Is my character bugged?

[infinidibulum]

I have a lvl 7 character (5rog/2ftr) with a Str of 18 and the Anger's Wrath set, who typically uses +1 Ehanced weapons. By my calculations this should mean that his attack bonus should be +5 for levels, +4 for Str, +2 for AW and +1 for the enchanted weapon. 5+4+2+1=12

When I look at the "details" in the inventory screen, I (usually*) see this number. Today, when questing in the Cove and in the public adventuring area there (blanking on the name... I'll call it Scallywag's Haven), I consistantly saw the dice-roller animation indicating that I was attacking at +7,+7,+12,+17.

The way I undestand it, the first and second attacks for my character should be at +12 (standard base attack) and +17 for the third in the sequence and +22 for the fourth.

With the apparent attack bonus of +7 I was able to fare well against the Drow in the public area but I didn't do so well in the actual Cove quest on lvl 8, where I seemed to miss against Hobgoblins about 5 swings out of 6.

Is this a "feature" of Scallywag's Haven or am I misunderstanding how base attack works? Or is it a "feature" of the dice-roller? Or is my character just glitched?

Smuggler's Rest! I remembered it!

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*Inventory details occasionally gives me a funny number but that's a seperate issue.

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One hour later:

So I got a little impatient and decided to use the support system.

I posted a ticket with basically the same information that I've posted here. It was a little less wordy and focused on the details of what my AB should be and what my AB was showing up as.

I recieved a form reply saying that support wasn't responsible for giving advice on gameplay.

This upset me.

I don't want advice about how to increase my AB. I want to know why 5+4+2+1=7.

So I posted another ticket expressing as much.

To my surprise an Admin sent me a tell saying that they were looking into my issue.

I thanked them.

The Admin said that my account wasn't bugged, as far as they could see (later I started to wonder what exactly they could see).

We had a short dialogue, which was comforting, but when I asked why 5+4+2+1=7, they asked me if I was moving while attacking.

I suppose this was nice of the Admin, because they aren't supposed to be giving gameplay advice and informing me, "Moving while attacking is detrimental." falls into that category. I wouldn't have reported attacks at +7,+7,+12 & +17 if I was moving while attacking. As I understand it, the game doesn't give consecutive attacks +5 sequential bonuses if the player is moving around.

Also, when I asked what might confir a -5 AB, the Admin had nothing to say.

I used multiple weapons to test this. As I said, my character has two levels in Fighter, so it shouldn't be surprising that the character is proficient with longswords, warhammers and greatswords and bows.

It was wonderful that an actual person contacted me but I think that, at the very least, there should be some way to allow an Admin who is offering support to view the details of a character to confirm what the user (customer) is claiming. This Admin seemed to have nothing in their power other than to talk me down using their personal charm.

That said, the individual was nice enough. I felt a little sorry for them because they seemed to be constrained to a script or a cumbersome list of rules. I would have felt a little better if they could have said, "That's really strange. I understand how you would be annoyed. I'm sorry I can't figure this out for you. Maybe you should post a ticket tomorrow when somebody else is available (or some other option)."

I'd rather be asked to be patient and offered other options with a tone of sympathy than be sent a form message that suggests that I'm trying to scam advice from the designers.

Thusfar, I've been alternately blown off and told that there's nothing wrong without explaination.

[Falco_Easts]

Your attack bonus changes depending on where you are in your attack chain. The attack bonus you see on your inventory page is based on where you are up to in your attack chain from the last time you attacked something. Moving can also throw it skewiff.

[infinidibulum]

You are correct.
And yes, I have been confused by inventory page "details". I don't think it's a good idea to have situational AB in that format. Below is the math I've used to calculate my AB.

When not moving, a character should expect their attack bonus to be normal for the first two swings and increase by +5 for the third and by +10 for the fourth.

I believe attacking while moving is -4 AB.

I have been playing in Smugglers Rest, which means that I've been walking up to stationary targets and attacking them from a standing position all night long.

Rogue Level 5:
Lvl 1: +0 AB
Lvl 2: +1 AB
Lvl 3: +1 AB
Lvl 4: +0 AB
Lvl 5: +1 AB
Total for class: +3

Subtotal = 3

Fighter Level 2:
Lvl 1: +1 AB
Lvl 2: +1 AB
Total for class: +2

Subtotal = 5

Strength: 18
Total for Attribute: +4

Subtotal = 9

Anger's Wrath: +2

Subtotal = 11

Enchanted Weapon: +1

Total = 12

The dice roller consistantly indicates +7, +7, +12, +17

These numbers are produced when uneffected by enchantments and when not moving.

If someone can explain why these numbers might be generated do to some effect then I'd love to hear about it but just telling me that generally things get weird depending on what's happening doesn't really do me any good.

If SOMETIMES the dice roller generated numbers CLOSER to the ones that I expect, then I wouldn't be spending my time describing this very simple math in detail on the forum.

I'm not using a weapon that I'm not proficient with. My encumberance is 176 lbs out of 1500 lbs and there are no strange enchantments on my character.

I can't continue playing this character (whom I like) if I am permenently stuck with a -5 penalty to-hit.

[Arianova]

you simply misuderstood the games mechanics... your First attack = 12(-5) then you get full on second(17 ) but a -10 on 3rd and 4th hit (7) (4th attack is at same ab then 3rd) (you might have a +5 AB due to flanking which would give these results or else you'd be doing 7-12-2-2)

checked on my sorc : attack bonus+ 26 = first attack 21(-5), second 26 (full), 3rd and 4th = 16 (-10) which is normal

Smugler rest monsters are harder to hit and have higher saves so the fact that you have a hard time to hit is normal

[infinidibulum]

Well that's at least an answer.

I've never seen anything that indicates we get -5 on the first attacks but thank you for providing something for me to check up on. I suppose I can run the same test with my other characters and double-check the wiki.

[Impatiens]

Do you have Power Attack? Was it on?

[infinidibulum]

Did not have power attack on (don't have it). But thanks for the input.
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So, I did check with my other characters. I took them to Smuggler's Rest to keep it simple. Every other character met my caluclated AB. Only my Rog/Ftr is hitting at -5.

I haven't seen anything to corroberate the attack sequence that Arianova described.

Seems like a bug to me.

[Impaqt]

Link your character in MyDDO.

Exactly what weapon are you using?

Are you using a shield?

Are you Two Weapon Fighting?

I've never seen a character bugged where they took a -5 to hit for no reason. It just doesnt happen. Its always a misunderstanding on how the mechanics works. Arianova has no idea what hes talking about. there are no penalties in DDO. Hes mish moshing PnP rules that dont apply here.

[infinidibulum]

http://my.ddo.com/character/orien/moerdim/

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I didn't even think of this because I rarely use myddo! Thanks.

One would think an admin could at least use this tool but I suppose there'd be danger that they'd accidentally give me advice.

I'll admit, I'll feel silly if someone notices that I'm carrying a cursed item around.

[Impaqt]

http://my.ddo.com/character/orien/moerdim/

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I didn't even think of this because I rarely use myddo! Thanks.

One would think an admin could at least use this tool but I suppose there'd be danger that they'd accidentally give me advice.

I'll admit, I'll feel silly if someone notices that I'm carrying a cursed item around.

Are you in a Guild with a SHip that has a training dummy?

Might be the best way to verify things. I see nothing unusual about your character. Your calculations seem correct. You might actually be a little short on your calc as "Of righteousness" adds another +2 to hit against evil Creatures.

Training dummy test could shed some light. It doesnt move so its easy to stand firm. Open your combat window and your Inventory page. Take about 10 wacks and grab a screenshot. (CTRL-P) upload it to Imageshack or some other image host and post the link here.

I would take off your angers set and re-equip them. You might also want to go back to Korthos and grab a pair of Goggles of insight. +1 to attack goggles... since your not wearing anything right now there.

Nice Trolls Regeneration ring though..

one other thing.. Make sure Defensive Fighting and Combat Expertise are both OFF. Sometimes Defensive Fighting gets ON... Even if its not Hotbarred which gives you a -5 to hit... Go to your Feats and Drag CE or DF onto a Hotbar and Make sure theres no blue border.

Looking at your AC looks like CE is on OR DF and you have ship buffs or maybe a Barkskin pot going....

10
9 +1 Adamantine Breastplate(+3 Dex)
4 Bracers
5 +4 Light Shield
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28

yet you are at 35....

[infinidibulum]

I would take off your angers set and re-equip them. You might also want to go back to Korthos and grab a pair of Goggles of insight. +1 to attack goggles... since your not wearing anything right now there.

one other thing.. Make sure Defensive Fighting and Combat Expertise are both OFF. Sometimes Defensive Fighting gets ON... Even if its not Hotbarred which gives you a -5 to hit... Go to your Feats and Drag CE or DF onto a Hotbar and Make sure theres no blue border.

I actually have a pair of googles of insight in the bank. I just tossed some googles and haven't pulled the insight goggles out to see if they stack with AW.

I have a funny feeling that something like defensive fighting or combat expertise might be involved. I may have tossed the button off of my task bar a while ago and accidentally clicked it on. I never really use those.

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Two minutes later:

Q: What gives a -5 AB in DDO?

A: COMBAT EXPERTISE.

This also explains why my character seemed to rarely take damage against the Smuggler's Rest Mobs. I guess it has it's uses.

Thanks for your practical advice, Impaqt. I owe you one.