HYPERBOREA / Combat question

**Posted by MicahJA** 8/01/2021 2:33 pm

Hello,
I am new to Hyperborea and we started our first adventure last night with the Anthropophagi of Xambaala.
A question came up that I couldn’t find the answer to (searched forums) to avoid repeating questions but couldn’t find the answer.
Do combat bonuses in melee attacks ‘stack’? We have a very strong Kimmerrian Berserker, so would he get his + to hit and damage, and his + to hit and damage when in a rage and should he ever (Kthulu forbid) get a magic weapon + that to his to hit and potentially damage rolls too?
Thank you in advance,
Regards
Micah

**Posted by Sasquatch** 8/01/2021 5:00 pm

I would be shocked if they didn't stack. Bonuses from stats and class abilities should definitely stack IMO. There are a few class abilities that specify when they don't stack. An example is Berserker's Thick Skin ability which doesn't stack with armor and instead providing a +1. I would say, unless it explicitly states it does not stack, then they do.

The attack roll modifiers, and ac modifiers from tables 87 and 88 don't stack. Maybe that's what you're thinking of?

If what you listed didn't stack, it would be the first D&D/AD&D that I've played that didn't. Jeff wouldn't do us dirty like that. Let that Zerker rip! Though maybe get some distance first?

Last edited by Sasquatch (8/01/2021 5:21 pm)

**Posted by BlackKnight** 8/01/2021 6:32 pm

yes, they all should stack. Strength, Ability, Magical Bonuses on the weapon, all are considered separate bonuses, and thus stack.

**Posted by MicahJA** 8/02/2021 5:04 am

Thank you Sasquatch (also for clarifying AC considerations) and BlackKnight for your replies that helps a lot!

**Posted by Sasquatch** 8/04/2021 12:28 am

I was going to mention this earlier, but I got kinda busy, and then had a birthday. :D

About those tables I mentioned. The missile penalties do stack.

"However, missile modifiers can be cumulative. For example, firing an arrow at a medium-range target engaged with an ally effects a −4 penalty to the attack roll." -2 from medium range, and -2 from firing into melee.

You probably saw that, but I thought I'd mention it.

**Posted by MicahJA** 8/04/2021 3:42 am

Thank you Sasquatch you beat me to asking for clarity on that.
Happy birthday! And thank you again for the reply.

**Posted by Jimm.Iblis** 8/04/2021 9:09 am

Sasquatch wrote:
If what you listed didn't stack, it would be the first D&D/AD&D that I've played that didn't. Jeff wouldn't do us dirty like that. Let that Zerker rip! Though maybe get some distance first?

3rd to 4th edition were really persnickety about what bonuses stacked and which didn't, resorting to having specific terms for the types of bonuses so one could get the calculus correct. I grew up with the TSR editions, but I still have habits and PTSDeas from 20 years of Wotcee DnD to shake off. A lot of us do.

**Posted by Sasquatch** 8/04/2021 5:09 pm

I don't remember much about 3e or 3.5. We didn't play it for very long before we went back to 2e. I do remember it being more crunchy than 2e and that may have necessitated more limitations on stacking? I defer to you on this.

**Posted by Spider of Leng** 8/04/2021 8:14 pm

Dungeons & Dragons effectively ceased to exist in 1997. Luckily, various stalwarts, including our own Mr. Talanian revived its spirit and wrenched the dice away from the soulless abominations that continued to masquerade as D&D after TSR. It's like Hitler's National Socialism. You might call it socialism, but....

**Posted by BlackKnight** 8/04/2021 8:29 pm

I actually like some of 3/3.5, but 2 was by far and away my favorite also. Loved the "historical" book series in 2nd Ed (The Vikings, Charlemagne's Paladins, Etc)

**Posted by Sasquatch** 8/05/2021 4:38 am

Yeah we didn't leave 3e because we hated it, though there were some complaints. It was more that this is when it had first released, and all we had was the Player's Handbook. Meanwhile, we had all the 2e books and Spelljammer and Dark Sun and :D. Also anything from 1e that anyone had, plugged right in.

Sure we could have converted them, but back then thac0 didn't have this weird stigma. It just wasn't a big deal at all. So we played 2e instead. For reasons!

Last edited by Sasquatch (8/05/2021 4:41 am)