base)? Just a straight bonus damage(2d6+1)? And the second part is using that to power attack, with my character level 6 i have enough BAB for the +2 bonus to be a +4 bonus on melee damage rolls, but what does a bonus on a melee damage rolls mean in this context? (And yes i know the bonus would be +6 with a greatsword power attack). I would really appreciate someone who actually understands this word jumble to explain it for me. Thanks 😛

Best Answer

damage = weapon base damage + (Strength modifier + power attack bonus)*number_of_hands_modifier + magic weapon bonus

  • weapon base damage: something like 2d6, 1d8, 1d10... It's written in the weapon's description.
  • Strength modifier: (Strength score - 10)/2 (rounded down)
  • power attack bonus: +2, increases by +2 for each +4 BAB (eg for a character with BAB+7 it would be +4)
  • number_of_hands_bonus: 1 if the weapon is one-handed, 1.5 if it's two-handed, 0.5 if it's wielded in your off hand
  • magic weapon bonus: a +X weapon gives you +X to your damages (this bonus also apply on the attack roll)

On top of that some special effects can add other damages, like sneak attack dice, weapon with the bane property or a Paladin smiting evil.

Example: Bob the goblin has a strength of 9 and a +3 one-handed scimitar. He's a lvl 1 Warrior and used the feat Power Attack.

If he hits, he will inflict 1d8(scimitar)-1(Strength modifier)+2(Power attack)+3(magical weapon) damages: he rolls 1d8 and add +4 to the result.

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