GameBanshee Forums

Question about the dexterity bonuses. When using a bow, what advantages does high dex and high str give you? I think the dex relates to your attack bonus and the str relates to you damage bonus, but I'm not sure. Am I right? And can anyone tell me if the spells they get are really important ie worth increasing my wis to 14 for?

I play a ranger archer style. Unfortunately I'm very bad at AD&D rules, so somebody else needs to fill in, but this is what I know:

DEX gives you bonus to attack roll (I am sure there are lists of this around somewhere), and bonus to your AC.

STR gives no damage bonus in itself on ranged weapons, but it gives you the possibility to use bonuses the bow have. You will not benefit from using a +3 Mighty bow of your STR is not high enough to give a bonus of +3 in bonus. Since all the best bows have magical bonuses and might, an archer should not have too low STR, I think 14 gives +2 bonus, 16 gives +3 bonus.

The only spells I used for ranger were summoned animals. I liked the 3rd level dire wolf a lot better than the 4th level dire spider, so it might not be a bad ideal to use the points on something else.IMO

A strength bonus only counts on a Mighty bow so you will need to find (and afford one) before Strength is that useful. Dexterity is more important, but feel free to have higher strength, using a Spell or potion is another option, don't forget that Bull's Strength lasts a long time.

What about the spells?

I wouldn't worry about 14 wisdom. 13'll get you the dire wolf. IMO the 4th level spells aren't all that great. The dire spider w animal summoning IV isn't as useful as the summoning III dire wolf.

I agree with Archerknight, those points are better spent elsewhere since the ranger spells aren't that good.