Do spellcasters need Dex?

[BlackDragon]

I'm a bit confused, honestly... I used to play D&D, but it was a while ago and a different edition besides. It seems like SOME spells require a Dex-check to hit, and some don't, but they don't actually TELL you which is which, unless I'm just not seeing it? I rolled up a Sorcerer as my main (which made for a rather interesting party for most of the prologue - Sorc-Sorc-Bard is NOT what I'd call a balanced party. :P) but I'm having trouble hitting anything, ever, with anything that isn't a touch-range spell. Is it because I don't have spectacular Dex, or just because I'm still low-level? Makes me loathe to actually USE any of my highly-limited spell-slots...

Also, what does 'Master-Crafted' actually do on weapons? I probably COULD figure that out by digging into my old D&D books, since I doubt it's changed much, but I figure anyone who can answer my main question can probably answer this too... ;)

[belangf]

You need dex for any spell that requires a ranged touch attack on a target, such as acid arrow. You also need the feats Point blank and Precise shot, otherwise you get a high penalty on your attack if the target is involved in melee.

Masterwork weapon simply give you +1 to attack, but are not magical. I think masterwork armor has a lower penalty for skill checks.

[Esxhaton]

Ranged touch spells require a ranged attack to hit, hence dexterity is important for them. Similarly normal touch spells require a hit roll involving your strength bonus.

Masterwork weapons have +1 to hit modifier. You can see that if you right click on the weapons and select info. They provide descriptions for their special properties.

[1ttffsse]

yeah you need dex for the reason that before endgame you will not have enough aoe nukes in your arsenal to be effective without basic bread and butter ranged touch attacks (your cantrips and ray spells and ENERVATION-best ranged touch attack (level 4 necro).

I generally start my spellcasters as human for the extra feat to immediately get point blank and precise shot feats which will you will need to hit stuff with ranged attacks, and the bonus wiz/sorc feat goes in spell focus: conjuration (hello grease, pits and stinking cloud).

stats are str 7 (min), dex 16 or 18 (18 if you drop wis and cha/int to 7), con 14 (so you don't get one shot), wis 7, 19 int (sage sorc/wiz) 7 cha or reverse for normal sorc ie 19 cha 7 int.

those are min-maxed. if you don't want int/wis at 7s and prefer balanced stats drop dex to 16 from 18 and raise wis/int.

[BlackDragon]

Ah, good to know - so basically, any spell that is described as 'Ranged Touch' has a dex-roll, and any that ISN'T, doesn't. Though... the bit about the basic Touch-range spells is weird. I've had a lot more luck hitting with touch-spells than ranged-touch-spells so far, even though my dex is higher than my strength... I guess my high Charisma's playing in somewhere too.

As for compatible feats, is there any that'll remove that crippling -4 'firing into melee' modifier? Or, wait, is that what Precise Shot is for? I've seen Point Blank offered as a possible feat, but not Precise Shot (yet), so I haven't had a chance to read its description...

(Oh, and thanks for that bit about clicking 'Info' after right-clicking on an item to get full descriptions... I hadn't noticed that particular button!)

[1ttffsse]

Originally posted by BlackDragon:

Ah, good to know - so basically, any spell that is described as 'Ranged Touch' has a dex-roll, and any that ISN'T, doesn't. Though... the bit about the basic Touch-range spells is weird. I've had a lot more luck hitting with touch-spells than ranged-touch-spells so far, even though my dex is higher than my strength... I guess my high Charisma's playing in somewhere too.

As for compatible feats, is there any that'll remove that crippling -4 'firing into melee' modifier? Or, wait, is that what Precise Shot is for? I've seen Point Blank offered as a possible feat, but not Precise Shot (yet), so I haven't had a chance to read its description...

(Oh, and thanks for that bit about clicking 'Info' after right-clicking on an item to get full descriptions... I hadn't noticed that particular button!)

Yeah you need to take point blank shot to unlock precise shot and take precise shot. so that is why human with the extra feat at start is very good race for spellcasters.

[belangf]

Originally posted by BlackDragon:

... that crippling -4 'firing into melee' modifier? ...

That's also why you have better success with your touch attacks: these don't have a penalty. By the way touch/ranged attack bypass physical armors, so the roll is easier than it would be with a weapon.

Your Charisma doesnt affect the attack roll, but it affect the difficulty for your spells that allow a Saving throw.