Can 2+ feats be used on the same attack?

[Gothmog]

This last weekend while we were gaming, a question popped up as to whether 2 or more feats could be used together on the same attack. The example we had come up was power attack + whirlwind attack. It really seems like this is overkill, but the rules don't seem to say anything about it. What is the right way to do this?

Second, if a character has a passive feat that grants a +1 morale bonus to Will saves, but has another feat that when activated grants a +4 morale bonus to Will saves, the two feats do not stack, correct?

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[dcollins]

The general answer is "it depends" -- if use of the feats in question require spending actions, then most likely they could not be used at the same time.

Power Attack and Whirlwind Attack are not limited in this way, however. Power Attack doesn't require spending an action or any other limitation, so you're free to use it at the same time as anything else.

And you're right -- multiple morale bonuses do not stack. (This is true regardless of whether one is "passive" or "active" or any other combination.)

 

[Maitre Du Donjon]

1) There is no rule that says you can't use 2 feats at the same time. So, yes, you can use power attack and whirlwind attack at the same time. Sounds like overkill, but you actually have a LOT of prerequisites to be able to use both those feats!

2) Bonus with same descriptors do not stack, with the exception of unnamed bonuses and dodge bonuses, i believe.

Maitre D

 

[trentonjoe]

The general answer is "it depends" -- if use of the feats in question require spending actions, then most likely they could not be used at the same time.

I vote for depends or most of the time. Power attack and whirlwind would be fine imo but I wouldn't allow power attack and expertise.

 

[Maitre Du Donjon]

but I wouldn't allow power attack and expertise.

Why not? The attack penalties would stack. I know it's hard to imagine someone who is fighting defensively (not as the special combat move) and who is trying to hit his enemy harder and more recklessly, but it shouldn't be impossible to do...

Maitre D

 

[trentonjoe]

it's hard to imagine someone who is fighting defensively (not as the special combat move) and who is trying to hit his enemy harder and more recklessly

THis just doesn't pass the TrentonJoe makes sense test.

Definsively reckless doesn't work for me.

 

[Coredump]

Sure, it's the "wait for it... wait for it... NOW!" concept. You are just defending and defending, looking for that one knock-out punch. Makes it less likely that you will ever get a chance to hit him, but when you do.....

For flavor, I think of the 'misses' as times when the character 'would' have had a chance to swing, but didn't since he was being defensive. (oh, missed a chance...)

 

[Baron Von StarBlade]

THis just doesn't pass the TrentonJoe makes sense test.

Definsively reckless doesn't work for me.

Sure it does, you're holding back for that one opening to hit the target really hard.

 

[Benben]

What about whirlwind attack coupled with a disarm attempt?

or

Whirlwind sundering of weapons?

 

[ruleslawyer]

...if use of the feats in question require spending actions, then most likely they could not be used at the same time.

This is the key phrase to keep in mind.

Use of many feats comes under the "not an action" heading. That means that a character can use as many of these feats as s/he wants. Are we going to restrict a character's "use" of the save feats to a certain number of saves per round?

Finally, I certainly allow use of both Expertise and Power Attack in the same action. Power Attack doesn't need to be seen as "reckless attack"; it could just as easily be seen as "precise attack." So let's say you're looking for an opportunity to called-shot a foe for additional damage, while also keeping an especial eye on defense. Sure, that'll lead to heavy penalties when eventually you do attack (represented by the cumulative attack penalties for using Expertise and PA), but I don't think the action should be impossible to take.