Feat: First Strike

[Sir Whiskers]

@Whiskers: The feat says "You do not gain this attack if the only movement your target makes is a five-foot-step.", ergo you are wrong. Luckily, that is.

Oops - missed that. Thanks for pointing it out.

which is part of ready action automaticlly and dosent require a feat.

True, but my suggestion means a character could do so when the opponent moves before him/her in the round. Ready an action only works if the readying character goes first. Not sure that would be worth the cost of a feat, though.

Concerning the original feat idea, I'm still not comfortable with a character getting a free shot just because an opponent comes within range - I'd have to see it played to be sure it's not too powerful.

 

[Prothall]

Sounds dandy to me. I like it. What's this movie, in any case?

 

[Shadeus]

Hmm, Whiskers has a good point. Maybe only allow it once per combat. Also, this feat would negate the advantage of Spring Attack, but again if you have that advantage once per combat, then maybe it's alright.

 

[hong]

Hmm, Whiskers has a good point. Maybe only allow it once per combat.

Eh. 1) that makes it pretty useless; 2) I can't think of any in-game reason why it should be limited to once per combat.

Also, this feat would negate the advantage of Spring Attack, but again if you have that advantage once per combat, then maybe it's alright.

Why would it negate Spring Attack?

Sounds dandy to me. I like it. What's this movie, in any case?

Zatoichi: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363226/

This is only the latest of ~25 movies about the blind masseur. He's a real pulp hero.

 

[Darklone]

Would tumble allow you to avoid the AoO? Otoh, it looks a lot like Hold the Line, but much stronger.

 

[hong]

Would tumble allow you to avoid the AoO?

Why not?

Otoh, it looks a lot like Hold the Line, but much stronger.

Why?

 

[Sir Whiskers]

Why not?

This is something I hadn't thought of - by defining the free attack as an AoO, any feat or ability that negates AoO's would negate the feat. That serves to weaken it slightly, which (IMO) makes it a bit more balanced. Keep in mind, though, that Combat Reflexes would allow this special AoO even when flat-footed, which could be extremely useful.

 

[Shadeus]

Why would it negate Spring Attack?

In the feat you specify the character can make an attack:

You can make an attack of opportunity on a target that enters a space you threaten.

So if warriorA (with the feat) is standing 20' from warriorB. WarriorB gets initiative and moves 20' to WarriorA and tries to attack him. It looks like at this point WarriorA gets an attack against WarriorB because he is now standing in a square threatened by warriorA.

If that's true, let's continue the above example where WarriorB has Speed 30 and Spring Attack. WarriorB's intent is to move up 20', attack, and spring back 10'. Regardless if his movement draws an AoO (which is doesn't because of Spring Attack), WarriorA still gets that attack on him when he enters the square.

That being said, I think its powerful, but workable. They should be SOME defense against those annoying monks with Spring Attack.

 

[rrealm]

Just saw Zatoichi. If you know of whom I speak, you'll know what inspired this.


FIRST STRIKE [martial arts]

Your speed of reaction in combat is exceptional.

Prerequisites: Quick Draw, Combat Reflexes, BAB +6

Benefit: You can make an attack of opportunity on a target that enters a space you threaten. This attack is resolved after the target enters that space, but before it continues movement or takes other actions. The attack counts as an attack of opportunity due to movement, so (for example) you cannot make two attacks of opportunity on someone who enters and then leaves a space you threaten. You do not gain this attack if the only movement your target makes is a five-foot-step.

Normal: Attacks of opportunity due to movement can only be made on a target that leaves a space you threaten.


I'm sure it's been done before, but what the hell. Also, I'm aware that two people who both have this feat and know about it could potentially spend the next ten years not willing to close with each other, but I'm okay with that.

Too strong? Too weak?

I would keep the need for Quick Draw and also add Improved Initiative and changed the BAB to +8. Reason being, every enemy that ever approaches you in melee is going to have an attack against him and there is extremly little that they can do about it. I see it as a great feat in include in the game. I would personally make it a little more difficult to accquire though.

Since this feat requires Combat Reflexes, it can be used while flat footed correct?

 

[Sir Whiskers]

This feat requires Combat Reflexes, it can be used while flat footed correct?

That's how I read it. First Strike allows an AoO, which Combat Reflexes allows while flat-footed.

I would keep the need for Quick Draw and also add Improved Initiative and changed the BAB to +8. Reason being, every enemy that ever approaches you in melee is going to have an attack against him and there is extremly little that they can do about it. I see it as a great feat in include in the game. I would personally make it a little more difficult to accquire though.

If I understand what you're saying, the feat would have prereqs of Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Quick Draw, and BAB +8.

I like this idea. It means that a fighter can't get the feat until 8th-level and it would require a few extra feats to do so. And by the time characters are 8th-level, the extra attack First Strike gives isn't too much. YMMV, but I think this is a good balance for the feat.