A bit of confusion over Iaijutsu focus skill..

[Bodah]

The skill says the damage is applied immediately after drawing a weapon when the opponent is flat footed. Does this mean that it applies to all attacks in that round (if the character has multiple attacks) that the weapon was drawn in? Or does it literally mean immediately.. like the first attack made after the weapon was drawn?

 

[Black Omega]

You get the Iaijutsu focus bonus on one attack, not all. Though Sneak attack does stack with IF for that first attack. I've not found any errata to suggest otherwise and the FAQ implies without spelling it out that you only get the IF damage on one attack, so that's how I handle it in my game.

 

[Bodah]

I was hoping that was the case. Every attack would have made it ridiculously overpowered and I would have never allowed my player to use it. However with it applying on only one attack its much more reasonable.

 

[Camarath]

I was hoping that was the case. Every attack would have made it ridiculously overpowered and I would have never allowed my player to use it. However with it applying on only one attack its much more reasonable.

You should be aware that the skill applies each time the player draws a weapon and then attacks a flat-footed opponent which could be multiple times in a round if the character is willing to drop his current weapon and draw a new weapon.

 

[Arabesu]

Use of the Iajutsu Focus for each weapon drawn

I guess I interpreted it differently, that is that for each weapon drawn, a separate Iajutsu attack could be made, i.e. if from a two weapon fighter with quick draw.

This won't happen very often, because its rare that you get a full attack action while the opponent is flat footed.

But yeah, if your only wielding one weapon it seems pretty clear that you only get to attack once with your Iajutsu focus.

Edit: uh yeah, what Camarath just posted while I was typing.

 

[Black Omega]

You should be aware that the skill applies each time the player draws a weapon and then attacks a flat-footed opponent which could be multiple times in a round if the character is willing to drop his current weapon and draw a new weapon.

As well as depending on how many weapons the GM will allow you to drop a round. If someone tried to draw and drop four weapons a round in my game I'd just laugh.

The thing that is unclear is if it's a MEA or full round. Iaijutsu doesn't seem to work with Whirlwind attack (inference from the FAQ) but Ki Whirlwind with IF is allowed according to the FAQ. It's just a standard action. Skills rolls can take up time. I just wish they were more specific on this for IF in combat. We know in an Iaijutsu duel, you only get one attack, even with quick draw and multiple weapons.

 

[Camarath]

The thing that is unclear is if it's a MEA or full round. Iaijutsu doesn't seem to work with Whirlwind attack (inference from the FAQ) but Ki Whirlwind with IF is allowed according to the FAQ. It's just a standard action. Skills rolls can take up time. I just wish they were more specific on this for IF in combat. We know in an Iaijutsu duel, you only get one attack, even with quick draw and multiple weapons.

As far as I can see use of the skill is part of the attack and does not require an additional action. Also the first round of an Iaijutsu duel is essentially a surprise round.

 

[Camarath]

As well as depending on how many weapons the GM will allow you to drop a round. If someone tried to draw and drop four weapons a round in my game I'd just laugh.

Would you allow someone to draw and throw four weapons in a round?

 

[Black Omega]

Would you allow someone to draw and throw four weapons in a round?

PHB, page 98. Under the feat Quickdraw "A character who has selected this feat may throw weapons at his full, normal rate of attack."

So, as long as the character has quickdraw, sure. The rules specifically allow for this.

This has nothing to do with making multiple IF focus attacks a round, where the rules side of it is a bit more murky, since the PHB isn't specific on how many free actions you can do a round and dropping an item is a free action. So when the letter of the rules is unclear i go with the spirit of the rules. IF is that scene in a samurai movie where the two samurai stare at each other for 30 seconds then strike and one falls dead. It's also the world record strike that breaks 100 bricks, where the guy stares at his target for a minute then strikes. It's putting all your focus into one strike so you do that strike better.

All IMHO, of course.

 

[Black Omega]

As far as I can see use of the skill is part of the attack and does not require an additional action. Also the first round of an Iaijutsu duel is essentially a surprise round.

Since the rules don't address this particular point, there is nothing to contradict your view. Nor support it.

Much in the exact wording of the skill can be made of 'immediately'. Does that mean the first attack, or the whole round? As I said, I don't think the letter of the rules definitively support any side.

I've been running my present OA game since the OA book came out. So far, in my experience, allowing IF with one attack is powerful but balanced.