My wizard's strength is 5 which means his mod is -3, and I don't add proficiency to my damage/type section, so am I correct in stating my damage with a dagger is 1d4-3?
I have never played a character in 5e before so I'm new to this experience.
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1\$\begingroup\$ Yikes, that must have been a bad dice roll... \$\endgroup\$– bladeNov 13, 2017 at 18:39
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\$\begingroup\$ Remember to mark the question as answered! \$\endgroup\$– doomtwigNov 14, 2017 at 2:04
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\$\begingroup\$ I have nothing usefult to add, just lol @ 1d4-3 damage :) \$\endgroup\$– JollyJokerNov 14, 2017 at 8:29
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2 Answers
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This is true for most melee weapons, but not the dagger.
Your damage will be partially determined by the weapon you use. If you're using a quarterstaff your damage would be 1d6 - 3 (one-handed) or 1d8-3 (two-handed) thanks to its versatile property.
Finesse weapons, such as a dagger, may use dexterity instead.
Some melee weapons (such as the dagger) have the finesse property. For these weapons, you may use your dexterity modifier instead of your strength modifier.
Ranged weapons use your dexterity modifier.
If you're using a ranged weapon, such as a sling or crossbow, you'll use your dexterity modifier instead of your strength modifier.
Spells typically do not get a damage modifier.
If you're using a spell, the damage is based on what the spell tells you to use. If it doesn't ask for a modifier, you don't get one. Most spells that do ask for a modifier use your "spell casting modifier," which is intelligence for wizards.
answered Nov 13, 2017 at 15:57
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4\$\begingroup\$ It's probably worth noting that with the proper selection of cantrips, a Wizard (or other spellcaster) can often avoid having to use Strength or Dexterity at all. Ranged Spell Attacks and Melee Spell Attacks both use the casting stat. \$\endgroup\$– T.J.L.Nov 13, 2017 at 16:05
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2\$\begingroup\$ perhaps important to add that minimum damage is 1. \$\endgroup\$– AvioseNov 13, 2017 at 17:51
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3\$\begingroup\$ @Aviose I almost did, but it turns out that isn't correct for 5e \$\endgroup\$ Nov 13, 2017 at 17:57
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4\$\begingroup\$ One small nitpick: some ranged weapons (specifically, non-finesse thrown weapons) use Strength instead of Dexterity. \$\endgroup\$– MarqNov 13, 2017 at 20:03
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2\$\begingroup\$ @AceCalhoon "With a penalty, it is possible to deal 0 damage, but never negative damage." It's in the "Damage Rolls" subsection of the "Damage and healing" section of Chapter 9 of the PHB. \$\endgroup\$– MarqNov 14, 2017 at 17:27
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Yes you are correct on Page 176 under Attack Rolls and Damage it states
You add your Strength modifier to your attack roll and your damage roll when attacking with a melee weapon such as a mace, a battleaxe, or a javelin.
However remember for ranged weapons on page 177 you use your dexterity bonus instead for damage
You add your Dexterity modifier to your attack roll and your damage roll when attacking with a ranged weapon, such as a sling or a longbow.
answered Nov 13, 2017 at 16:00
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3\$\begingroup\$ But do not forget that the dagger is a finesse weapon so he has the choice of using either Strength or Dex for his damage and attack modifier. \$\endgroup\$ Nov 13, 2017 at 17:47