Best Classes for Spring Attack

[Plane Sailing]

Somewhat counter-intuitively, spring attack works best for fighters with big two handed swords, and is completely rubbish for dextrous fencers or two weapon fighters.

I think all fighters from about 10-11th level onwards benefit hugely from this feat since (as Elder Basalisk points out) you really, really don't want to be swapping full attacks with melee opponents of that CR. Giants are also particularly nasty to fight because of lots of iterative attacks, a huge attack bonus and huge damage.

Naturally it is also good for rogues and monks, but it is quite a feat investment for them to get hold of it. A rogue might wonder whether it is worth getting dodge and mobility when he could be getting PBS and rapid shot, or TWF and Weapon Finesse... options which have a much more direct effect on their ability to do some real damage once they've tumbled into position.

So I'd expect to see Spring Attack used mostly by fighters, then by barbarians and rogues and monks, then rangers and paladins (it is utterly useless if you are a TWF dude, and paladins eye up nice divine xxx feats), finally arcane and divine casters.

This pattern pretty much matches the way it has gone in my games too.

Cheers

 

[FullTinCan]

Somewhat counter-intuitively, spring attack works best for fighters with big two handed swords, and is completely rubbish for dextrous fencers or two weapon fighters.

I think all fighters from about 10-11th level onwards benefit hugely from this feat since (as Elder Basalisk points out) you really, really don't want to be swapping full attacks with melee opponents of that CR. Giants are also particularly nasty to fight because of lots of iterative attacks, a huge attack bonus and huge damage.

Naturally it is also good for rogues and monks, but it is quite a feat investment for them to get hold of it. A rogue might wonder whether it is worth getting dodge and mobility when he could be getting PBS and rapid shot, or TWF and Weapon Finesse... options which have a much more direct effect on their ability to do some real damage once they've tumbled into position.

So I'd expect to see Spring Attack used mostly by fighters, then by barbarians and rogues and monks, then rangers and paladins (it is utterly useless if you are a TWF dude, and paladins eye up nice divine xxx feats), finally arcane and divine casters.

This pattern pretty much matches the way it has gone in my games too.

Cheers

I will have to agree. I have seen spring attack best used by fighters that need to get a better position. It helps approach creatures with really nasty reach. It also forces creatures with iterative attacks to give up those iterative attacks to hit you.

 

[Voadam]

I have a player in my campaign whose built himself up ala multi-classing with rogue/barbarian/fighter and uses spring attack a lot. Part of the problem in my opinion in his overall ability is that he only has 1 level of rogue, 2 barbarian and 4 fighter. Now he has two attacks, but he always uses spring attack to move away.

What's worse is that he often, sometimes accidentally, leads others right to the spellcasters in the group.

Now to me, I've always seen Spring Attack used by the very quick individuals, like monks, of those who only need one hit, like a mid level rogue flanking, to actually get the most effectiveness out of it.

What are other people's feelings of who best can use spring attack?

I see it as best for people who like to close with big nasty creatures with reach. Avoiding an AoO when closing for melee is nice. If you only get one attack when you close but with full attack bonus power attack is not that bad a choice.

 

[Voadam]

How do you grapple on a spring attack, or would it have any real effect?

Maybe spring in, grapple, and jump back out carrying your victim with you?

If you succeed you stay there grappling them. If the grapple attempt fails you spring back so they don't get a bunch of iterative attacks against you.

 

[Davek]

If you succeed you stay there grappling them. If the grapple attempt fails you spring back so they don't get a bunch of iterative attacks against you.

Ah... You can tell I don't use grapple much

 

[Storminator]

Seems to me Joe, that the guy in yor group has it exactly right. Level of rogue for a bit of sneak attack, some barbarian for rage, and a bunch of fighter for feats. Sounds like a well built PC. Now for leading the foes to the mages, well, perhaps a bit of in character berating is in order!

PS

 

[wheeljack]

I have a player in my campaign whose built himself up ala multi-classing with rogue/barbarian/fighter and uses spring attack a lot. Part of the problem in my opinion in his overall ability is that he only has 1 level of rogue, 2 barbarian and 4 fighter. Now he has two attacks, but he always uses spring attack to move away.

What's worse is that he often, sometimes accidentally, leads others right to the spellcasters in the group.

Now to me, I've always seen Spring Attack used by the very quick individuals, like monks, of those who only need one hit, like a mid level rogue flanking, to actually get the most effectiveness out of it.

What are other people's feelings of who best can use spring attack?

Now just sprinkle in some Dervish from Complete Warrior....

 

[buzzard]

Actually Brigand from Kindom of Kalamar Player's guide makes a great spring attacker. They have approximately fighter BAB as well as some sneak attack (they are rather like a rogue/fighter combo but as a base class). They generally won't take the punishment as front liners, but with hit and run they can lay some serious smack down.

buzzard