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Message: <blockquote data-quote="airwalkrr" data-source="post: 3297279" data-attributes="member: 12460">As anyone who knows me probably already realizes, I am no big fan of Power Attack. In fact, I think it is one of the best ideas in the game albiet with a horrible implementation. I've made several attempts to remedy this over the years, but none ever struck me as solving each of the problems.1) Power Attack is occassionally useful when using a one-handed weapon, but incredible when using a two-handed weapon.2) Numerous abilities in newer supplements have ways to augment Power Attack, making it even better (and thus more problematic). E.g. Shock Trooper, Exotic Weapon Master, and Leap Attack to name a few.3) Power Attack works the same no matter the size of the creature using it. That makes no sense at all. A Colossal creature should get a greater benefit for throwing caution to the wind since there is far more momentum behind his swing.4) Power Attack damage is multiplied on a critical hit. For normal weapons with one-handed weapon-wielders this is usually fairly reasonable. With two-handed weapon wielders with high critical multipliers (scythe, I'm looking in your direction), the damage becomes obscene. A scythe is essentially a vorpal weapon at higher levels; when I get a critical hit with a scythe, I get +8 damage for each -1 to my attack roll. That's +80 damage at 10th level! One-hit kills can be fun, but they can also be anti-climactic. "Hmm, the barbarian just critted the BBEG with a scythe on the first round. That wasn't a very scary BBEG."5) While most feats grant the same benefit regardless of character level, Power Attack increases in potential benefit with each level. You can get +1 damage at 1st level but +10 at 10th level.6) Some players (especially those who aren't good at math) take forever deciding how many points to Power Attack for. It would be nice if the mechanic was simpler and didn't involve as much math.Well, I think I have come up with a way to solve all of these problems with a simple tip from the Powerful Charge feat. You will notice a lot of similarities between this version of Power Attack and Powerful Charge. As an optional rule, the Improved Power Attack feat is also available.1) Power Attack is now variable, and thus potentially more useful or less useful depending on the roll. The relative benefit is lessened for using a two-handed weapon, but still significant.2) Abilities that augment Power Attack now simply treat you as one size category larger when using the feat. Still a benefit, but not usually as much of an increase in raw damage unless you are a very big creature.3) Bigger creatures get a bigger benefit from the feat, but not necessarily an obscene one since they can only use it with one set of weapons.4) Because the damage bonus is now bonus dice, it is no longer multiplied on a critical hit.5) Power Attack now gives the same benefit regardless of character level, which depreciates in value as the character increases in level. As a low-level feat of a feat chain, this is exactly how it should work.6) Power Attack is now a static penalty and a variable bonus that is probably easier to add since it is a die and you don't have to recalculate your modifier.So take a look at the feats below and tell me what you think.POWER ATTACK [GENERAL]Prerequisite: Str 13, Medium or larger, base attack bonus +4.Benefit: On your action, before making attack rolls for a round, you may choose to subtract 4 from all melee attack rolls and add an extra 1d8 points of damage (if it is of Medium size). For Large creatures, the extra damage is 2d6 points; for Huge, 3d6; for Gargantuan, 4d6; and for Colossal, 6d6. The penalty on attacks and bonus on damage apply until your next turn.Special: If you attack with a two-handed weapon, or with a one-handed weapon wielded in two hands, you are treated as one size category larger (a Colossal creature deals 8d6 points of damage with a two-handed weapon). You can’t add the bonus from Power Attack to the damage dealt with a light weapon (except with unarmed strikes or natural weapon attacks), even though the penalty on attack rolls still applies. (Normally, you treat a double weapon as a one-handed weapon and a light weapon. If you choose to use a double weapon like a two-handed weapon, attacking with only one end of it in a round, you treat it as a two-handed weapon.)You are limited to one attack routine when using this feat. You may still fight with two weapons, but a creature with natural weapons may only use one type of natural weapon (such as claws, wings, or bite) when it uses this feat.A fighter may select Power Attack as one of his fighter bonus feats.IMPROVED POWER ATTACK [GENERAL]Prerequisite: Str 15, Medium or larger, base attack bonus +8.Benefit: When using the Power Attack feat, you may instead choose to subtract 8 from all melee attack rolls and treat yourself as one size category larger for the purposes of calculating extra damage from Power Attack (a Colossal creature deals 8d6 points of damage).Special: This benefit stacks with that granted by the benefit for attacking with a two-handed weapon or with a one-handed weapon wielded in two hands (a Colossal creature deals 12d6 points of damage).A fighter may select Improved Power Attack as one of his fighter bonus feats.</blockquote>

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