weapon finesse question

[merlin34baseball]

A question and I didn't know where to post it so...

Weapon Finesse?

In my original NWN book it says that weapon finesse is an automatic when using such weapons as dagger, rapiers, short swords, light crossbows etc, (but does not list short bows)... But my Platinum NWN book does not say that.  What I am trying to figure out is if I need to take the weapon finesse feat. As all I use are light weapons anyway, as I have way higher dex than str, but my short bow is at +9 and my rapier, dagger and short sword are about +4 or 5 with modifiers...  I just don't want to waste a feat if I am already getting the bonus by using the weapons I have.  And why in the world is my short bow so much higher?

(and yes I probably should have taken it along time ago if I need it...)

Thanks!

[Ozy_Llewellyn]

You do not need weapon finesse for a ranged weapon. It will always use your dextreity modifyer.

However it effects mele weapons such as the rapier, dagger, shortsword, kukri, kama ecetera. Those weapons will then apply your dexterity modifyer to the attack bonus should it be superior to your strength modifyer.

IE:

+5 Dex and +3 strength use dex

+3 dex and +5 strength use strength.

However this only applies to mele weapons, as all ranged weapons once again use dexterity modifyer either way.

[orth]

You need Weapon Finesse for melee weapons to use your DEX modifier instead of your STR Modifier for AB.
Ranged Weapons use DEX as their modifier to AB.

[merlin34baseball]

Ok so what I cant figure out is then why my oak short bow has a +9 modifier and my iron rapier and dagger are only +5, thats why I thought I was missing the dex bonus (and needing to take weapon finesse).  My str is only 10 but dex is 18...

So who is right here? Ozy? Orth?  I think I need more help! Or am I just not getting it, the two posts look like they are telling me opposite things...

[Ozy_Llewellyn]

All right as your modifyer with a strength based attack is +0 and your modifyer with a dex based attack is +4. Weapon finesse with an iron rapier or dagger would result in an attack increase of 4 points in your case. So therefor Weapon Finesse is a valueable investment if you fight in mele.

[Lucius]

You can only use your Dex bonus on your melee attacks with the Weapon Finesse feat. If you don't have it, you'll use the Str bonus, be it higher or lower. Ranged weapons always use the Dex bonus.

Edit: A bit late

[Chuckles_McChuck]

do you have two weapon fighting, or ambidexterity (I cant remember if this is a feat in NWN now) if not then you will have negatives on your attacks while useing two weapons.  Unless I missunderstand you and when you said rapier and dagger you didn't mean at the same time.

[merlin34baseball]

Thanks all, thats exactly what I needed, just didn't want to waste a feat...

And I have two weapon fighting and abidexterity...  So I should have taken Finesse along time ago *looks emberassed*

When I only have one equiped they are like +5  with both more like +1 each...

[Weeblie]

Remember that this is only for AB.

The extra bonus (or bonus penelty) are still calculated using STR...

[merlin34baseball]

Um, another question I'll probably be embarassed about...

What does AB stand for?

*hides under her bed*

[orth]

Attack Bonus

[merlin34baseball]

Thanks all for the help, looks like I should have taken weapon finesse at about Ohhh, 1st level...