Help me fix power attack in my lower-AC campaign

[Emirikol]

Isn't power attack a little ridiculous for the amount of damage it escalates?

A fighter already get's bonus damage for a two-handed weapon that already does extra damage for being a two-handed weapon and then with power attack on top of that they get bonus damage (with a token loss of attack bonus) PLUS they get DOUBLE bonus if they're using a two-handed weapon (which they're already most likely using!).

In our campaign, I'm toning down both PC and NPC armor to avoid some certain types of escalation (which is normal in D&D, but not in our game). Any suggestions on house rules for power attack to help me deal with this?

Should I just remove the "special" bonus? Should I break it into two feats?

Thanks,

jh

 

[Vrecknidj]

Just change the numbers.

Instead of +1 damage for every -1 attack, change it to +2 damage for every -3 attack, or +1 damage for every -2 attack, or something like that.

Dave

 

[Emirikol]

Thanks. That's an idea. It certainly keeps it from getting uberpowerful with levelling.

I'm still thinking about dumping the "special" section of the feat:

Power Attack [General]
Prerequisite Str 13.
Benefit: On your action, before making attack rolls for a round, you may choose to subtract a number from all melee attack rolls and add the same number to all melee damage rolls. This number may not exceed your base attack bonus. The penalty on attacks and bonus on damage apply until your next turn.

Special: If you attack with a two-handed weapon, or with a one-handed weapon wielded in two hands, instead add twice the number subtracted from your attack rolls. You can’t add the bonus from Power Attack to the damage dealt with a light weapon (except with unarmed strikes or natural weapon attacks), even though the penalty on attack rolls still applies. (Normally, you treat a double weapon as a one-handed weapon and a light weapon. If you choose to use a double weapon like a two-handed weapon, attacking with only one end of it in a round, you treat it as a two-handed weapon.)

 

[ValhallaGH]

As long as your party isn't having to power attack through high hp, high DR monsters then it shouldn't be a problem to change power attack.

For a simple solution, make it -1/+1 no matter how you use the weapon.
For a complicated solution, try -1/+0.5 for light weapon, -1/+1 for one-handers, and -1/+1.5 for two-handers.
Another solution is to cap the maximum power attack. -5 is a good cap as it synchronizes with Combat Expertise.

Of course, the simplest solution is to delete power attack entirely.

 

[Emirikol]

As long as your party isn't having to power attack through high hp, high DR monsters then it shouldn't be a problem to change power attack.

For a simple solution, make it -1/+1 no matter how you use the weapon.
For a complicated solution, try -1/+0.5 for light weapon, -1/+1 for one-handers, and -1/+1.5 for two-handers.
Another solution is to cap the maximum power attack. -5 is a good cap as it synchronizes with Combat Expertise.

Of course, the simplest solution is to delete power attack entirely.

Those are cool ideas.

I don't use DR in our campaigns so that's not an issue.

 

[Bladesong]

I cannot say that I can help you, but I can tell you what houserules I have seen.
~The attack is limited to your STR bonus not your BAB. Example: a 16 STR means you can only subtract 3 adding +3 to damage (+6 2-handed).
~ Your AC is reduced by the total number of points of damage you do with the feat until your next turn due to the focus of your attack. Example: if you reduce your attack by 5 your AC is reduced by 5 (10 if 2-handed).
~ You must make a CON check each time you perform a power attack with a DC equal to the damage you do for the feat or become winded then fatigued then exhausted. Example: If you reduced your attack by 5 points to add +5 points damage your DC would be 5 (DC 10 with a 2-handed weapon)

 

[Emirikol]

That sounds like a "berzerk power attack"

Reduce your AC a number up to your BAB and instead add that number to your damage for the attack.

I wonder how pissed my players would be? Part of the goal is to not to have ot make "too" big of a deal about it.



jh

 

[Nifft]

If you're going to lower AC, will you also be lowering attack bonus boosters?

For example, Strength-boosting items. A +4 belt grants +2 to attack and +3 to damage, or +0 to attack and +7 damage (with Power Attack and a two-handed weapon).

-- N

 

[Bladesong]

That sounds like a "berzerk power attack"

Reduce your AC a number up to your BAB and instead add that number to your damage for the attack.

I wonder how pissed my players would be? Part of the goal is to not to have ot make "too" big of a deal about it.

It is all in how you sell it really. In order to perform a power attack, it is not a stretch to say that you have to "take the time" to concentrate, plant your feet for leverage and rear back to get that extra powerful blow. You would have to focus on the attack which could mean less focus on defense. A rage attack is a set reduction in AC just for recklessness which is different; you are still paying attention to defense, just not as much as usual (more instinct than ability if you will).

 

[Emirikol]

It is all in how you sell it really. In order to perform a power attack, it is not a stretch to say that you have to "take the time" to concentrate, plant your feet for leverage and rear back to get that extra powerful blow. You would have to focus on the attack which could mean less focus on defense. A rage attack is a set reduction in AC just for recklessness which is different.

I like it..it's especially effective for 2-hander weapons which would have a harder recovery anyways

other thoughts?

jh