How Powerful Are Tactical Feats?

[jasin]

Residual Magic, I think it's called?

The one from Complete Mage that lets you 1) use your own caster level for a spell from a wand or scroll immediately after you've cast that same spell yourself; 2) apply a metamagic for free after you've cast that same spell with the metamagic applied.

I'm not sure it obviously breaks the game, but it certainly sounds more powerful that +4 to init or +2 to Fort.

But a big part of my suspicion comes from the fact that it's intended for spellcasters. I'd rather let a fighter pick up a feat-and-a-half for the price of a feat, than a wizard.

 

[Darklone]

Would you mind naming a few YOU consider too strong & share your insights by providing an argument or three?

I'll give it a try.

• Cavalry charger. 4 Feats prereqs. Actually I think it's a bit weak.
• Combat Brute: Too strong IMHO. Easy prereqs and making PA stronger isn't really necessary. SunderCleave: Well. Not needed.
• Elusive target: The only way at all to nullify PA. IMHO either too strong or utterly useless, depending on the DM and campaign.
• Formation Expert: Actually strong if you build a group that uses it or have enough cohorts. Lock shields stacks with Shieldmate... But usually the feat simply gives me headaches.
• Giantbane: climbing on a giant is soooo easy and effectively helps against being grappled. Too strong and insane IMHO.
• Raptor School: Who needs it, there is Leap Attack.
• Shock Trooper: Horribly powerful if used correctly. It's simply wonderful for a trip and push monkey. Piling enemies in one square is evil.
• Sun School: I am not impressed.

So far for CW only... You're right, not too many too strong ones. They are pretty expensive (except Combat Brute) and their use is often extremely limited. Yet Combat Brute and Shock trooper in particular are easy to use and IMHO too powerful.

 

[VonRichthofen]

Yeah, apart from the fact that there is Elusive Target to balance the uber-PA cheese out again.
And that's exactly the point: When evaluated without connection to other feats/the game context, you'll be quick in crying "Emmentaler".

Sunder is weak at high levels, Bull Rush is often underused, PA can be countered - I think they are powerful, but they are not too good - especially in a game like D&D that is owned by CoDzilla & arcane casters at higher levels.

 

[pawsplay]

Elusive target is the only one I think that comes close to matching a regular feat. For the most part, tactical feats are medium weak feats, BUT they can be used for great synergies.

 

[Sejs]

I'd put them at a little more powerful than the average feat, but with the balancing factor that each ability has certain situational requirements that have to be met before the trick can be used.

So, if you charge and power attack for 5 or more, then in the following round you can.. etc, etc, etc.

I like tactical feats. They're a solid addition to the game.

 

[MongooseFamiliar]

Has anyone experimented with the Shadow Striker tactical feat? I'm considering giving it a try and would love to know what other folks' experience has been. (PHB2 feat)

 

[orcmonk220]

I think they can add real style to your character fighting technique. I like the idea that some are pretty cool on certain classes, and others not so much. Mind you, I also like the weapon-based ones in Complete Warrior (Three Mountains, etc), but, that may be just me...

 

[Seeten]

Depends on each one

QFT

Some are OP, some are atrocious, and some are interesting, and balanced. Even the OP ones are generally fine, due to being between 3rd to 5th in a feat chain, though.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

Elusive Target is powerful. But it is really more powerful on average than Spring Attack? I am doubtful.

Spring Attack will allow you to regulary avoid AoOs from the physically strongest opponents, as they mostly have reach. Plus it gives the tactical flexibility to set up flanks.

Those situations come up a lot IMHO.

 

[was]

I think that they're about the same.