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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mike Sullivan" data-source="post: 961445" data-attributes="member: 9824">I think it might be time for everyone to get a grip on monster use of 3.5 PA.A Fire Giant (CR 10) attacks with a Huge Greatsword at +20/+15/+10 for 2d8+15 damage.A tenth level sword-and-board fighter in Full Plate +2 with a Large Shield +2 (either or both possibly from Magic Vestment) and with a 12 Dexterity has an AC of 25.Under 3.0 Power Attack, it never makes any sense for the Fire Giant to PA against the AC 25 fighter, whether it's making a full or partial attack.Under 3.5 Power Attack,For a full attack:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> With no PA, it works like this:  Hits on a 5+, Hits on a 10+, Hits on a 15+, average 26.4 damage per hit = 43.56 damage If the Fire Giant PA's for 1, it works like this:  Hits on a 6+, Hits on a 11+, Hits on a 16+, average 28.6 damage = 42.9 damage...  </li> </ul>even using 3.5 PA, there's no reason for the Fire Giant to PA with full attack against the fighter!For a partial attack:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> With now PA, it works like this:  Hits on a 5+, average 26.4 damage per hit = 21.12 damage If the Fire Giant PA's for 1, it works like this:  Hits on a 6+, average 28.6 damage = 21.45 damage If the Fire Giant PA's for 2, it works like this:  Hits on a 7+, average 30.8 damage = 21.56 damage If the Fire Giant PA's for 2, it works like this:  Hits on an 8+, average 33 damage = 21.45 damage</li> </ul>So yeah, 3.5 benefits the Fire Giant partial attacking -- to the tune of a fractional amount of expected increase in HP damage.Yes, lower-AC opponents will be more adversely affected.  That's the price they pay for having a larger amount of damage potential themselves.Maybe I'll do a fuller analysis tomorrow.  I'm up way too late.</blockquote>

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