What stat governs lightsaber combat?

[JimmyTheCannon]

I've heard conflicting reports on this. Is it Strength, like the rest of the melee weapons, or can you use Dexterity for your lightsaber attack roll?

 

Thanks!

[Star Admiral]

Ideally, you want to use strength, as it modifies both your attack roll and your damage rolls. If you have the Weapon Finesse feat though, and have a higher dexterity score, then yes, you can use your dexterity for your attack roll, but your damage roll gets no benefit.

 

- Star Admiral

[Ki-Gon]

KOTOR1 : STR or DEX whichever is higher.

 

KOTOR2 : STR by default, STR/DEX whichever is higher if you have either Weapon Finesse or Lightsaber Finesse feat.

[Parmenides]

Quick question, does melee proficiency add with lightsabers, or only the non-saber melee weapons?

[Star Admiral]

Only with non-saber melee weapons.

 

- Star Admiral

[mur'phon]

Unlike Star Admiral, I believe you should use dex, as that also improves your defence, and if you use jedi robes, there are no limitations to dexterity bonus to armor class allowing you to both hit even the hardest of bosses often and be next to unhittable (anything below boss level will ave a hard time hitting you once your dex gets high enough due to items/implants/force powers). This also has the benefit of alowing you to use force powers that won't work with armor.

[JimmyTheCannon]

I'm planning on using Scoundrel as my base class, so Dex it is. Thanks.

[Star Admiral]

Using Str will allow you to save a feat for something else, though I guess my opinion will be biased coming from NWN2, where feats are hard to get. In any case, unless your Dex is really high, all the defense in the world isn't going to help reduce any damage if you get hit. Since you're playing Scoundrel, though, then Dex would make more sense.

 

- Star Admiral

[Parmenides]

in Kotor2, depending upon your gender, you can allow the Wisdom to take care of your defense, leaving strength for the chance to hit.