Gabriel Pendragon
First Post
I was wondering if there was any way to give a touch attack the finesse property?
D&D 5E Touch attacks and finesse property.
- Thread starter Gabriel Pendragon
- Start date
KahlessNestor
Adventurer
Touch attacks use your spell attack modifier, not strength.
Gabriel Pendragon
First Post
I'm aware, still wanting to know if they can be given finesse or not. One thought I had was taking a level of monk but i'm unsure if that gives finesse or just a feature similar to finesse.
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1. The monk feature does not give the finesse property, it just allows a number of attacks to use dex instead of str (has been clarified regarding sneak attack).
2. Even if monk did give the finesse property, it would not matter for spells, since the finesse property is only relevant for weapons. I cannot recall any game element that is "touch attacks", only spell attacks with a range of "touch", using the spellcasting ability.
Edit to add: 3. Green-flame Blade and Booming Blade would work with Sneak Attack if the weapon used was a finesse weapon. Not quite relevant for what you are asking I think, but the only way I can think of the finesse property being relevant when casting a spell.
2. Even if monk did give the finesse property, it would not matter for spells, since the finesse property is only relevant for weapons. I cannot recall any game element that is "touch attacks", only spell attacks with a range of "touch", using the spellcasting ability.
Edit to add: 3. Green-flame Blade and Booming Blade would work with Sneak Attack if the weapon used was a finesse weapon. Not quite relevant for what you are asking I think, but the only way I can think of the finesse property being relevant when casting a spell.
Gabriel Pendragon
First Post
I've seen mention that certain ray's can be used as ranged weapon attacks and can apply the sneak attack damage with them. But they only mentioned one spell, scorching ray. Raises the question of what other spells fit into this category?
BoldItalic
First Post
Finesse doesn't relate to ranged weapon attacks, does it? Unless you are throwing a finesse weapon, and there aren't any.
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Li Shenron
Legend
I think in the current 5th edition there is not such thing as a "touch attack". With relation to spells, they are "spell attacks" either melee or ranged, and always use your spellcasting ability modifier.
I don't think there is any option yet in the game to allow a spellcaster to replace the spellcasting ability modifier with Dex modifier when doing a "spell attack". It doesn't seem overpowered to me, as it would be convenient only to a character who had Dex higher than its spellcasting ability. Because of that I may not even mind to give this ability for free as a house rule. But if you're looking for an "official" option, I don't think there is one at the moment.
I am not sure. I am actually of the opinion that in 5e sneak attack doesn't apply to spells, because it specifically mentions you need a weapon (finesse or ranged) and spells aren't weapons. But maybe there was a sage advice or tweet about it?
Gabriel Pendragon
First Post
Designing a to be arcane trickster who has lived and worked in a library, was originally going to make them human with the magic adept feat, but am debating between that and being a high elf. In any case was looking at touch cantrips to fill in the melee hole that the character has, as they prefer fighting at range as melee is scary. Unsure of which spells fit this niche at the moment, only one coming to mind is shocking grasp from the top of my head. Where as the rest of their spells will be in the limitations of arcane tricksters if they have any other than just one. The text on sneak attack says that you know how to strike subtly and exploit a foe's distractions, which seems the way a rogue like this would attack using such touch attacks, aiming for weak spots and quickly darting in to deliver the spell and getting back out, much like a rapier thrust. Like in the case of shocking grasp, aiming for surface level nerve bundles, open wounds, or some other target to maximize the attack. If stun batons existed I would just use that and call it a day, but they don't in this universe. As a high elf shocking grasp is the only spell that fits the bill, with magic adept there are a number more.
That is the rough idea i'm working with currently. Personally I'd be fine giving up the scaling and using it like a rapier with whatever magic damage type the spell uses. It does open up weaknesses to anything with mage slayer.
That is the rough idea i'm working with currently. Personally I'd be fine giving up the scaling and using it like a rapier with whatever magic damage type the spell uses. It does open up weaknesses to anything with mage slayer.
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Gabriel Pendragon
First Post
With the design i'm working on the modifiers for int and dex are the same so swapping them wouldn't make much of a difference. The concept is more thematic than anything as i outlined in the full write up which i'm unsure of where exactly its stacking in the replies...sigh forums...
Edit:also not seeing a delete post option...figures.
Edit:also not seeing a delete post option...figures.
If you would be allowed to use content from the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide (SCAG), then I would suggest Booming Blade or Greenflame Blade. Both involve using an attack with a melee weapon, so you could use a rapier or other finesse weapon. Due to the wording of Sneak Attack (SA) those spells with a finesse weapon would still trigger the SA damage. Booming Blade could be good to avoid being chased. Shocking grasp is good if you only care about getting away from the enemy since it prevents them from making an opportunity attack. However, it can't be made to trigger SA.
