All You Need is Dexterity Trivia Quiz

Answer: Longbow

When in combat, you can make an attack on a foe by rolling the d20 and adding your Melee or Ranged Attack Modifier. Although these are not the same, they serve similar functions. Your Melee modifier is added when making a melee attack with a one or two handed weapon within the weapon's range; it is not for designated ranged weapons. So if you are in battle, hacking away with a sword, punching with your fists, or anything similar, you would add the Melee modifier. As a Ranger, I specialize in using a bow; this means that my Ranged Attack Modifier is added. The Ranged Attack Modifier is a combination of my prescribed Base Attack Bonus (which rises as I level up) and my Dexterity modifier. It doesn't stop there-- the number can be added to using feats and better weapons. The higher my dexterity, the more my attacks will hit.

The Ranged Attack Modifier is added when using bows of all sorts (including crossbows), slings, thrown weapons (eg. knives), javelins, nets, etc. Sometimes, spells will also use this modifier, so if you cross-class or stumble upon clever ranged spells (which I don't typically as I lack an impressive Wisdom modifier...though I am charismatic enough to make up for it) it's a plus.

Answer: Flat-Footed Armor

Each character, no matter who they are, is at risk of getting hurt, even if they don't see battle. Avoiding getting hurt is dependent on your AC (Armor Class). This value is dependent on many different aspects including your physical armor, your DEX modifier, dodge and deflection bonuses, magic items, and others. Touch Armor is a bit different as it relies on your being able to protect yourself when being directly touched by an attack, magic or otherwise.

As such it removes any bonuses from your physical armor or shield and from natural armor. Flat-Footed Armor, taken when a player is unable to react to an attack, removes DEX modifiers and dodge bonuses.

The higher the DEX modifier you have (even if that means buffing yourself with Cat's Grace or otherwise), the higher your Armor Class can be.

Answer: The DEX modifier I put towards my armor is limited

Almost all forms of armor, when worn, will result in you needing to work with a Maximum Dexterity. This means that because your armor is bulky or restrictive, your DEX modifier could possibly take a hit if you're used to being speedy. Studded leather is relatively middle-range.

While it has a Maximum Dexterity value of +5, it gives +3 armor. If you up your Dexterity modifier beyond that +5, it will not count towards your Armor Class. The heavier the armor, the lower the maximum and the higher the armor bonus. Full Plate armor, for instance, gives +9 armor bonus, but does not allow the wearer to use a Dexterity modifier at all when calculating their Armor Class. Most archers need to be mobile and at a range, so a lighter armor is typically the best.

Answer: CMD

Combat Maneuver Defense (CMD) is the counterpart to the Combat Maneuver Bonus (CMB) value, and both involve unique tactics in battle beyond simply hitting with a weapon. A combat maneuver can be anything from grappling and pinning to tripping, disarming, and sundering a weapon. CMD is a value created by adding 10 to your DEX modifier, your Strength modifier, your Base Attack Bonus, and any size modifier. Having a high CMD is quite helpful as it prevents your character from getting hit by any dirty tricks. Who knows-- with too low a CMD you could end up getting sand thrown in your eyes or otherwise. If you're caught flat-footed, you lose out on your Dexterity modifier.

Answer: Climb

Climb actually makes use of the STR modifier and the score you need to beat is reliant on the difficulty of the slope/wall you're climbing. Sometimes, characters even have a climb speed which means that unless they're in combat scenarios or threatened by enemies, they don't need to perform the check.
Acrobatics is one of the most general DEX-modified skill checks in the game because it incorporates several different skills originally found in the "Dungeons and Dragons" 3rd Edition rules (including Tumble, Jump, etc.). Acrobatics also takes an armor check penalty; if you carry too much weight on your person, the value given for the skill check is lessened.
Ride, likewise, receives this armor check penalty due to the difficulty of riding and navigating an animal. If the animal is not meant to be a mount, it gets even harder.
Stealth is used to hide from enemies and evade being spotted unless the foe makes a high enough Perception check. This skill amalgamates the original "DnD" skills Hide, Stealth, and Move Silently.

Answer: Sleight of Hand

Sleight of Hand is an interesting skill since you can't technically use it untrained (otherwise it's simply a DEX modifier added to your roll and you can't do intricate moves). The skill allows you to pick pockets, steal, or hide items from enemies (or friends-- you never know). If you happen to be wearing heavier armor, the check becomes more difficult; the enemy is more likely to know if you're jangling around in a full suit of armor than if you were slinking around in leather. Swim is a Strength-based skill (which is heavily hindered by heavy armor and items on your person) while Heal and Perception are both Wisdom-based skills.

Answer: Reflex

There are three basic saves in the game: Fortitude, Reflex, and Will. Fortitude makes use of your Constitution modifier and involves poison saves, stabilization when you run out of health, and the like. Will involves spells and poisons designed to attack your mind; it uses your Wisdom modifier. Reflex is the only one to affect your character from a movement standpoint and uses your Dexterity modifier to avoid pitfalls, traps, spells, and other hazards in and out of battle.

A high Reflex score can also allow you to take less damage on heavy-hitting arcane spells (eg. Fireball). Reflex can be increased with the Lightning Reflexes feat or items. Your character also receives a base save value (as is typical of all saves). Rangers like myself typically get good bonuses to this.

Answer: Initiative

Initiative can make or break a battle in my opinion. When the battle begins you'll be asked to roll a twenty-sided die and add your Initiative modifier to the total to determine where in the order of attacks you fall. A higher modifier, when coupled with a high roll, can result in your skyrocketing up the list and getting a chance to attack when the enemy is flat-footed. Your Initiative is calculated by adding your DEX modifier to any bonuses you may attain from items, feats, traits, or bonuses. Taking the Improved Initiative feat, for instance, gives +4 to Initiative. Sometimes taking that first shot in battle or orienting yourself before the enemy has a chance to move can set you up for success.

Answer: Stealthy

Stealthy gives your character +2 to skill checks on Escape Artist and Stealth; both are DEX-only skills.
While Combat Reflexes sounds like a DEX-important feat, it's not. It allows your character to make more than one attack of opportunity in a round. This is not something governed by your Dexterity. Combat Expertise, likewise, is a different facet of the game-- it allows your character to trade a point from their melee attack to their armor check penalty for one round. You need a minimum Intelligence score of 13 to choose it.
Improved Familiar has nothing to do with this; you typically need to be a Sorcerer or Wizard to have a familiar.

Answer: Improved Precise Shot

Quick Draw, which allows you to draw your weapon as a free action, and Exotic Weapon Proficiency, which allows you to use an exotic weapon without penalty, both need a Base Attack Bonus of +1 to be used. No DEX modifier necessary.
Dodge does require Dexterity-- you need an ability score of at least 13 to be able to claim it. The Feat gives a +1 bonus to your Armor Class value in the Dodge category, meaning it can't be used to protect you from flat-footed attacks. Dodge also starts a chain of feats including Mobility, and Spring Attack.
Improved Precise Shot is the heavy DEX one. You need an ability score of at least 19 to grab it (in addition to a Base Attack Bonus of +11) and you need to have both Precise Shot and Point Blank Shot as prerequisites (unless, like me, you have some class-specific bonus feats). It removes penalties for anything less than total cover when firing a ranged weapon.