"All Power Attack, All the Time?"

[Jeff Wilder]

I've seen several people mention that when they use Power Attack, they use it at "full;" i.e., converting all of their BAB to damage. Unless I'm missing something subtle, this is a serious tactic.

Why would people do this? There's a demonstrably optimum amount to Power Attack, when the goal is to maxmize damage against a given AC, and that number is usually fairly small. So what's with APAATT?

 

[Piratecat]

It's great for certain character concepts, especially half-orc barbarians. It's also great fun if you're a patient guy. I'm not sure I could do it, myself; my tactical side would keep twitching.

This would work best with a PC who has a lot of non-BAB bonuses to hit. Strength, magic, insight (like a psi-warrior). . . all these would make the concept a lot more feasible.

 

[diaglo]

So what's with APAATT?

it is fun. read the story hour in my sig. the first 10 pages or so. i played a half-elf barbarian.

i used APAATT.

when you hit there is nothing like racking up huge tallies for damage.

 

[Numion]

I've seen several people mention that when they use Power Attack, they use it at "full;" i.e., converting all of their BAB to damage. Unless I'm missing something subtle, this is a serious tactic.

Why would people do this? There's a demonstrably optimum amount to Power Attack, when the goal is to maxmize damage against a given AC, and that number is usually fairly small. So what's with APAATT?

I don't know why one would use such a tactic all the time, but it does give a higher possible maximum damage. So if you're one round away from a TPK and need a big hit on the opponent to down it, you might opt for maximum power attack instead of maximizing expected damage (which is the normal definition of optimal PA amount).

Likewise if an opponent is on its last HPs the optimum amount of PA is zero to guarantee the hit and kill, rather than the amount that optimizes expected damage.

 

[diaglo]

I don't know why one would use such a tactic all the time, but it does give a higher possible maximum damage. So if you're one round away from a TPK and need a big hit on the opponent to down it, you might opt for maximum power attack instead of maximizing expected damage (which is the normal definition of optimal PA amount).

Likewise if an opponent is on its last HPs the optimum amount of PA is zero to guarantee the hit and kill, rather than the amount that optimizes expected damage.

it has nothing to do with analyzing maximum or optimal damage. it has to do with fun.

 

[Henry]

As Piratecat noted, because it's FUN. (Emphasis on the "fun.")

It's a great feeling to plow through your enemy with a hellacious power attack, and almost as much fun to describe the miss.

The thing is, there is an optimum value, but it's also not accounting for personal luck. You don't have to be lucky on every swing, just the one that counts. and if you are the lucky sod who manages to CRIT on that power attack, it makes for one awesome story to tell later on.

 

[Numion]

it has nothing to do with analyzing maximum or optimal damage. it has to do with fun.

Different people find different things fun, is all

 

[Thanee]

Not all the time, but when I use power attack I normally use either 0 or max.
Of course, I am quite aware, that this is not the optimum route.
OTOH, I normally do not know the AC of an opponent.
I just try to think in terms of looks easy to hit and looks hard to hit.

Yeah, it's mostly for fun.

Bye
Thanee

 

[WizarDru]

Different people find different things fun, is all

Oh, you'd like us to believe that, wouldn't you?

I'm wise to your tricks, mister.

 

[Piratecat]

Want to scare your players, DMs? Use this tactic for a bad guy and make sure to describe the misses as well as the hits. Guaranteed they'll take him down as quickly as they possibly can.