Attack bonus math questions

[knalty]

I see "finesse" builds on the boards, emphasizing dexterity, but I do not see Weapon Finesse selectable as a monk feat at level 1. What does the "finesse" signify, if not the feat?

After rolling up two monks, one with 18/10 str/dex and 10/18 str/dex, I note that your to-hit is calculated with Strength. But if your BAB is +1, why does the inventory screen show your to-hit as +2? Are all monk attacks considered to be as +1 weapons?

[Leyoni]

The feat is only available when you have a +1 BAB. Monks start with a 0 BAB. You can select it at L2 assuming you qualify. The 10/18 build will, the 18/10 will not.

[Angelus_dead]

After rolling up two monks, one with 18/10 str/dex and 10/18 str/dex, I note that your to-hit is calculated with Strength. But if your BAB is +1, why does the inventory screen show your to-hit as +2? Are all monk attacks considered to be as +1 weapons?

Qualifying for feats in DDO is based only on your permanent BAB, which for monks goes like 0, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6...

Monks gain a bonus BAB of +1 per 4 levels when using fist, staff, or kama, but since it goes away with other weapons it can't qualify for feats. The bonus BAB from a cleric's Divine Power spell also can't get you feats.

[knalty]

Qualifying for feats in DDO is based only on your permanent BAB, which for monks goes like 0, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6...

Monks gain a bonus BAB of +1 per 4 levels when using fist, staff, or kama, but since it goes away with other weapons it can't qualify for feats. The bonus BAB from a cleric's Divine Power spell also can't get you feats.

Fine, a bonus +1 BAB when using monk weapons. But why is it still *+2*?! even with the character using 10/18 strength/dex?!

[ShadowFox1978]

Fine, a bonus +1 BAB when using monk weapons. But why is it still *+2*?! even with the character using 10/18 strength/dex?!

Are you a halfling?

[knalty]

You mean that +1 for being small still shows up all the time? I could have sworn they squashed that bug before Mod 6. I feel stupid.

Thanks, though. This explains much.

[Leyoni]

Are you asking a different question or did we just fail to answer one?

The reason you don't have Weapon Finesse available to you at build time is because the bonus BAB is not counted when determining available feats. It is the raw BAB that applies, so the monk's starting BAB is 0.

Bonuses to BAB come from a variety of factors holding a kama is one factor. You might have a stance or other factor that is also influencing BAB. It is a bit of guesswork trying to find that out because we don't know much about your characters.

[knalty]

No, I think you answered the question. Halfling monk, with 10/18 str/dex, no weapons in hand, had a +2 bonus in the inventory panel. I just re-tested with a human monk, and the to-hit bonuses were all correct. x.x;

[Thanimal]

You mean that +1 for being small still shows up all the time? I could have sworn they squashed that bug before Mod 6.

Bug? Halflings really do get +1 on all attacks. (Maybe I am misinterpretting.)

[redoubt]

The finesse question is answered. For the bab question, look at the monk bonuses.

When centered, the monks get bonuses which make them equal to full bab classes. This is the most likely reason you are seeing +2 with a bab of +1.

[knalty]

Hey, nobody likes people who cast Raise Thread. <.<

But seriously, no. I did account for the full BAB when centered. It was the +1 bonus for being Small.