Could someone explain what's going on here?

[Legacy_Odlid]

               http://img341.images...13/69583531.png

This is a pic of my current character. Note the red square around that -1 in the damage line. I know the -1 comes from my strength multiplier, but I have the Weapon finesse feat. Shouldn't that -1 actually be 12? Am I misunderstanding the Weapon finesse feat or is it not reflected in the character info? If the -1 is correct, what effect is that going to have on my character?

Also, why can't I raise my Dexterity past 35? My current equipment should put me at 36, but no matter what I do I can't get over 35. *I just searched the wiki before posting this*   Is this behavior caused by the Ability cap?

I can't get my image to show up in this post, so I made it a URL.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par Odlid, 30 octobre 2011 - 10:30 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Adeph]

               Weapon finesse only replaces the strength modifier on your attack roll, in other words your chance to hit, but even if you have weapon finesse the damage roll is still calculated using your strength modifier.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Shadooow]

               also the weapon finesse work only with certain weapons (dagger, handaxe, kama, kukri, light hammer, mace, rapier, shortsword, sickle, whip, and unarmed strike), ability bonuses from items and spells are capped at +12
               
               

               

                     Modifié par ShaDoOoW, 30 octobre 2011 - 10:40 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Odlid]

               Okay, I get it now. I was missing the distinction between attack rolls and damage rolls. I also forgot to mention that I was dual-wielding kamas. I guess my plan to dump points into Dexterity instead of Strength wasn't that great after all. I gained 11 AC at the cost of 11 damage, but I really don't need the AC when I have Stoneskin and Improved Invisibility.

I have another question now. If I'm wearing a Crown of Thorns which has "Damage Reduction: +5 Soak 10 Damage", does that make Stoneskin pointless? If I understand the wiki correctly Stoneskin is the exact same thing and they don't stack.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Shia Luck]

               

Odlid wrote...

Okay, I get it now. I was missing the distinction between attack rolls and damage rolls. I also forgot to mention that I was dual-wielding kamas. I guess my plan to dump points into Dexterity instead of Strength wasn't that great after all. I gained 11 AC at the cost of 11 damage, but I really don't need the AC when I have Stoneskin and Improved Invisibility.

Well, maybe, but more defense is not such a terrible mistake to make. Cleric does give you some nice damage and str boost spells soooo.

Odlid wrote...
I have another question now. If I'm wearing a Crown of Thorns which has "Damage Reduction: +5 Soak 10 Damage", does that make Stoneskin pointless? If I understand the wiki correctly Stoneskin is the exact same thing and they don't stack.

It does make stoneskin pointless yes. The item property is better as it won't ever finish so best to swap out that spell until you find an even better helmet.

Have fun '>
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_HipMaestro]

               

Odlid wrote...
Okay, I get it now. I was missing the distinction between attack rolls and damage rolls. I also forgot to mention that I was dual-wielding kamas. I guess my plan to dump points into Dexterity instead of Strength wasn't that great after all. I gained 11 AC at the cost of 11 damage, but I really don't need the AC when I have Stoneskin and Improved Invisibility.

Crit or not to crit.  That is the question. '>

Can't really tell if your spell buffs are coming from a caster class ability or via UMD (scrolls, etc.) but  a dexer will benefit from plain 'ol Bull's Strength pots and any enhancements like Keen Edge (increases # of crits), Flame Weapon, Darkfire, Magic weapon/Gtr Magic Weapon, alchemist fire, etc. 

Sounds like a monk you are playing (well, it should be with dual kamas anyway) so with the monk progression (-3 per attack), your toon will be doing damage by virtue of the high DWing APR (probably something like 8 to 10 APR depending on the build) and gaining many crit opportunities each round.  The only real problems are 1) vs. foes which won't crit, like undead and 2) high DR enemieis.  Then it is back to dexpecker technique... unfortunately. '>

Cleric is the "one-size-fits-all" remedy class for dexers who all face the low-damage eventuality.  Arcanists also have a few weapon buffs but nothing like what a cleric offers.