How to hit more?

[Raul Leão]

Hello people,

As my party of 4 people was level 1, the monsters had like 8-10 HP, so with a crossbow, sword, etc. dealing like 1d8 damage, the enemies was dead in 2 hits. Now we are level 2, the monsters have 14+ hp, and we are still dealing 1d8 damage +1 base atack bonus. How can we hit more with the same weapon? (we bought the strongest non magical from the PHB). When we reach level 15, we still have the same weapons (dont think my DM will put magical items). Hitting 1d8 with a crossbow is nothing for monster in level 15..... even with the Base attack bonus....

[Bronk]

By the time you are level 15, everyone in your party will already have extra attacks based on BAB, and will be able to get class features and feats to help out, even without magic items. Don't forget that you add your strength bonus to your BAB for attack, and to your base weapon damage for damage.

However, if this is the same game from your summon monster thread where you are a sorcerer, you can learn spells to help out as well, like 'magic weapon', 'greater magic weapon', haste, spells that add energy damage to weapons, and so on. You can also learn damaging spells, save or die spells, charm/dominate type spells...

[Firest Kathon]

As Bronk wrote, you should have a Strength bonus on your weapon damage. Also, for classes with a full Base Attack Bonus progression("Full BAB classes", e.g. Fighter, Ranger, Paladin, Barbarian, etc.) would have a +2 Bonus on level 2. For example, a Fighter 2 with 16 Strength and a Longsword would

Hit for +5 = +2 (BAB) +3 (Str modifier)
Do 1d8+3 damage

This to-hit damage can be enhanced more with feats (e.g. Weapon Focus (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#weaponFocus) for better to-hit, Weapon Specialization (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#weaponSpecialization) for more damage, Power Attack (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#powerAttack) to sacrifice to-hit for more damage), spells (e.g. Bull's Strength (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/bullsStrength.htm) [more strength = better to-hit and more damage], Magic Weapon (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/magicWeapon.htm), Bless (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/bless.htm)), Masterwork (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/equipment/weapons.htm#masterworkWeapons) or Magic (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/magicWeapons.htm) Weapons, or circumstances (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/combatModifiers.htm) such as flanking.

For Dexterity-based characters, the Weapon Finesse (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#weaponFinesse) feat allows you to apply your Dex modifier to your attack roll instead of your Strength modifier, so a Level 2 Rogue With 16 Dex would hit with +4 (+1 BAB, +3 Dex). There are feats and (prestige) classes to allow you to apply your dexterity modifier to damage as well.

With ranged attackers it is more difficult, depending on which source books are available to you. Some feats such as Point-Blank Shot (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#pointBlankShot) improve your attack roll and damage, and a Composite Bow (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/equipment/weapons.htm#longbowComposite) allows you to apply (part of) your strength modifier to your damage, depending on its strength rating. You may want to backport Pathfinder's Deadly Aim (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/deadly-aim-combat) feat which works like Power Attack, but for ranged attacks.

That said, the game is expected to be somewhat more difficult as you level up. Enemies become tougher, not only more hp but also more AC and defensive (as well as offensive) abilities. You may want to look into more ways to defeat enemies besides straight hp damage, which may be Special Attacks (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm) to hinder the enemy, alchemical (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/equipment/goodsAndServices.htm#specialSubstancesAndItems) or magic items, and of course spells and special abilities which disable the enemy (or boost your party), e.g. Glitterdust (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/glitterdust.htm), Grease (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/grease.htm) or Color Spray (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/colorSpray.htm).

Edited to add:

When we reach level 15, we still have the same weapons (dont think my DM will put magical items).
You should talk that over with your DM. The game has been designed with the expectation that plenty of magical items are available to the characters, see the table of Wealth per Level in the Dungeon Master's Guide for the approximate expected value of your character's gear. If no or little magical items are available, higher-level monsters will become more difficult or even impossible to attack and defeat, especially for non-spellcasting characters. Unless your DM has a very good knowledge of the game rules and the consequences of this decision, the game will not be a lot of fun as you progress, because you will find yourself unable to effectively combat your opponents.

[Raul Leão]

I regreat so much not taking color spary in level 1 :(

Well, guess im just scared of 2 critical hits from orcs (23 damage each) yesterday haha Thanks for the help guys!

Its a better idea to play with the miniatures right? we are having trouble with positioning without them (anyone attacks anyone, casters cant hide behind tankers....)

[GreatDane]

Its a better idea to play with the miniatures right? we are having trouble with positioning without them (anyone attacks anyone, casters cant hide behind tankers....)
I definitely think it's better to play with a grid / battle mat, yeah. Tactical combat is fun!

As far as actual miniatures, my group just used dice of various colors for years, until a new friend who owned minis joined us.

[Raul Leão]

I just found a site that builds its own miniatures, the price is very nice, but they are incolor, iron made. I just bought about 32 plus 1 beholder for 180,00 (55,00 dollars aprox.) Even if we arent using, its nice to collection ^^

[Unbodied]

I just found a site that builds its own miniatures, the price is very nice, but they are incolor, iron made. I just bought about 32 plus 1 beholder for 180,00 (55,00 dollars aprox.) Even if we arent using, its nice to collection ^^

There's also Heroforge which makes minis in a bunch of different materials now.

[Raul Leão]

There's also Heroforge which makes minis in a bunch of different materials now.

They ships to brazil?

[Unbodied]

They ships to brazil?

Maybe? They ship to Norway at least.

[Firest Kathon]

Well, guess im just scared of 2 critical hits from orcs (23 damage each) yesterday haha Thanks for the help guys!
Yes, Orcs are a big problem at low levels with how much damage they can dish out.

Its a better idea to play with the miniatures right? we are having trouble with positioning without them (anyone attacks anyone, casters cant hide behind tankers....)
You do not necessarily need "real" miniatures, some markers (e.g. dice) on a battle grid are sufficient. But tactical battles are a quite important part of D&D, so playing without a grid makes it more difficult.

[Inevitability]

You do not necessarily need "real" miniatures, some markers (e.g. dice) on a battle grid are sufficient. But tactical battles are a quite important part of D&D, so playing without a grid makes it more difficult.

Depends. I find that only 4e really needs a grid. I've played both 3.5 and 5e fine without one.