Dex or intl&chrisma if I wanna use ray spells?

[swordfish]

I am conflicted really. I need dex to hit but maybe I need intl&chrisma as well??

[.//slayer]

You are correct - Dex is for hitting, in addition to relevant feats like Point Blank Shot / Precise Shot.

Int or Cha (depending on your class) determines the DC checks for your spells and the number of spell slots available, so it should be your primary stat.

[Roknar]

Strictly speaking you only need to hit and have enough casting stat to cast the spell.

Then it depends on the spell if you get more out of it by stackign your casting stat.
spell penetration (like armour but for spells) is not affected by your stats, and you don't need it for ray spells either since they ignore it anyway. but the DC is....if it has an effect like say half damage if they pass fortidude you'll want more caster stat.

And as .//slayer mentioned, just having a higher stat means you get it use it more often.

[swordfish]

Originally posted by Roknar:

Strictly speaking you only need to hit and have enough casting stat to cast the spell.

Then it depends on the spell if you get more out of it by stackign your casting stat.
spell penetration (like armour but for spells) is not affected by your stats, and you don't need it for ray spells either since they ignore it anyway. but the DC is....if it has an effect like say half damage if they pass fortidude you'll want more caster stat.

And as .//slayer mentioned, just having a higher stat means you get it use it more often.

How come ray spells do not benefit from spell penetration? This does not make sense at all? In ray spells description it says affected by spell resistance.
I duno where you came up with this piece of information.

[Uzkin]

Most ray spells do indeed benefit from spell penetration. Only a few such as Snowball ignore SR.

[Yannir]

Originally posted by Uzkin:

Most ray spells do indeed benefit from spell penetration. Only a few such as Snowball ignore SR.

Conjuration spells bypass Spell Penetration. Because the missile that is conjured is considered a physical missile that the caster just summoned, not a product of magic like other schools.

[Uzkin]

Exactly.

[Immortal Reaver]

Note if you want to use Ray that also has CC (like Ray of Enfeeblement) you want both.

AoE damage - Casting Stat (INT,WIS,CHA - depends on caster, Empyrian Sorcerer uses Wisdom for example)
Ray/Ranged Touch - DEX
Melee Touch - STR
CC - Casting Stat (outside of few lvl 9th spells)

You can also cast True Strike to get +20 to attack and that makes 95% sure you hit your next Ray and Melee Touch even if you have low DEX/STR.

[swordfish]

Now am more confused some say ray spells benefit from penetration and others say no 🌝

[Uzkin]

No need to be confused. All rays that are affected by spell resistance (according to their description) do benefit from spell penetration. Most rays (such as Scorching Ray and Hellfire Ray) thus benefit from it, but a few (such as Snowball) do not since they ignore SR.

[ayrtep]

Int/char would be the normal choice. If you are worried about hitting your opponents I would still pump int/char, but also take 10 levels of Eldritch knight and the various Weapon focus and critical ray feats.

[Roknar]

Yea the spell will tell you if it requires spell resistance or not.

[swordfish]

Originally posted by Uzkin:

No need to be confused. All rays that are affected by spell resistance (according to their description) do benefit from spell penetration. Most rays (such as Scorching Ray and Hellfire Ray) thus benefit from it, but a few (such as Snowball) do not since they ignore SR.

The answer of the thread

[swordfish]

Thanks guys all of you for elaborating