Expertise and Power Attack at the same time?

[Kershek]

Can you use Expertise and Power Attack at the same time? That would mean double-tapping your to-hit to give you more AC and more damage. Would you consider this as using opposite effects and not compatible, or would you say it's possible because the PHB doesn't explicitly state otherwise?

 

[Kraedin]

Yes, it's possible. You won't be able to hit anything, but it's possible.

 

[Negative Zero]

sure it is. as a DM, i'd even allow you to use the same BAB points to do it. e.g. if your BAB was +5 you could use that +5 twice, gaining a +5 to your AC AND to your damage. to the best of my knowldge, nowhere in the PHB does it say that either feat uses up your BAB. others may disagree though, correct me if i'm wrong.

~NegZ

 

[Deset Gled]

i'd even allow you to use the same BAB points to do it.

To be technical, you aren't "spending" you BAB to get the bonus. The text for power attack says that you may "subtract a number" of up to your BAB, and expertise says that you can "take a penalty". Because of this, you could get a bonus to damage and AC that totals higher than you BAB, but would face a negative modifier on you attack role.

Example:
A level 5 Fighter attacks, using both Power Attack and Expertise to the max.

Attack = d20 + 5 (BAB) + -5 (expertise) + -5 (power attack) = d20 -5 total

 

[Stalker0]

I've never actually thought of it like that, I think I'll just stick with what I've been using, that each takes its own share of BAB.

If your players try to go massive power attack and expertise, just remember it gets REALLY easy to disarm and sunder them now

 

[Pielorinho]

In any case, it's a pretty funny image, a fighter making wild overhand blows while squirming and jumping out of the way of anything that comes at him. I imagine him with his eyes screwed just and the tip of his tongue sticking out of the corner of his mouth as he flails away around him.

Daniel

 

[Stalker0]

In any case, it's a pretty funny image, a fighter making wild overhand blows while squirming and jumping out of the way of anything that comes at him. I imagine him with his eyes screwed just and the tip of his tongue sticking out of the corner of his mouth as he flails away around him.

Daniel

Sounds like a tempest to me

By hey with a 5 percent chance and all those swings, might as well just go for it right?

 

[Antikinesis]

A good tactic for a fighter with access to True Strike.

-AK

 

[zorlag]

-

Hilarious with Power Attack, Expertise and Superior Expertise. +20 to damage and AC and -40 to hit

Z.

 

[Kershek]

If your players try to go massive power attack and expertise, just remember it gets REALLY easy to disarm and sunder them now

Why? using those feats don't change the actual BAB of your character.