Vital Aim Question

[Macabros]

Taken from the Targetter Fighter Variant
Vital Aim: The Targetteer may add his Dexterity
modifier to his damage rolls with a ranged-weapon
attack instead of his Strength bonus. The Targetteer
cannot replace a Strength penalty to damage rolls
with his Dexterity modifier unless his Dexterity
modifier is also a penalty. The Targetteer cannot use
his Dexterity modifier to replace his Strength
modifier when attacking creatures immune to critical
hits.

now normally no Bow gains Str to damage, composite bows can be made to with added effort and money.
So if I invested say 500 Gold in making a +4 Composite Longbow, but I also take the Vital Aim replacement feat.
So I gain Dex to damage as well as Str?

I am aware I would just use Dex for things like a Javelin or something thrown that deals Str to damage normally.

[Tohsaka Rin]

It says 'instead of', so you cannot use strength.

[Macabros]

I was just curious because, technically speaking if you didn't buy a composite bow, you cannot use this with a Bow period. As you do not have Str to replace.

In this case thrown weapons are just superior to Bows.

[animewatcha]

3.0 fighter - ranged combat thingers .. when it changed to 3.5, were there any changes? Like no more Str mod on bow ranged attacks or something?

[Macabros]

Bows do not get Str to Damage unless it is a Composite Bow with the proper Str rating.
however if I throw a javelin I use Dex to Hit and Str to Damage.