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NWN skill, AC,saving throws...modifiers

Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:24 pm
by Garumn
What does the modifiers do and how do they work?How do i access them?Im trying to understand DnD rules behind Avlis so can you plz help me.Thx

Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:27 pm
by Jonezie
Each ability (STR, DEX, CON, etc) has an associated modifier. Every 2 points above 10 you have gives +1 to your modifier for that stat. So someone with 14 STR has a +2 modifier, someone with 20 STR has +5.

These modifiers are what apply to your AB, Skill checks, AC, etc.

For example, A 6th level figter has a Base Attack Bonus of +6. If he also has 16 STR (A modifier of +3), that modifier gets added to his Attack Bonus, giving a total of +9.

You can also have negative modifiers if your stats are below 10. A character with 6 CHA will have a -2 modifer, for example.

The exact formula for working out modifiers is:
(Ability Score - 10) / 2, and is rounded down.

Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:28 pm
by Garumn
Thanks, so is it added to the total, say i have Int 20 on my char screen, do i potentially have 25 Int then?

Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:29 pm
by Garumn
And how do I know which modifier applys to which skill, ability?

Thanks a lot

Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:33 pm
by Jonezie
Garumn wrote:Thanks, so is it added to the total, say i have Int 20 on my char screen, do i potentially have 25 Int then?
No. The modifiers do not apply to the Abilities themselves - only the things that depend on the abilities. INT 20 (Modifier +5) will give you bouses to:
- Saving throw DCs for your wizard spells
- Extra wizard spells/day
- Skill Bonuses
- Saving throw DCs for assasin's death attack
- Probably some other stuff I'm forgetting

The stat that modifies each skill is listed in the skill description on the character sheet.

Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:35 pm
by Fire Monkey
No, if you have an Int of 20 then you have a Modifier of +5. This doesn't mean it modifies your Int score, it means that anything you do involving a check against Int (i.e. skills involving Int, saving throw DC's for spells cast by mages etc.) has +5 added to it. So say you have 5 ranks in Spellcraft, as its an Int based skill your operational score will be 5 (your skill ranks) + 5 (your ability modifier) = 10 points in Spellcraft.

To find out which skills relate to which ability look under their descriptions in the handbook or IG.

Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:40 pm
by Dirk Cutlass
1) It's all in the manual
2) Or in a good DnD resource
3) Have a play around in the single player game for a bit, just to get a feel for things. Look at the "combat log" and see how your die rolls and modifiers are used. Look at your Skills and see how they depend on certain abilities, etc.

Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:47 pm
by KaiRal Windspar
All characters add the bonuses the ability scores give you to the following:

Strength:
- Attack Bonus with Melee Weapons
- Damage to Melee Attacks and Mighty ranged weapons (weapon will say 'Might +X)
- Skills that are based on Strength.
- Carrying weight.

Dexterity:
- Armour Class (As limited by Armour type)
- Reflex Saving Throw
- Ranged Attack Bonus
- Weapon Finess weapons (small size, and weapons specifically listed in the feat description)
- Initiative Bonus
- Dexterity Based Skills (Tumble, Hide, Move Silently, etc)

Constitution:
- Hit Points per level
- Fortitude Save
- Skills Based on Constitution

Wisdom:
- Willpower Saves
- Wisdom Based Skill (Heal, Listen, Spot, etc.)

Inteligence:
- Skill Points per level
- Int Based Skills

Charisma:
- Charisma based Skills (Use Magic Device, Persuade, Perform, etc.)

Beyond that, it's based on a class by class basis what each ability score is for.

Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:55 pm
by gwydion2
You can examine your skill list on the character sheet in game to see which skill is based on which ability. The skill levels listed will give your total bonus from skill levels and stats. The same applies to the weapon you have equiped.

You can see all the skills and attack bonuses change as you equip different weapons or use items and spells that change your stats.

Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 3:23 pm
by Garumn
Thx a lot!:) do you know a good internet resource where the other aspects are alss explained? thx

Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 3:31 pm
by Dirk Cutlass
Garumn wrote:Thx a lot!:) do you know a good internet resource where the other aspects are alss explained? thx
This is a definitive guide for the version 3.0 of the DnD rules, on which NWN is sort of based.

http://www.opengamingfoundation.org/srd.html

It's not all that readable, but it is all there.

Also, don't forget your manual. If you don't have a paper copy to hand then the PDFs are all in your NWN installation (under the folder "doc").