Does everyone take Superior Weapon Proficiencies?

[nittanytbone]

Its value is highly situational. Generally, Superior Weapon Prof is best when:

- Most of your powers deal [W] damage.
- You have powers that deal multiple [W] damage.
- There aren't other feats you want.
- Your encounters tend to be shorter, so your ratio of At Will Attacks to Encounter Power Attacks is lower -- this could be a function of DM encounter design or party composition (i.e., you have a warlord to make encounters fast and brutal).

So, I'd say Avenging Paladins, some fighters (especially great weapon fighters), some rogues, most melee rangers, and some warlords/battle clerics will be interested.

If you assume that most fights last 6 rounds then superior weapon prof is worth about 4.05 extra damage at level 1. But at level 10 its worth 6.95 extra damage -- almost twice as much.

LEVEL 1 = 4.05 damage
1 * encounter power for 2W (+2 damage) * 65% to hit = 1.3
5 * at will powers for 1W (+1 damage) * 55% to hit = 2.75

LEVEL 10 = 6.95
3 * encounter powers for 2W (+2 damage) * 65% to hit = 3.9
1 * daily power for 3W (+3 damage) * 65% to hit = 1.95
2 * at will powers for 1W (+1 damage) * 55% to hit = 1.1

 

[MacMathan]

IMC out of 5 players (Fighter, Cleric, Warlord, Rogue and Warlock) so far only the Rogue has gone with a weapon feat to use a rapier.

 

[Solodan]

Part of the reason is that Superior weapon training is a level one or none type feat - you either start with it or don't get it at all (usually).

Also, since AV is fairly new, the feat also is a great one to try out the new shiny stuff with.

I'm guessing over time we'll see less and less as new heroic feats are introduced that are "cooler" than just an increase in weapon die.

 

[Gruns]

None here

The group I DM for only consists of 3 PCs, but they're all melee types: Eladrin TacLord, Dragonborn Paladin, Halfling Rogue. So far none of them have expressed any interest at all in Superior Weapons. Maybe they'e waiting for the later levels when powers have more [W]'s in them to matter, but I doubt it. Paragon seems to have too many other interesting/useful feats to fill up with.
As it turns out, I'd be hard pressed to find a feat among them they all three of them have! One multiclassed, one took Ritual Caster, one has Durable, I think two took Toughness... etc... The point being, I wouldn't say there is a generic feat in 4E that is a must have for everyone. (Although I personally am a fan of Toughness).
Later!
Gruns

 

[Milambus]

The group I DM for only consists of 3 PCs, but they're all melee types: Eladrin TacLord, Dragonborn Paladin, Halfling Rogue.

What weapon is your Eladrin TacLord using?

Eladrin Solider with Greatspear is pretty much the best weapon choice for him. Reach, +3 prof, 1d10 + 2 damage.

My human TacLord just took prof with Greatspear (previously he was using a Spiked Chain).

 

[Gruns]

TacLord Weaponry

What weapon is your Eladrin TacLord using?

Eladrin Solider with Greatspear is pretty much the best weapon choice for him. Reach, +3 prof, 1d10 + 2 damage.

My human TacLord just took prof with Greatspear (previously he was using a Spiked Chain).

"She" just uses a longsword and light shield. I tried to convince her that Greatspear was well, superior, but she insists on carrying the shield.
She also just swapped out Eladrin Soldier for some other feat, since most of the time her standard action is her telling the rogue to sneak attack something, instead of her actually attacking.
The rogue intends to take the Daggermaster PP, so he's never going to go with a Superior Weapon. And the paladin would rather spend his feats on mostly useless stuff such as Ritual Caster, Dragonborn Senses and the like. (This is the same player that had a Sorcerer in 3.5 and chose Jump and Spider Climb as his two lvl 1 spells...)
Later!
Gruns

 

[elecgraystone]

The rogue intends to take the Daggermaster PP, so he's never going to go with a Superior Weapon.

He could always pick up an offhand defensive weapon, like a parrying dagger. A +1AC for a feat isn't bad.

 

[Ibixat]

He could always pick up an offhand defensive weapon, like a parrying dagger. A +1AC for a feat isn't bad.

That wouldn't be too bad, if you have 13 strength you can grab light shield for 1 ac and reflex though and then shield spec in paragon for 2 ac and reflex total and still be able to use the hand if needed for climbing and the like.

 

[elecgraystone]

*Shrug* Parrying dagger and two weapon defense give you +2 ac and +1 ref defense, you don't need the 13 strength and you can get it in the heroic tier.

 

[luide]

She also just swapped out Eladrin Soldier for some other feat, since most of the time her standard action is her telling the rogue to sneak attack something, instead of her actually attacking.

How is this actually working?
Considering that you only get melee basic attack (based on str, not dex) with both the Commanders Strike or Opening Shove AND that you can only deal Sneak Attack damage once per round (excluding some PP's), I can't really see this being too effective tactic except in very specific circumstances.

Like if Rogue was a Brutal Scoundrel with str at least 14-16 and having missed with his attack previously in same round.