In Pathfinder I've seen the phrase "adds 1-1/2 the creature's strength bonus on damage rolls"
Does that mean multiply by 1.5?
\$\begingroup\$
\$\endgroup\$
2
-
\$\begingroup\$ Welcome to the site! Please take a look at the tour and the help; they're a useful introduction to the site. And once you have 20+ rep, feel free to join the chat! \$\endgroup\$– TridusMar 21, 2014 at 0:25
-
2\$\begingroup\$ I have asked about the origins of this notation on Math SE, because frankly it’s awful and I want to know who to blame for this :P \$\endgroup\$– KRyanMay 17, 2016 at 3:37
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
\$\begingroup\$
\$\endgroup\$
3
Yes.
When the rules say "1-1/2" they mean 1.5 times. Remember to round down.
This is a holdover from 3.5, which also phrased it that way. Frankly I think "1.5" or "one and a half" would have been a better choice, precisely because it would avoid this kind of confusion, but that's neither here nor there.
answered Mar 20, 2014 at 23:38
-
\$\begingroup\$ Thanks, it's a weird way of writing it on their part so I appreciate the clarification! \$\endgroup\$– NerevarMar 20, 2014 at 23:41
-
5\$\begingroup\$ To be precise, it's a holdover from the d20 SRD which doesn't use typographical fractions (to maintain a lowest-common-denominator of text formatting) and favours numbers over words (for brevity/clarity); in D&D 3.5 they do use "one and a half times". Partly this is because an SRD isn't a teaching document, but rather a reference for those who have already learned the game, so it's written assuming the reader already knows this rule. \$\endgroup\$ Mar 21, 2014 at 4:38
-
4\$\begingroup\$ To clarify, "1-1/2" uses a system of notation that's only common in certain parts of the world. In this system of notation, the dash serves as a separator between the integer and fractional components of a number, meaning that "1-1/2" means "one and a half." I'm not sure how a separator that so closely resembles a minus sign ever caught on, but this is the world we live in. \$\endgroup\$– GMJoeMay 17, 2016 at 0:31