D&D 3.5 Base Attack Bonus Chart
Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is a popular role-playing game that has been enjoyed by gamers for decades. In D&D, characters have a base attack bonus (BAB) that determines their ability to hit their opponents in combat. The BAB chart is an essential tool for players to understand how their character’s combat abilities increase as they level up.
What is a Base Attack Bonus?
The Base Attack Bonus (BAB) is a value that represents a character’s ability to hit their opponents in combat. It is used to calculate the character’s attack bonus, which is added to the character’s roll to determine if they hit their target. The BAB value increases as the character gains levels, which makes them more effective in combat.
How is the Base Attack Bonus Calculated?
The Base Attack Bonus is calculated based on the character’s class and level. Different classes have different BAB progression rates, which means that some classes gain BAB faster than others. For example, a fighter gains a higher BAB per level than a wizard.
The BAB progression rate for each class is listed in the D&D 3.5 Player’s Handbook. Players can use this information to determine how their character’s BAB will increase as they level up.
What is the BAB Chart?
The BAB chart is a table that shows the Base Attack Bonus for each level of a character in each class. It is an essential tool for players to understand how their character’s BAB increases as they level up.
The BAB chart is found in the D&D 3.5 Player’s Handbook and is also available online. Players can use the chart to determine their character’s attack bonus at each level and plan their character’s combat abilities accordingly.
How to Use the BAB Chart?
Using the BAB chart is straightforward. First, players need to determine their character’s class and level. Then they can locate the appropriate row on the BAB chart and find the corresponding BAB value for their level.
For example, a 3rd level fighter has a BAB of +3. This means that when the fighter makes an attack, they add +3 to their attack roll. If the total is equal to or higher than the opponent’s armor class, the attack hits.
BAB and Multi-Class Characters
Multi-class characters have a BAB that is calculated by adding the BAB of each class together. For example, a 3rd level fighter (BAB +3) and a 2nd level wizard (BAB +1) would have a total BAB of +4.
Players should use the BAB chart to determine the BAB of each class and then add them together to determine the character’s total BAB.
BAB and Feats
Feats can also affect a character’s BAB. Some feats, such as Weapon Focus, provide a bonus to the character’s attack rolls. This bonus is added to the character’s BAB.
Players should keep in mind that feats can only be taken at certain levels, and some feats require the character to have a minimum BAB to qualify.
BAB and Combat Maneuvers
BAB is also used to determine a character’s ability to perform combat maneuvers, such as grappling or tripping. Each combat maneuver has a minimum BAB requirement that the character must meet to attempt the maneuver.
Players should consult the BAB chart to determine their character’s BAB and whether they meet the minimum requirement for the desired combat maneuver.
Conclusion
The Base Attack Bonus chart is an essential tool for players to understand how their character’s combat abilities increase as they level up. By using the chart, players can determine their character’s attack bonus, plan their combat abilities, and calculate their total BAB as a multi-class character.
