Touch Attack

Disambiguation: Touch AC does not exist in Epic Path. Touch attacks are resolved against normal Armor Class, but with the bonuses described below.

Some attacks need only touch a foe for such an attack to take full effect, largely ignoring many of the mundane defenses that adventurers use to protect themselves from attacks. Examples include attacks made by an incorporeal foe whose claws can pass harmlessly through armor but shred the flesh beneath, or a spell effect that electrocutes the target, using their metal armor as a conduit for the attack. There are two kinds of touch attacks: melee touch attacks and ranged touch attacks:

Melee Touch Attack

A melee touch attack is resolved against the target's Armor Class (AC), just like a regular attack. In fact, the to-hit for a melee touch attack is calculated the same as a Melee Attack except that it receives a +4 bonus. In addition, touch attacks always hit the target if the roll on the die is a 17 or better. If the touch attack is capable of critically hitting, it only threatens a critical hit on a natural die result of 20 or better (or whatever the critical threat range of the weapon, spell, or ability normally uses). Since the critical confirmation roll simply has to hit again, the 'always hits on a 17+ on the die' would help with confirming a critical hit. As a result of these bonuses, touch attacks tend to hit, and critically hit, much more frequently than standard attacks.

Ranged Touch Attack

A ranged touch attack is resolved against the target's Armor Class (AC), just like a regular ranged attack. In fact, the to-hit for a ranged touch attack is calculated the same as a Ranged Attack except that it receives a +4 bonus to-hit. In addition, touch attacks always hit the target if the roll on the die is a 17 or better. If the touch attack is capable of critically hitting, it only threatens a critical hit on a natural die result of 20 or better (or whatever the critical threat range of the weapon, spell, or ability normally uses). Since the critical confirmation roll simply has to hit again, the 'always hits on a 17+ on the die' would help with confirming a critical hit. As a result of these bonuses, touch attacks tend to hit, and critically hit, much more frequently than standard attacks.