Fighting Offensively or: how i learned to stop worrying and love the reckless combat

[Felnar]

for a long time i've wondered why everyone got fighting defensively for free, the (feat)poor-man's combat expertise, but there was no power attack counterpart

here's my ideas for feat-free reckless combat:
1) -4 attack for +2 dmg (not stackable with power attack)
1) -4 AC for +2 attack (not stackable with power attack)
2) -4 AC for +2 dmg (not stackable with power attack)
or the idea i just had...
4) +1 attack & +1 dmg for -1 AC & flatfooted till next turn (perhaps with AoOs still allowed against the attacked foe)

pros? cons? why? why not? etc...
anyway, what other ideas have you all brainstormed about an offensive version of fighting defensively?
do you think flatfooted could work as a penalty? (and what benefit should it give)

-Felnar

 

[green slime]

There is another option for reckless combatants, I think its called "Charge".

 

[Pbartender]

for a long time i've wondered why everyone got fighting defensively for free, the (feat)poor-man's combat expertise, but there was no power attack counterpart

here's my ideas for feat-free reckless combat:
1) -4 attack for +2 dmg (not stackable with power attack)
1) -4 AC for +2 attack (not stackable with power attack)
2) -4 AC for +2 dmg (not stackable with power attack)
or the idea i just had...
4) +1 attack & +1 dmg for -1 AC & flatfooted till next turn (perhaps with AoOs still allowed against the attacked foe)

pros? cons? why? why not? etc...
anyway, what other ideas have you all brainstormed about an offensive version of fighting defensively?

You, sir, should take a look through Iron Heroes' combat stunts and challenges.

I've got the basics listed in this handy-dandy Iron Heroes cheat sheet that my players like to use. It's pretty close to what you're looking for, but with a lot more options.

 

[Felnar]

There is another option for reckless combatants, I think its called "Charge".

ya, i looked at charge as a guide: +2 attack for -2 AC and required movement
was hoping to find an alternate penalty to required movement

You, sir, should take a look through Iron Heroes' combat stunts and challenges.

I've got the basics listed in this handy-dandy Iron Heroes cheat sheet that my players like to use. It's pretty close to what you're looking for, but with a lot more options.

ya, i really should look at it and Conan d20 too
except i'm having a hard time dropping that much money on a product sight unseen
... but one of these days

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Why not... -4 to AC, +2 to damage, Draws AoO ?

 

[Pbartender]

ya, i really should look at it and Conan d20 too
except i'm having a hard time dropping that much money on a product sight unseen
... but one of these days

That's why I posted a link to my cheat sheet... It's got everything you'd need to run IH-style stunts and challenges as a house rule.

Also... You just missed the IH rulebook on PDF at RPGNow for $5. But... An errata-included version of the PDF will soon be going back up on RPGNow for $15, I believe. Keep an eye out for it.

 

[Felnar]

Why not... -4 to AC, +2 to damage, Draws AoO ?

is draws AoO necessary?

Pbartender - i'll keep an eye out

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

You were asking for an alternate penalty to movement.. it would put this near-par with the charge mechanics while providing an incentive to not use it...well, recklessly. Against CR equivilent encounters Fighting Offensively would be a trade of a bit more damage given for a real potential of damage received.

Also, in this format you don't need to limit the combination with other options like power attack or charge.

 

[Felnar]

oops, i initially read your suggestion as my idea #1

Also, in this format you don't need to limit the combination with other options like power attack or charge.

i like it, and agree it could be used with power attack/charge
but how would you feel about provoking the AoO after the attack is made (before any other action)?
also, would this be usable with iterative attacks?
can some be offensive? do you provoke AoOs multiple times?

 

[GreatLemur]

Honestly, I've been thinking for a while that everybody ought to get Combat Expertise and Power Attack for free. I like the idea of BAB becoming a generic combat bonus which can be freely distributed between attacks, AC, and damage.