Concerning Power Attack

Quartz · Feb 16, 2007

I've just been creating a mid-level character and something struck me:

Pretty much every combat-oriented character takes the Power Attack feat. It's not that it's too good to not take it, rather that it gives the fighter character needed flexibility. One can say something similar for Combat Expertise. And Combat Reflexes vis-a-vis Rogues. But those are for other threads. So why not make Power Attack a Special Ability of Fighters? Limited by their fighter class level? Perhaps they gain it as a Special Ability at 2nd or 3rd level, and Combat Expertise a level later?

Now I'm all for rampant multiclassing, which largely obviates this idea, but there are many here who resist multiclassing.

I've not thought this through, so your thoughts, please.

Fieari · Feb 17, 2007

As a Fighter Bonus Feat with pretty low requirements, Power Attack practically IS a class feature. I mean, what else is he going to take?

Bad Paper · Feb 17, 2007

What is an archer going to do with Power Attack? A two-short-sword fighter? A dagger thrower?

Also, Power Attack really isn't that good against many (high AC) threats appropriate for your level. Most people just take it to get access to Cleave. I would be more likely to make Cleave the fighter special ability, than PA.

irdeggman · Feb 17, 2007

Bad Paper pretty much nailed it.

Single weapon melee oriented fighters usually go with Power Attack chain (well quite frequently anyway) - especially with a 2 handed weapon.

Ranged attack fighters don't.

2 weapon fighters likewise need to place their feats elsewhere.

Power Attack is a prerequisite for the Cleave feat tree, which is likewise very popular.

But making it a class ability messes with those who wish to play ranged attackers or 2 weapon style fighters.

Anguirus · Feb 17, 2007

Most people just take it to get access to Cleave. I would be more likely to make Cleave the fighter special ability, than PA.

I beg to differ. Cleave is merely decent. Power Attack (with a two-hander) is the single most efficient increaser of damage in the game, and it's utterly devastating when combined with the Emerald Razor maneuver, the Deep Impact psionic feat, or the Wraithstrike spell.

Making it a class feature would definately encourage people to take the (currently suboptimal) Fighter class. However, it would weaken melee classes in general considerably, since they would need to multiclass into Fighter to do any serious damage, and it wouldn't really make the Fighter itself more powerful. (Plus, it shoehorns Fighters into the heavy-attacker role...right now, the only good thing that can really be said about the Fighter is that it's versatile!)

So I'd think about it. A lot.

Jhulae · Feb 17, 2007

Anguirus said:
I beg to differ. Cleave is merely decent. Power Attack (with a two-hander) is the single most efficient increaser of damage in the game, and it's utterly devastating when combined with the Emerald Razor maneuver, the Deep Impact psionic feat, or the Wraithstrike spell.

Making it a class feature would definately encourage people to take the (currently suboptimal) Fighter class. However, it would weaken melee classes in general considerably, since they would need to multiclass into Fighter to do any serious damage, and it wouldn't really make the Fighter itself more powerful. (Plus, it shoehorns Fighters into the heavy-attacker role...right now, the only good thing that can really be said about the Fighter is that it's versatile!)

So I'd think about it. A lot.

The question becomes, then, when exactly do you make it a class feature? Too low, and it becomes another 'one dip'. Too high, and someone who wants to start out with the feat (to get Cleave and Great Cleave asap) gets shafted.

Leaving Power Attack as a Feat does seem to be for the best, honestly.

irdeggman · Feb 17, 2007

Making Power Attack a class feature for fighters will start to force them into the niche of being primarily melee combatants. The current structure allows them to instead got eh ranged attacker route.

Heck it makes more sense to make Power attack a class feature for a barbarian. How many of them do not take Power Attack as one of their early feats? It stacks exceptionally well with raging.

Mistwell · Feb 17, 2007

Quartz said:
Pretty much every combat-oriented character takes the Power Attack feat. It's not that it's too good to not take it, rather that it gives the fighter character needed flexibility. One can say something similar for Combat Expertise. And Combat Reflexes vis-a-vis Rogues. But those are for other threads.

I am making a new thread to discuss the bold part. See:

http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?p=3349788#post3349788

Boondoggle · Feb 17, 2007

Um... power attack is a class feature of fighters, as are all fighter bonus feats. Why take away that flexability?

Nail · Feb 17, 2007

Boondoggle said:
Um... power attack is a class feature of fighters, as are all fighter bonus feats. Why take away that flexability?

Exactly.

FWIW, I've house ruled that Ftrs get a bonus feat at every level. It's working out well.

Concerning Power Attack

Quartz

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Fieari

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Bad Paper

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irdeggman

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Anguirus

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Jhulae

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irdeggman

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Mistwell

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Boondoggle

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Nail

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