Hi everyone,

I need a question answering about ranged weapons. Firstly, I know that slings dont amplify the damage using strength bonuses (except for the sling of seeking from Bernard in the copper cornet), and I'm fairly sure that cross-bows dont (thats what the heavy cross-bows for), so my queastion is this...

Does strength affect to hit (i know this is mainly determined by DEX) and damage bonuses for short bow, long bow or composite long bow? If not, is there any particular bow that does allow strength to be added to the damage (like the sling of seeking)?

Thanks

*bump*

Anybody who knows? I am interested to find out too.

Well not according to sit down D&D, there was rules that allowed Composite bows to add strenght bonus, (cause they were specifically made for that characters strenght and some sort of flufflike that).

but as for Baldurs Gate I honestly am not too sure either, your best bet to find out is probably to get some stupidly strong character with one skill point in bow to shoot at things (that are not immune to regular arrows) and see what kind of damage you do. if you are only doing between 1-6 then it probably does not.

Actually I just checked out the book

Strength damage bonuses apply to melee weapons and hurled missile weapons (dagger and axes)

The advatage to missile weapons is the higher Rate of Fire that you can get.

Cheers for the replies,

I'm wanting to know because I want my solo archer to hit not only as fast as possible but as *hard* as possible. I've already got her to deal between 15-21 damage per hit, attacking 5 times per round and shes on level 19. She's using the Strong Arm bow from the adventurers mart (requires 19 STR) because this is the only bow in SoA + ToB which hits for +3 damage (this is the max damage provided by any long bow, short bow and comp long bow). Heartseeker only hits for +2, and to hit bonuses really ins't an issue for high level archers. I'm wanting max damage bonuses which is why this bow is staying with me as my primary weapon [img]smile.gif[/img] . I started a game with a quickly generated elven archer and gave her 15 STR (no dmg bonus). Using shadow keeper, I raised the strength to 25 (14 dmg bonus), and using a composite long bow, they both hit within the same damage range. It doesn't look like there is any way to make archers hit harder.

Another question. The gauntlets of weapon skill lower the THAC0 for melee *and* ranged attacks (which is why I prefer using them to the bracers of archery). When I finally get hold of the gauntlets of expertise or extradorianry specialisation, will the +2 damage be applied to missile weapons. If the THAC0 bonus applies, when surely the damage bonus will. It will be cool is is does.

Hey Dundee,
I read in a post of yours that you were concerned about taking on the Ravager in ToB with a solo archer, as you need +4 weapons to hit and can only get +3 arrows. Yes the sling of Everard is a good work around, but a level 13 archer get 2 melee attacks per round. Using the gauntlets of extraordinairy(sp) specialisation and boots of speed means they can make 3 melee attacks per round (4 if you dual wield which you can still effectively do with an archer). This is a little more acceptable as it's the most attacks any ranger/paladin could make anyway. In fact, all you're losing now in melee combat is +2 damage and +1 to hit which hardly matters at higher levels. Then, greater whirlwinds will save the day. I for one am now looking forward to this battle. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 11-20-2001: Message edited by: Jim ]</p>

According to 2nd Edition AD&D rules. (Page 13 Player's Handbook)
.....
"The damage adjustment also applies to missilie weapons, although bows must be specially made to gain the bonus; crossbows never benefit from the user's Strength."

Although, I thought I saw a crossbow in BGII that allows for a Str. modifier. I may be mistaken though.

(Page 99 Player's Handbook)

Ability Modifiers in Missile Combat

Attack roll and damage modifiers for Strength are always used when an attack is made with a hurled weapon. Here the power of the character's arm is a significant factor in the effectiveness of the attack.

When using a bow, the attack roll and damage Strength modifiers apply only if the character has a properly prepared bow (see Chapter 6:Money and Equipment). Characters never receive Strength bonuses when using crossbow or similar mechanical devices.

Thanks Mitro,
So I wonder if any of the bows in SoA + ToB allow for this strength bonus. I don't remember seeing any, but if anyone knows of one then please let me know.

I've just worked out the theoretical max damage an archer can dish out: (I use the grand mastery patch to make grand mastery the same as in BG1 and Icewind Dale - it was lowered for balance reasons, but since I'm soloing, I think it can be justified!)
***** in long bow gives +5 damage
Strong Arm bow gives +3
Gauntlets of extra. spec give +2
Archer damage bonuses @ lvl 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 23, 28, 33 = +9 damage.
1-6 damage from arrows.
Max damage = 25 per hit [img]smile.gif[/img]

I am being creamed with my solo Archer! :( I just completed SoA with my solo Sorcerer( now in ToB), but I am dying like heck with my Archer... ...

I cannot even fight 2 Trolls at the same time! I am soooo tempted to lower the difficulty to Core, but I want to stick to Insane... ... :(

And my Archer's melee still sucks... 1 and a half attacks per round at the moment. Currently level 10, trying to survive... somehow, someway... ...

PS: IIRC, Gauntlets of WE only applies to melee weapons, not that there is any better alternatives in SoA.

Bracers of Archery? +2 THACO bonus? Rightttt...

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Jim:
Thanks Mitro,
So I wonder if any of the bows in SoA + ToB allow for this strength bonus. I don't remember seeing any, but if anyone knows of one then please let me know.
<hr></blockquote>

No problem. I don't think there is, but there are plenty that add additional damage.

SoA:
Composite Longbow : +1 Damage
Composite Longbow +1 : +1 Damage
Composite Longbow +2 : +1 Damage
Ripper +2 : +2 Damage
Heartseeker +3 : +2 Damage
Strong Arm +2 : +3 Damage
Mana Bow +4 : +1 Damage
Tuigan Bow +1 (shortbow) : +1 Damage

ToB:
Composite Longbow +3 : +1 Damage