How are ranged touch attacks (/ rays) calculated ?

[Schutzengel]

Hello all,

Id like to start a character that makes heavy use of ranged touch attack- (/ ray-) type of spells. I know that chance to hit for these spells is calculated as a dexterity-based ranged attack against touch armor, but ...

1. Since Ive already hit by touching the enemy, can the enemy still make a saving throw ? If not, I could remove some feats (Spell Focus, Elemental Focus) that increase DC difficulty from my list of feats to aquire.

2. Since Ive already hit by touching the enemy, can the enemy still use spell resistance to avoid any damage ? If not, I could remove feats (Spell Penetration) that reduce enemy spell resistance from my list of feats to aquire.

Sincerely.

[InEffect]

Dex+BAB+AB bonuses(if any) against Touch AC

1. Only if the spell requires secondary roll. Most ray spells don't

2. Yes if allowed by the spell. Most ray spells are still subject to SR. SR itself can be safely ignored all game as there are only a handful SR enemies.

[Schutzengel]

Thanks. It seems the DC from the primary attribute and feats are not as important for such spells and they can also be attained through enhancements to the primary attribute etc. I think I can, at least, safely ignore the Element Focus feats.

SR may only be a minor part at the start of the game but I think there are many late-game enemies that have SR as well as in the upcoming DLC RNG dungeon. There are only 2 feats that lower SR so I will be playing as an elf character, which gets another SR feat and a Sylvan Sorcerer which also gets such a bonus.

If I understood the rulebook correctly, an average caster has a 50% chance to pierce enemy SR per ray fired at the enemy and each perk adds another 10% chance to pierce. My elven Sylvan Sorcerer will thus end up at 90% chance to pierce SR, as compared to the 70% non-elven + non-fey caster. Elfs may not be the best choice for Sylvan Sorcerer but the lower Charisma + DC can be reattained from many items etc, while the SR feats cannot.

[Owl]

is the touch AC different from the melee AC different from the ranged AC different from the skill check?

[Mork]

Originally posted by Owl:

is the touch AC different from the melee AC different from the ranged AC different from the skill check?

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1945697616

1. Normal ac is targeted by weapon attack, like a sword or with a bow range attack. Fist, claw, etc are considered weapon.

2. Touch ac, generally targeted by melee touch, range touch(ray), bomb, etc.... The description will always say 'touch' range or touch melee attack.

Skill have not impact on ac except for mobility 3 with fighting defensively.