[RPG] How do magic weapons affect attack and damage rolls for weapon or implement powers

dnd-4e

I've pored over the PHBs, the Rules Compendium, and similar questions at this site and other forums and I'm still confused about how magical weapons enhancements/properties interact with character powers and proficiency. Specifically, I've got two circumstances I need advice on.

First case: An invoker in my group has a +1 Staff of Earthen Might. Since her class is proficient with staffs, I know that any implement power she uses this with will apply the +1 to her attack and damage rolls with such powers. I get that.

Am I correct, though, that the +2 proficiency bonus for this staff (as well as the +1d6 critical damage) only applies when she smacks something with the staff as a basic melee attack (which she would qualify for because she is proficient with simple melee weapons)? I want to make sure that these other weapon stats apply to the weapon when used as a weapon only and not when it's used as an implement.

In addition, does anyone that is holding this weapon qualify for the property bonus (+2 to Athletics/Str ability checks when on earth or stone) and the daily action (slowing enemy on hit)? Or do they have to be proficient in staffs as an implement?

Second case: We recently got Aecris, the +1 magic longsword from H1 Keep on the Shadowfell. The fighter doesn't want it nor does our halfling barbarian (the fighter has built around bonuses from wielding greataxes and the barbarian is a whirling slayer and benefits from having an off-hand weapon).

However, we have an Eladrin psion in the group that was eyeing it because although she can't use it as an implement, she is proficient with longswords (due to her race, not her class), and it would boost her attack modifier for her basic melee attack. In this case, she would get the +3 attack bonus when she stabs with the sword, but she wouldn't get the +1 enhancement bonus to attack and damage rolls, correct? From what I gather, the enhancement bonus is wasted on her since as a psion she's only proficient in staffs and orbs – is that right? Would she qualify for the daily action of gaining a healing surge when dropping an undead enemy to 0 hp without proficiency?

If this is the case, what good is the +1 enhancement bonus on this weapon, then? 'Longswords' aren't listed as an implement proficiency for any class I'm familiar with.

Edited to summarize what I think my primary questions are:

  • What are the requirements to benefit from a magical weapon's enhancement bonus (i.e. like a weapon that doesn't generally double as an implement, like a +1 magic sickle)?
  • What are the requirements to have access to the same magical weapon's properties or powers, if any?
  • If a character can benefit from a magical weapon's enhancement bonus, what power keyword(s) will this bonus be applied to – 'weapon' or 'implement'?

Thanks in advance!

Best Answer

There are three issues here, I think: Keywords, the two different kinds of proficiency, and permission by omission.

But before I go into those, a word: As always there are explicit features/feats/enchantments which break the rules, and that's why we call D&D an "exception-based" system: it deals in rules which apply universally unless (until) exceptions are made, so there is no need to enumerate the possible exceptions. We simply assume the rule unless told otherwise in a particular instance.

Keywords

If a power has the weapon keyword, and only if the power has the weapon keyword, does a weapon enchantment (enhancement bonuses and other features) apply to that power. Ditto with the implement keyword and implement enchantments.

Proficiency and the Proficiency Bonus

"Proficiency" means that you've had training in the use of a weapon or implement, but mechanically it means totally different things whether you're talking about a weapon or an implement.

Weapon Proficiency and the Proficiency Bonus

Proficiency with a weapon means that you can add that weapon's "proficiency bonus" to attack rolls. Only weapons have proficiency bonuses, they only apply to powers with the weapon keyword, and they have nothing to do with whether enhancement bonuses can be applied (see below for that bit).

Implements, Enhancement Bonuses, and Permission by Omission

You need to be proficient with an implement in order to add its enhancement bonus to attacks and damage with implement powers. You do not need to be proficient with a weapon in order to add its enhancement bonus to attacks and damage with weapon powers, but you don't get its proficiency bonus to the attack roll. (In either case, you can only add the enhancement bonus of one item at a time to an attack unless you have a rules exception which says otherwise.)

I arrived at this conclusion because the magic implement rules say you need to be proficient for the enhancement bonus, but the magic weapon rules don't. Permission by omission is sloppy, but has solid precedent.

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