Can you use items to qualify for feats?

[Dwarmaj]

I have 10Str cleric that wants to take Power Attack. Can he take it if he has 14Str while wearing his +4 Str belt?

How about epic feats? Can you meet the requirements for those by using items?

 

[green slime]

Yes, you may qualify for a feat by possessing an item.

So your Dwarf may indeed take the power attack feat while wearing the belt.

This also means that he can no longer use the feat, should he loose his belt.

Not too sure what you mean by the ELH question. No item grants you the ability to be Epic, other than virtue of being 21st level. You must be epic level to take an epic level feat.

 

[Bauglir]

This actually leads on to an interesting side effect when stat reducing effects come into play. (One which has never been implemented in any game I've played)

Touch of Idiocy could prove devastating to a tactical fighter. Should the spell take their int below 13, they would lose access to all the Improved x feats, as well as Combat Expertise and Whirlwind Attack. Similarly Ray of Enfeeblement could shut down the Power Attack feat chain..

ouch..

 

[Dwarmaj]

Would you happen to know where in the rules it says that you can/can't use items to qualify for feats?

The epic questions was just an extention of the first question. Many of the feats require 25+ Str or other ability score (in addition to having to be an epic character). Was just curious if a character had to meet the ability score requirement without the use of items.

 

[Henrix]

I think it is at least one of the splatbooks, and some Sage answer, but not even in the FAQ.

 

[green slime]

It is a huge drawback to be reliant on an item to grant you a feat. It just means you are that much easier to take down through the use of various spells, as have been pointed out. It is quite fun to hit players with ray of enfeeblement or shadows. They end up collapsing on the floor, unable to carry themselves, nevermind their adamantine full plate armours and greatswords...

As to Epic Level feats, Str 25+ is rather difficult without the use of items: given 18 starting score, +5 level bonuses means you only have 23 at 21st level, and that you would not qualify until at least 28th level. I feel that the intent was to allow players the use of their items to qualify for further feats. I see no harm in it.

 

[Shallown]

BAuglir that has come up in my games and hurts mlike heck when it happens. I have Dex drained the super speed fighter and he lost not only feats but then PRc abilities becuase he no longer qualified. It can be nasty so care must be taken. Also why the cleric always has restorations on scrolls now and has had to use them mid-battle versus post battle like most groups (ithink) do.

later

 

[Crass]

It is a huge drawback to be reliant on an item to grant you a feat. It just means you are that much easier to take down through the use of various spells, as have been pointed out. It is quite fun to hit players with ray of enfeeblement or shadows. They end up collapsing on the floor, unable to carry themselves, nevermind their adamantine full plate armours and greatswords...

As to Epic Level feats, Str 25+ is rather difficult without the use of items: given 18 starting score, +5 level bonuses means you only have 23 at 21st level, and that you would not qualify until at least 28th level. I feel that the intent was to allow players the use of their items to qualify for further feats. I see no harm in it.

Agreed, excepting books of stat boost like Tome of Clear Thought.

 

[eryndel]

BAuglir that has come up in my games and hurts mlike heck when it happens. I have Dex drained the super speed fighter and he lost not only feats but then PRc abilities becuase he no longer qualified. It can be nasty so care must be taken. Also why the cleric always has restorations on scrolls now and has had to use them mid-battle versus post battle like most groups (ithink) do.

later

What PrCl abilities are you talking about not qualifying? Are you ruling that if you lose the ability to use the feats that qual'ed you into a prestige class, you lose all the class abilities as well? That's a little harsh and I wouldn't rule it that way. Or are you saying there are specific abilities that, say, might enhance the effects of Combat Expertise and, as such, if you can't use CE then you can't use the PrCl enhancements.

I think the latter is appropriate, but I wouldn't use the former. I think the general benefits of the class stem from a long term knowledge of the prereq's, even if a character momentarily loses them.

Just my thoughts,

Werner

 

[Derrick Reeves]

I'm going to make me a Headband of 12th level Fighter.