Combat Expertise and Power Attack
- Thread starter rvalle
- Start date
Rystil Arden
First Post
No, nothing stops you.
It seems like it'd be all over the place. You'd have a guy dodging about sacrificing accuracy for defense, and at the same time making wild swings that were sacrificing accuracy for power.
I'd probably still limit it to BAB though. That's the first thought that pops in my head. So a 5th level fighter couldn't put 5 into Power and 5 into Expertise, but he could split his total of 5 between the two. Not that putting 5 and 5 would be that unbalancing, seeings how little you'd be hitting, but its just that its a resource. You can't sacrifice accuracy (BAB) for more than one thing at a time. (Also, combined with True Strike on a Charge, letting someone go whole hog on both seems too good to be true.)
I've always wanted to play a character like this though. I like adaptable fighter-types.
I'd probably still limit it to BAB though. That's the first thought that pops in my head. So a 5th level fighter couldn't put 5 into Power and 5 into Expertise, but he could split his total of 5 between the two. Not that putting 5 and 5 would be that unbalancing, seeings how little you'd be hitting, but its just that its a resource. You can't sacrifice accuracy (BAB) for more than one thing at a time. (Also, combined with True Strike on a Charge, letting someone go whole hog on both seems too good to be true.)
I've always wanted to play a character like this though. I like adaptable fighter-types.
crazy_monkey1956
First Post
"The Hobgoblin Fighter squares off against the four adventurers with a sneer. Noting the charging barbarian he sidesteps, narrowly avoiding the gleaming greataxe (CE dodge bonus in effect). Assessing the situation a moment longer, he steps away from the barbarian, narrowly avoiding another swing from the barbarian (AoO, CE dodge again) and heads for the human with the holy symbol, hoping to neutralize the group's spellcasting ability with one powerful blow. His longsword makes a hissing noise through the air as he puts all his strength behind it, though still wary of the nearby rogue (PA + CE). His strike connects, despite his divided attention and the cleric crumples to the floor. The rogue lines up a careful throw with his dagger and the blade slides through the hobgoblin's defenses, though the hobgoblin asseses it as only a minor wound. Then the adventurer's sorcerer lets loose with a bolt of magical energy impossible for the hobgoblin to avoid. Seriously wounded now, the hobgoblin reassesses his battle strategy and goes on the defensive, preparing to flee from the battle. Unfortunately for him, the barbarian charges again, connecting this time and ending the hobgoblin's evil existence."
That's how would use those two feats in conjunction.
That's how would use those two feats in conjunction.
Well, that'd be like going full Expertise for a couple of rounds and then switching it up and going full Power. But if you were going 2 in Expertise and 2 in Power in the same round, you'd be swinging (slightly more) wildly while remaining (slightly more) defensive. It would be more dramatic with a higher level fighter, like a 10th level fighter caught without his armor going 5 and 5 Power Attack/Expertise trying to clear a bunch of nuisance goblins out of his way.
Brother MacLaren
Explorer
There is one reason to be cautious about letting people use both for a total penalty exceeding BAB. It's the "only hit a 20" case. Let's say you're going really defensive against a high-AC opponent. You're only going to hit on a 20 anyway, so you may as well Power Attack for full. In this case, you're not sacrificing ANY accuracy for the increased damage from Power Attack. Your chance to hit remains at 5%.
Or, if you are Power Attacking for full to breach DR but can only hit on a 20, you may as well go Combat Expertise and Fighting Defensively. You aren't sacrificing any accuracy for your defense.
Now, in either case, you will be feeling that penalty if an opponent tries a disarm or sunder on you.
Or, if you are Power Attacking for full to breach DR but can only hit on a 20, you may as well go Combat Expertise and Fighting Defensively. You aren't sacrificing any accuracy for your defense.
Now, in either case, you will be feeling that penalty if an opponent tries a disarm or sunder on you.
the Jester
Legend
No reason you can't use them together. I even have an epic feat imc involving using both at once. 
Victim
First Post
phindar said:
No, because that assumes after the fact that the round the character lands his good blow is the round he changes from expertise to power attack. But a player making the decisions on how much attack focus to drop doesn't know how he'll roll. So both strategies have to be in use. When the character gets lucky and hits despite the attack penalty, then that when the opportunity appears (pretty much by definition).
The creature I'm thinking about in particular is this: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/demon.htm#marilith
With a BAB of +16 and about 10 attacks a round on a full attack she has a lot to play with.
Very nice description crazypixie.
rv
With a BAB of +16 and about 10 attacks a round on a full attack she has a lot to play with.
Very nice description crazypixie.
rv
