Targetteer Clarification

[Falling Out]

Another quick question:

How does one interpret this from the Targetteer variant?

"Vital Aim – When shooting an opponent who is vulnerable to critical hits, the
Targetteer may use his/her Dexterity modifier as a damage bonus instead of
his/her Strength modifier. This ability can only be used if the Strength
modifier is positive –or– both modifiers are negative."


Is this a Crystal-Keep typo or mistake?
Does it simply mean DEX bonus added as damage to ALL ranged shots?
Otherwise, what is the point of this class-specific feat?

[KevLar]

By RAW, the word "instead" seems to imply that your DEX bonus applies only where your STR bonus would apply - which is composite bows (though you'd still take a penalty for using a composite bow "stronger than you") and thrown weapons, as far as I can tell.

RAI... your guess is as good as mine. If it were up to me, I'd say that the two clauses (target vulnerable to critical hits, and positive STR modifier) make it balanced enough to allow it for all ranged attacks. Archers need all the help they can get, so no big deal. You have my blessings. But you should get your DM's blessings first. :)

By the way, though I don't have the Dragon issue, I don't believe it's a typo, because I think there have been some discussions about that variant (and Vital Aim) in WotC's forums before Crystal Keep compiled those PDFs - and they say the same thing.