Barbarians & Whirlwind Attack while Raging?

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Does a barbarian lose the benefits of the Whirlwind Attack feat when he rages? (b/c he loses Combat Expertise, which is a requirement for WWA).

 

[Mouseferatu]

I don't believe so. Whirlwind Attack requires the character have Combat Expertise, not that he be able to use it at the moment. A raging barbarian doesn't lose the feat; he simply cannot make use of it at the time.

 

[Crothian]

I see it as the mouse, they don't lose the feat just can't use it. But they can make use of feats that require the feat they can't use.

 

[Legildur]

This question first arose under 3,0e. I'm can't recall if the FAQ or Sage advice dealt with it, but certainly Hypersmurf did (twice at least). In short, a raging Barbarian could still utilise feats which had Combat Expertise (or Expertise in 3.0e) as a prerequisite.

 

[Stalker0]

Whirlwind also requires Int 13 specifically...isn't there something about not using int based feats?

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Whirlwind also requires Int 13 specifically...isn't there something about not using int based feats?

No, but there is something about using Int-based skills, which is what you were probably thinking of.

While raging, a barbarian cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except for Balance, Escape Artist, Intimidate, and Ride), the Concentration skill, or any abilities that require patience or concentration, nor can he cast spells or activate magic items that require a command word, a spell trigger (such as a wand), or spell completion (such as a scroll) to function. He can use any feat he has except Combat Expertise, item creation feats, and metamagic feats.

So, the question is: If you can't "use" Combat Expertise while raging, can you "use" it to qualify for things like Spring Attack?

 

[Sejs]

You can still WWA. You don't lose Combat Expertise, you just can't use it. You still have the feat, and that's what matters as far as pre-reqs are concerned.

 

[Saeviomagy]

I just have to ask.

What sort of DM wants to deny a barbarian the use of his WWA? I mean really.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

The same type of DM who would deny the use of Combat Expertise.