(Been done, I know) What is with Quick Draw?

[Magius del Cotto]

Well, there's something that's just kinda cool about a character that can goad his enemies in by seeming unarmed, and when they get within range whips out his (preferably really, really big) weapon and cleaves them in twain. Pretty intimidating, no?

 

[frog]

The most satisfying use of Quickdraw that I have ever had was when we were surrounded by guards of the "Evil Guy" and he told them to dispose of us as he turned and rode away. Since we had not been disarmed, Quickdraw and Cleave allowed me to down two of them before they could draw a breath.

Having said that, I have to watch Quickdraw closely in the game that I DM. If I don't then I would have people using it as a "kewl I get any weapon I want at any time" feat.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

I have some trouble believing that people have found Quickdraw to be such a problem in their campaigns that they have to limit it or watch its use.

As a feat, it is useful but only within a specific, limited range of circumstances and even then, it isn't a power feat like Quicker than the Eye, Expert Tactician, Knockdown, etc which rapidly get out of hand if the revised text of the feat isn't strictly enforced.

Most issues that could arise from quickdraw seem like they would be more appropriately dealt with by enforcing encumberance rules or placing some limit on the number of items which can readily be kept in sheathes/readily available.

Seriously, have any of you actually had problems stemming from the abuse of quickdraw?

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

Just to vary the topic...am I right in thinking that <i>as written in Sword and Fist</i> the Knockdown feat is stupidly good?

I mean, I'm a high level fighter, I have a base damage of greater than +10, every time I hit you I get to trip you, and since I have to have improved trip to get Knockdown if I sucessfully trip you I get a bonus attack? Whut?

What's the corrected text on that?

Oh, and Quickdraw is most useful for 2 Weapon fighters and Archers. But I can also see it's use for mages.

 

[the Jester]

No problems here....

I not only haven't had any problems with quickdraw, I've added a feat chain based on it. Here you go:

QUICK-STRIKE (General, Fighter)
You know how to initiate battle with astonishing speed.
Prerequisites: Improved Initiative, Quickdraw
Benefit: In the first round of combat your initiative is treated just as if you had rolled a 20. Roll normally the second round.

HIDDEN THREAT (General, Fighter)
You are unusually capable of quickly drawing and striking when enemies leave you an opening.
Prerequisites: Base attack +3, Quickdraw
Benefit: If you have a melee weapon that you are proficient in on your person in easy reach, you may make attacks of opportunity as if you were armed with that weapon (for purposes of threatened area and such). You may only use this feat with melee weapons with a normal (5’ for medium or small creatures) reach.