Touch attack?
- Thread starter Vortigern
- Start date
Sutek
Mongoose
Yes, but all of those very rational explanations just seem more apt to illicit a quick, defensive jab from me. (lol)
It's a game mechanic to make spell casters "not so weak". If I shout, "I'm gonna punch you in the eye," and take a step at you with my bare fist, I need feats to keep it from provoking any attacks of opportunity. It's as if Improved Unarmed Strike is built into spell casting.
It makes sense, right up until some lame-o NPC gets you with some kind of death touch spell...
Just a rule I'm not fond of. :wink:
It's a game mechanic to make spell casters "not so weak". If I shout, "I'm gonna punch you in the eye," and take a step at you with my bare fist, I need feats to keep it from provoking any attacks of opportunity. It's as if Improved Unarmed Strike is built into spell casting.
It makes sense, right up until some lame-o NPC gets you with some kind of death touch spell...
Just a rule I'm not fond of. :wink:
Upon reflection (and actually finding the ruling in my 2ed) I find it suitable. With a regular unarmed strike or grapple you need to actually, firmly, connect or establish a hold... which, if against an armed opponent, obviously exposes you to attack. With a touch spell, even just brushing your hand against some part of the enemy, even their shield or weapon, is enough. Not anywhere near the exposure to attack as a traditional martial strike I'd think.
Sutek
Mongoose
I say again, I just dislike the rule. A a touch spell as a non-threat makes little sense, but couple it with the touch AC and effects that deal direct damage or simply inflict a state (like Death Touch) and I think it's too much. Just my personal opinion, and that's in D&D.
In Conan, the spells are even scarier.
What I'd have done if it were me designing the system is make touch range spells a series of feats so that they can be delivered at later levels, plus I'd increase the number of ranged spells at lower levels, damage causing or otherwise. There were a lot taht got left out of 3.5 D&D that could have stayed, but for the focus on touch range attacks (IMNSHO).
Conan is a different story altogether. When sorcerer's can pull out your heart at 20 paces, touch range is almost a moot point. (lol)
In Conan, the spells are even scarier.
What I'd have done if it were me designing the system is make touch range spells a series of feats so that they can be delivered at later levels, plus I'd increase the number of ranged spells at lower levels, damage causing or otherwise. There were a lot taht got left out of 3.5 D&D that could have stayed, but for the focus on touch range attacks (IMNSHO).
Conan is a different story altogether. When sorcerer's can pull out your heart at 20 paces, touch range is almost a moot point. (lol)
I totally agree with Vortigern, although not perfct it can be rationalized that way. You only need mere brushing of your fingertips as opposed to having your hand on the guys neck and with within dagger range (I know its not perfect).
All in all there are a lot of nconsistencies in the rules, but it would totally suck having to burn a feat on Improved Unarmed Attack.
All in all there are a lot of nconsistencies in the rules, but it would totally suck having to burn a feat on Improved Unarmed Attack.
Clovenhoof
Mongoose
I'm bumping this thread to get some clarification on touch attacks. I find the rulebook is not worded very clearly.
Question 1: which attack bonus is used to carry out a melee touch attack? BAB or MAB?
Question 2: if the touch attack is a regular melee attack: does the sorcerer have to use his Str bonus or can he use his Dex bonus instad?
Question 3: the rules repeatedly say you can score critical hits with a touch attack. So what? What effect does a crit have?
By the way,
At least in Conan, a character usually gets a better defense against touch attacks. In D&D, a fully tanked-up fighter with an AC like 37 will still have a Touch AC of about 12. In Conan, you benefit from your Dodge bonus so you will have a ~50% chance of evading under normal circumstances.
Question 1: which attack bonus is used to carry out a melee touch attack? BAB or MAB?
Question 2: if the touch attack is a regular melee attack: does the sorcerer have to use his Str bonus or can he use his Dex bonus instad?
Question 3: the rules repeatedly say you can score critical hits with a touch attack. So what? What effect does a crit have?
By the way,
At least in Conan, a character usually gets a better defense against touch attacks. In D&D, a fully tanked-up fighter with an AC like 37 will still have a Touch AC of about 12. In Conan, you benefit from your Dodge bonus so you will have a ~50% chance of evading under normal circumstances.
MAB. Its a melee touch attack like any other.
Any character in Conan can use a finesse attack with applicable weapons. I can't see why touch spells wouldn't qualify.
Damaging spells with attack rolls are considered to have crit stats of 20/x2, so a critical hit with a touch spell will do double damage. This will, of course, only be relevant to spells which actually do damage!
Clovenhoof
Mongoose
Um yeah, by MAB I mean Magic Attack Bonus as opposed to Base Attack Bonus. ^^
Clovenhoof
Mongoose
Ah okay, I get it. Thanks. ^^
@Malcadon: those are both unarmed touch attacks.
@Malcadon: those are both unarmed touch attacks.
From Malcadon post it seems like a Touch Attack is indeed provoking an attack of opportunity in real life! :twisted:
In D20 life it's an entirely different matter. It seems the rules had to be bended to give the poor scholar some combat efficiciency.
Or maybe it's just the way Attacks of Opportunity are handled that stink...
In D20 life it's an entirely different matter. It seems the rules had to be bended to give the poor scholar some combat efficiciency.
Or maybe it's just the way Attacks of Opportunity are handled that stink...
Der Rote Baron
Mongoose
From Malcadon's post it seems that a touch attack provokes an attack AFTER the touch - if the tocuhed takes the opportunity.
Different thing if a scholar "fondles" you with a Death Touch ...
Different thing if a scholar "fondles" you with a Death Touch ...
