D&D 5E Polearm Mastery feat bonus attack

[Firefox45]

I am a newer DM just getting I to DnD with the latest edition here. One of the players in my group has taken the role of fighter and using the human varient he started with the polearm mastery feat which allows him to make an opportunity attack on creatures who enter his range, and add an additional 1D4 damage bonus action attack after his attack roll.

Originally he was using this incorectly by making the bonus attack with the opportunity attack as well but we found that he could only do that with his actual attack action. The new question we have is if he's supposed to add his proficiency and str modifier to his bonus attack damage as he would his normal attack.

 

[Cernor]

Yes, you always add your ability (in this case Str) modifier to a damage roll with a weapon. And since the attack is technically made using the polearm, he's proficient with the bonus action attack.

That being said, there are a lot of people who think that Polearm Master is overpowered, especially in conjunction with Great Weapon Master. If that proves to be the case in your game, feel free to take away the proficiency bonus from the bonus action attack to help balance things out.

 

[Warmaster Horus]

You never add your proficiency bonus to damage. I see no reason to deny the strength bonus based on the text of Polearm Master.

 

[Firefox45]

lol edited, was answered above

 

[Paraxis]

Some things about polearm mastery that are correct per the rules as written that I have seen people have issue with but in all honestly are not that big of a deal.

- Both the normal attack and the bonus d4 attack have reach.
- Both the normal attack and the bonus d4 attack add str modifier to damage.
- Both the normal attack and the bonus d4 attack are made with a 2-handed weapon, so things like great weapon master -5/+10 and great weapon fighting style (re rolling 1's and 2's on damage dice) apply to the d4 bonus attack.
- You can take your bonus attack before the attack action itself, almost all bonus actions work like this you can take it at any point in your turn as soon as you commit to taking the triggering action.
- Anything applying bonus to hit or damage applies to the bonus action d4 attack so magic item modifiers or buff spells, stuff like that.

Up until now I had never seen anyone trying to balance out the feat by saying you wouldn't get your proficiency bonus to attack on the bonus d4 attack, of course you do if you are proficient with the polearm.

Now remember you are limited to one bonus action on your turn, no matter the number of attacks you get with the multi-attack class feature, I have seen people make the mistake of letting a 5th level fighter get a bonus attack twice because he makes two attacks with main end of the weapon.

 

[Warmaster Horus]

Nice summary, Paraxis.

 

[Firefox45]

Proficiency to damage roll was my mistake. I realized after posting it that I was incorrect about that.

The reason why I thought the str modifier wouldn't be added to the damage though is because it's not with the rogues bonus action. Theirs being the second attack made with their second weapon.

 

[Kikuras]

I have found that in the discussion of balance, and feats like Polearm Master or Crossbow Expert (and the synergy with other feats), that when all is said and done, RAW is not entirely unbalanced. Granted the argument can be made for certain builds that maximize straight damage that can seem unbalanced, but it takes a pretty willing DM to give you a Vorpal Glaive, or Nine Lives Stealing bolts. Done right, TWF can bring a heroic flavor to the table that isn't quite there for a glorified palace guard.

 

[Zyphoidz]

Additional question I never see asked about this feat:

Can the bonus attack target a different target than your normal attack?

Thanks, new to forums.

 

[PnPgamer]

Additional question I never see asked about this feat:

Can the bonus attack target a different target than your normal attack?

Thanks, new to forums.

Yes it can. Nothing states in the feat that you must use it on the same target.