So.. on my new game of BG1 I noticed something strange. Sometimes when I fight someone I get a penalty of -2 on my attack roll. For example when fighting Ajantis in AR1400. It says for example, Attack Roll: 16 - 2 = 14 : Hit. I'm using a regular longsword. Shouldn't I rather get a bonus because I'm playing an elf?
Proficiencies:
Bow: 2 points
Large Sword: 2 points
Mods:
Baldurdash Fixpack
BG1: Unfinished Business
I'm a little rusty concerning the old AD&D Rules BG1 is using. Could it be that I just get a penalty to my attack role for every level that my opponent is higher than myself? Iirc Ajantis is lvl 3 when you let him join your party, while my main char is still level 1.
Edit: Ok, that can't be it. Just invited him and he's only lvl 2. He's wearing a standard chain mail + medium shield and is wielding a bastard sword btw.
Edit2: Got it I think. It has got to be some special armor bonus vs. slashing applied by his chain mail. Chain Mail is apparently strong vs. slashing(-2 to enemy attack rolls), but susceptible to crushing damage(+2 to enemy attack rolls). Scale Mail for example is strong vs. crushing(-2), good vs. piercing(-1), good vs. missiles(-1) and has no susceptibilities. Plate Mails are excellent vs. slashing(-3) and also without weaknesses. Nothing of this is mentioned in the respective armor descriptions though =//
Well, I don't know if it was implememented in the game but I do believe in 2nd edition AD&D Paladins had a permanent Protection vs. Evil on them... can't remember...
Different armor types have different attack roll penalties or bonusses for the person attacking them.
So when fighting someone in Chain mail, if you have a bludgeoning weapon you get a +2 to hit. If fighting someone in Leather, I believe you get a +2 to hit if you use a piercing weapon.
You can see the exact penalties in the character record screen.
Adding to what RAV said, there are other items and factors which can effect the "die" roll. What you are seeing is the "net" effect of all pluses and all minus totalled before the "die" roll. You might be getting +1 for weapon proficiency but the opponents armor/special ability/ or a magic protection item (like a belt of protection from blunt attacks) might add up to -3 so the net effect would be -2 to your die roll.
SPOILER** Spoiler
In my current game my PC is wearing a pair of Boots of Avoidance (taken off of Nimbul) Anhkeg armor and have a dexterity of 18. So when archers shoot at him I see their die rolls come across with a minimum of -7 modification (ex: 18-7=11. Unless they roll a 20, which is an automatic hit, they are not going to hit me!!
