Basic Attacks

[Artos]

Hi everyone, I understand this is a completely moronic question, but is it even possible, officially, to make a basic attack without using a power? I mean can I simply have my human fighter swing a sword to make an attack? I just got the books, and haven't really had a chance to look at it, but I'm wondering for the creation of my character and choosing powers. Thanks.

-Chris

 

[Contents May Vary]

Yes. Just use the basic attack.

 

[pogminky]

Yes. but why'd you want to?

 

[greatamericanfolkher]

Yes. but why'd you want to?

That’s my question as well. This edition gives you awesome powers, why not use them? I guarantee that your enemies will.

 

[Family]

Charge.

 

[Cheesepie]

Chaaaaaaaaaarge!!

Sorry, I had to.

 

[Irda Ranger]

Charge.

Also, opportunity attack.

 

[Cadfan]

Alright, to give the OP a bit more thorough of an explanation:

Your basic attack is your default. It non power attacks, charging, opportunity attacks, basic melee attacks granted to you by a power or by an ally's power, and all sorts of other things.

You won't use it as your primary combat attack, though, because that's what at will powers are for.

BUT! At will powers are often just your basic melee attack with an added class specific benefit. For example, Cleave is a fighter's basic melee attack, plus cleaving. Tide of Iron is a fighter's basic melee attack, plus pushing.

See?

 

[tafkamhokie]

There could certainly be cases where you would choose to.

Say there is only one monster left...Cleave does you no good.

Say it is a snake or an ooze...then a power that knocks it prone does you no good.

Say you have it quite nicely flanked...then you don't really want to push it out of the flank.

For the most part, you want to use an at-will power instead of a basic attack. But I can certainly see cases where every power you have is either impossible or disadvantageous to use.

 

[Evenglare]

Not to be ... uh... picky, but a basic attack is an at will power..

Page 287 PHB. Heh.