Questions about archer kit

[prune1]

Hello,

I have various questions about the archer kit, and some general queries too about the weapon proficiency system too.

First of all, my archer(+er?) has a base thac0 of 14 when created in BG2, and with 18 strength it puts his thac0 to 12. Fair enough, so far.

But then upon equipping a short bow, it drops to 2!!

This seems insane, because i can't see where it's coming from.

As far as i can tell he should have +2 to thac0 for being level 7 (+1 per 3 levels as per kit description). Right, that's 10.

Also, grand mastery in short bows should give him +1 to thac0?
So, 9...now where's the other 7 coming from??

Unless i'm wrong about grand mastery, and in fact the stated effects for each proficiency slot stack? As in +1 at two slots in short bow, then another +1 for each slot thereafter? Well, that would still put the thac0 at 6...

I'm really quite confused, so if someone could clear this up - especially about the proficiency slot system - another query about that actually: When i click on 'skills' at character creation screen, the description in the bottom right hand BEFORE you click on any of the weapons tells you some generic info about the system, and if you scroll down, there's a specific descriptiong about the advantages of adding up to grandmastery. In particular, the grandmastery one, is stated as giving -3 to weapon speed, whereas when you click on any weapon the description there is only -1 to weapon speed for 5 slots...again, confusing.

I have no mods like 'true grandmastery' or anything btw (i do have mods, but nothing that would alter the above).

Right, next question is about called shot, once again do the effects stack? i.e. at level 16 does the archer get all the bonuses listed up to level 16 for called shot, or JUST the +2 to damage...seems odd, as a -1 to strength seems a better deal to me than +2 damage...but anyways, if someone could clear all this up i'd appreciate it a lot!!

[galraen]

Well there's dexterity to consider, 18 would give you another +4 THACO when using a bow, there's also the bow to take into account if it gives pluses to hit, and likewise with arrows(some arrows give plus(es) to hit that aren't mentioned in the item description).

[prune1]

That would add up; IF by the time you hit grandmastery you have +4 to thac0 as i stated.

Though on character creation, for ability adjustment to hit it's listed as only +2, maybe dex isn't shown on character screen for this? seeing as dex is only for bows im guessing?

Also, how about attacks per round...how much should i have?

I think 3/2 for being a warrior in level 7-12 range, and then 3/2 for grandmastery? That would be 3...which is what i have...should it be that high? i'm in irenicus's dungeon btw, so no arrows +1 or anything even.

[Klorox]

Well there's dexterity to consider, 18 would give you another +4 THACO when using a bow, there's also the bow to take into account if it gives pluses to hit, and likewise with arrows(some arrows give plus(es) to hit that aren't mentioned in the item description).

18 DEX adds +2 actually.
19 adds +3

Elf adds +1

[prune1]

Here's the breakdown as far as i can tell:

20 base thac0

+6 for warrior thac0 progression (+1 for every level after 1) = 14
+2 for str 18/51, or above = 12
+2 for 18 dex = 10
+2 for being a level 6 archer (+1 for every 3 levels) = 8
+2 or +3 for grandmastery? = 6/5

Either way (in regards to my confusion about grandmastery), there's still 4/3 thac0 points unaccounted for. Can anyone see where they might be coming from?

NB: character is newly created in SoA, no items other than studded leather and a normal short bow with normal arrows. Also, race is human - so i'm not "missing" the +1 for being an elf in the above.

[Thrifalas]

+2 for str 18/51, or above = 12

AFAIK, Strenght only applies to melee weapons.

[Deadalready]

Does the short bow or arrows used carry any form of enchantment?