How do YOU use Power Attack?

[Shadeus]

Hmm, a very split crowd. About half saying almost never on a FRA, and the other half saying "but look at the math". (And Spikey calmly saying "look at my damn spreadsheet" )

We've lately been fighting frost giants which have around 120 hp and ACs around 24. (So 4-5 hits.) (And with my uncanny ability to roll 19s and 20s against undead ONLY, I never get a crit. Is that a supernatural ability? ) That means i usually hit on a 3, 8, 12. So I've been doing a low power attack to boost my damage(24 Str, +1 flameburst warhammer, specialized) from my meager 1d8+10+1d6.

 

[Christian]

Well, I don't think anyone will argue about your situation-crunching the numbers makes it pretty clear that in your particular situation, PA doesn't make sense on either a full attack or a single attack. With that AC at your attack bonus, the only reason to use PA would be to overcome DR ...

 

[Psifon]

The real problem I have in deciding when to power attack is trying to figure out my opponent's AC. After a few rounds aganst the same monsters it becomes easy to figure, but early in the combat it is hard to estimate.

One trick to use is that if they are flat footed, one can size up their AC's just by asking the DM what kind of armor they are wearing. Then, at least until they get their dex bonus, one can get a good idea (assuming no natural armor of course).

 

[Petrosian]

Hmm, a very split crowd. About half saying almost never on a FRA, and the other half saying "but look at the math". (And Spikey calmly saying "look at my damn spreadsheet" )

We've lately been fighting frost giants which have around 120 hp and ACs around 24. (So 4-5 hits.) (And with my uncanny ability to roll 19s and 20s against undead ONLY, I never get a crit. Is that a supernatural ability? ) That means i usually hit on a 3, 8, 12. So I've been doing a low power attack to boost my damage(24 Str, +1 flameburst warhammer, specialized) from my meager 1d8+10+1d6.

(H-A)/2

H = 18 (hits on anything but a 1-2) SINGLE SWING
A = 18 (average of 1d8+1d6+10)

(H-A)/2 = 0

never use power attack in these circumstances.

result for multiple swings is the same.

 

[Petrosian]

You knowm it seems ironic but consider...

high base damage makes power attack less likely to be of use.
two handed weapons, which provide more damage bonus than to-hit bonus makes power attack less likely to be of use.

The ultimate maximizer of power attack effectiveness would be a light weapon fighter with high dex, moderate strength and finesse.

5th level fighters

Assume 18 dex, 13 strength and finesse and power attack with say a shortsword. hit +5 to hit from dex and d6+1 damage are low enough that his power attack would be beneficial at Acs of 24 and down..

A strength 18 guy with dex 13 wielding a two handed sword would find power attack beneficial at Acs of 15 and less.

Power attack... weak for the hulking barbarian brute but not bad for the finesse poker type?

odd, very odd.

 

[Gromm]

When I roll a 3 and the DM says its a hit.
Every fighter should get power attack after level 8 or so, after a while you can't miss anyway so you might as well hit harder when you do.
It doesn't take long to get base attack equal to or higher than most enemies AC, especially if you have a cleric in the party casting prayers, blesses, and the like.

 

[CRGreathouse]

(H-A)/2

Nice formula. I use the same one (in a different form) myself.

Sadly, it doesn't take crits into account - that formula is a bit more complex, and much too unwieldy to use at the table.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I use power attack soley as a prereq for cleave.

Cheers

 

[Enforcer]

Re: Re: How do YOU use Power Attack?

I use power attack soley as a prereq for cleave.

Cheers

I use power attack to get my cleave attacks! After all, with cleave, an enemy that goes down because you put a couple of extra points of damage into it, gives you that cleave all the more quickly.