Dungeon Crawl: The Training Years

[Rizban]

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That's right. You win initiative and go first.

[Vaille]

(Unfortunately, I'm out of the know when it comes to combat rules, as well. If I'll need my Player's Handbook in any way, then I won't be able to begin for a few days. My handbook will most likely be out of my hands until Saturday.)

[Rizban]

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Okay then. I'll wait until you have it and can reference the rules.

[Vaille]

(All right, I have it back now. I read up on the combat section, but I still don't have a full grasp on it. From what I can see, the best course of action would be to draw my weapon (which is a move action?) and at least begin to move toward the spider. But it sounds like the latter will give the Spider an attack of opportunity, right?)

[Rizban]

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You provoke an AoO only if you move through a threatened square or leaving one. Just entering a threatened square does not provoke an AoO.

You might want to draw your weapon as a move action then ready a standard action to attack the spider as soon as he comes within range.

[Vaille]

As my eye catches the spider, I draw my rapier and prepare to attack.

[Rizban]

The spider charges at you, but his bite is blocked by your armor.

You technically get your readied attack before his bite, but it misses either way. So, make your attack, then it'll be your turn again.

[Vaille]

Attack Roll - (1d20+2)[16]

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And for future reference, should I also roll for damage in the same message (with it being disregarded if the attack fails) to save time, or is it up to the DM?

[Rizban]

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You usually roll both at once and just disregard if it misses.

[Vaille]

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All right. Now I'm a bit confused here. Obviously I roll a 1d4 per my Rapier. It also says I need to add my strength modifier which, due to Weapon Finesse, is replaced with my Dexterity Modifier. That would mean I roll a 1d4+4. I'm not sure what Total Attack Bonus (+4) is. Is it simply referencing that I need to add a +4 to my 1d4 per my Dex Modifier?

If that's correct...
Damage - (1d4+4)[8]

[Rizban]

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Weapon Finesse only replaces Str with Dex on the attack roll, nothing else. It's still Str to damage. So, you rolled a 4+Str.

[Vaille]

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In that case, damage equaled 5

[Rizban]

The spider bites at you and misses.

[Vaille]

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Would I gain any benefit from moving to the side or behind the spider? I see the term flanking used a lot in the comic, and while I understand it's real-world application, I don't know what benefit is derided from it in D&D.

[Rizban]

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flanking is described quite well in the PHB. It's when two allied characters are directly across from one another with an enemy in the middle. It confers a +2 to attack rolls.

[Vaille]

I swing my rapier at the spider a second time.

[roll=Attack Roll]1d20+4[/roll]
[roll=Damage]1d20+1[/roll]

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Not sure why it isn't formatting. Is there a typo I'm not seeing?

[Maxios]

Sorry to interrupt the game, but is this a closed thread? Could I possibly create a character for this?

[Rizban]

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You can only post rolls in the first post. You can't edit them in later.

It's up to Vaille. It's his game.

Also, sorry about the slowness of the game. I've been super busy lately. It should pick up a bit now though.

[Vaille]

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I'm just as much at fault. Classes are picking up, and with my PC in the shop, I can only check a nearby desktop every few days.

I have no problem with you joining. At the least, it'll get me used to playing with other people in the same party.

Attack Roll - (1d20+4)[8]
[roll=Damage]120+1[/roll]

[Vaille]

Whoops, here we go.

[roll0]

[Vaille]

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Sorry, I must be a bit out of it today.

Damage - (1d20+1)[2]

[Rizban]

Your attack bounces off of the spider's thick hide.

The spider also misses you.

[Maxios]

Thanks Vaille for letting me create a character. Will a human wizard be acceptable? To clarify, this is 3.5 edition right?

[Maxios]

Here is my stats roll.
(4d6b3)[12]
(4d6b3)[13]
(4d6b3)[12]
(4d6b3)[11]
(4d6b3)[13]
(4d6b3)[15]

[Rizban]

I'd prefer you to play a non-caster.
No rerolls either.

[Maxios]

Alright. A human fighter then.

[Maxios]

I just found the 3.5 PH as a pdf, so I'll have a PC up soon.