[3.5] Question : How to get good attack bonuses

[LightInTheNight]

I am currently engaged in a long-term, (supposedly) unoptimized campaign.
The campaign is mostly Core-only, with the DM allowing some feats for mundane guys on a case-by-case basis.

All characters had to be Human due to story reasons.

Me : Fighter 9, going for weapon supremacy + trip + stand still + mage slayer
A : Fighter 1 / Ranger 7
B : Rogue 8
C : Cleric 9 / Ordained Champion 1
D : Wizard 8 / Cleric 1
E : Rouge 3 / Wizard ? / Arcane Trickster ?

The problem is this.
I have 24 STR(buffed and enlarged), and +21 to hit(bless, prayer, haste).
Guy A had 24 STR(afaik) and +28 to hit against a +4 favored enemy while TWFing.(No enlarge)
This would mean Guy A has +26 to hit against a non-favored enemy without TWFing. We both have +3 weapons.
I just don't get how he can have such high hit bonuses. :smalleek:

1. Is my hit bonus OKish?
2. Is Guy A's hit bonus OKish?
3. What can I do to improve my hit bonus so that I can get somewhat similar to his hit bonus?

Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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My current feats are as follows. (started at Lvl 6 BTW)

1 : combat expertise
1 : lightning reflexes ("suggested" by DM, and I don't regret this choice)
1 : improved disarm
2 : improved trip
3 : iron will ("suggested" by DM, and I don't regret this choice either)
4 : weapon focus (guisarme)
6 : power attack
6 : combat reflexes
8 : improved buckler defense (I'm not gonna get animated shield any time soon, the world is a bit magic-light)
9 : weapon specialization (guisarme)

My feat plan is as follows, in order :

melee weapon mastery (slashing)
stand still
knock-down
prone attack
mage slayer (DM said NO to "Pierce Magical ~~~~~" series)
greater weapon focus
greater weapon specialization
weapon supremacy
overpowering attack (<- DM allowed this as 20 level ACF instead of 16)

[Consumption]

Fighter 9th; BaB +9
Strength score 24; +7 to hit
Haste, Prayer, Bless; +3 to hit
Magical +3 weapon; +3 to hit
Weapon focus; +1 to hit

Total: +25 to hit

Edit: Can't count :S.. 9+7+3+3+1-1 (Enlarge) makes 22

[OldTrees1]

1) +21 is ok but see above

2) I do not know how it is that high.
Unlike Pathfinder, the default Favored Enemy class feature in 3.5 does not give a bonus on attack rolls.

The ranger gains a +2 bonus on Bluff, Listen, Sense Motive, Spot, and Survival checks when using these skills against creatures of this type. Likewise, he gets a +2 bonus on weapon damage rolls against such creatures.

Ftr 1/Rgr 7 gives +8 BAB
Str 24 gives +7 Str
+3 Weapon gives +3
Weapon focus gives +1
Bless, Prayer and Haste give +3
Knowledge Devotion can give up to +5
(although that is a DC 36 knowledge check)
Animal companion doing Aid Another rather than attacking +2
+29 so far
minimum TWF penalties are -2/-2
+27 so far

Are you sure it is a +3 weapon and not a +2 Bane weapon? (that would net a +1 to hit bonus)

3)Ask him how he does it.

[TuggyNE]

Fighter 9th; BaB +9
Strength score 24; +7 to hit
Haste, Prayer, Bless; +3 to hit
Magical +3 weapon; +3 to hit
Weapon focus; +1 to hit

Total: +25 to hit

Enlarge person gives -1 to hit. 9+7+3+3+1-1 = 22 (not 21, but not 25 either).


3)Ask him how he does it.

I second this advice. It's possible there's some misunderstanding, like they're adding up BAB wrong, forgetting some penalty, or expecting a larger bonus.

[LightInTheNight]

Enlarge person gives -1 to hit. 9+7+3+3+1-1 = 22 (not 21, but not 25 either).



I second this advice. It's possible there's some misunderstanding, like they're adding up BAB wrong, forgetting some penalty, or expecting a larger bonus.


1) +21 is ok but see above

2) I do not know how it is that high.
Unlike Pathfinder, the default Favored Enemy class feature in 3.5 does not give a bonus on attack rolls.


Ftr 1/Rgr 7 gives +8 BAB
Str 24 gives +7 Str
+3 Weapon gives +3
Weapon focus gives +1
Bless, Prayer and Haste give +3
Knowledge Devotion can give up to +5
(although that is a DC 36 knowledge check)
Animal companion doing Aid Another rather than attacking +2
+29 so far
minimum TWF penalties are -2/-2
+27 so far

Are you sure it is a +3 weapon and not a +2 Bane weapon? (that would net a +1 to hit bonus)

3)Ask him how he does it.


Fighter 9th; BaB +9
Strength score 24; +7 to hit
Haste, Prayer, Bless; +3 to hit
Magical +3 weapon; +3 to hit
Weapon focus; +1 to hit

Total: +25 to hit

Edit: Can't count :S.. 9+7+3+3+1-1 (Enlarge) makes 22

I also have -1 from using a buckler with a two-handed weapon(guisarme), so that is why I have +21. (hence the improved buckler defense feat)

But I am glad to know that it's not just me being too stupid to grab obvious to-hit bonuses :smallsmile:

Yeah, I think I'll check with the Ranger guy next session. If whatever he is using is fine with the DM, that maybe I can get permission to retrain some of my feats and get that for myself :smallbiggrin:

Thanks again, guys :smallwink: