I don't want to use my feat!

[Simplicity]

Yeah, why can't some fighter just think... well, I think I'll try to think about solving this differential equation during my next 5 swings and take the -10 circumstance bonus that incurs to wipe out his weapon focus bonus...

It's pointless as to whether he can choose to apply the feat or not, since any fighter should be able to apply a negative circumstance bonus to their rolls at any point in a similar fashion (I didn't mention... I'm RIGHT handed.)

 

[dcollins]

Most games I have be in do not let a mage lower the caster level of a spell to something lower than could cast the spell (i.e. no 3d6 fireballs). I do play that way, and it is the sole exception to my houserule that you are allowed to suck as much as you want, regardless of what anyone else says, even the almighty RAW.

You know that's actually a core rule? See PHB: "Magic" chapter, "Casting Spells: Caster Level".

 

[apesamongus]

You know, if you want to look like a poorer fighter, just don't attack. Take only a standard action attack when you're entitled to a FAA. Take a full defense every other round. All of a sudden, you're fighting like someone with a much lower BAB. It's not as though the number of times you swing the sword is in direct correlation to the number of attacks you make.

Of course, that still doesn't convince anyone you're a bad fighter.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

You know that's actually a core rule? See PHB: "Magic" chapter, "Casting Spells: Caster Level".

He's actually talking about lowering your caster level below the normal limit to cast the spell. In other words, the minimum damage you can do with a fireball is 5d6.

He's got a house rule that states you can apply as little of your bonuses as you want, whenever you want. Fighters can attack at any BAB from +0 to their current. Basically, you are allowed to pull your punches as much as you want - except for the minimum caster level rule present in the RAW.

 

[Pielorinho]

Look at the sun. Boom! You're dazzled, and get a -1 on your attack rolls.

I seem to recall that if you're fighting while standing in water, you're off-balance, and suffer -1 to your attack rolls. A generous DM will rule that if you hop around on one foot, you're similarly off-balance, and get a -1.

However, it seems blatantly silly to me to rule that you can't subtract for your attack bonus: this falls in the category of things that fit common sense and that are not expressly forbidden, and therefore should be allowed.

Daniel

 

[Gez]

As you can see, the feat states "you gain", and not "you can add" or something similar.

IMHO this means, RAW reasoning, that you can't choose to avoid the benefit of this feat.

I 'll admit this could appear illogical and weird, but it wouldn't be the first time the RAW are strange.

It's true for a number of feats. Imagine you play a monk/sorcerer, have invested in the Complete Adventurer, and are interested by the Ascetic Mage feat.

Now, imagine your character's Wisdom score is higher than his Charisma score. Too bad for you! While getting a weak Arcane Strike feat, and stacking class levels for the AC bonus is good, you can't choose to keep Wis for your AC bonus instead of Cha, despite your Wis score being higher.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

AuraSeer basically expounded my point. If you're trying to make people think you're not all that good, you bluff and aim away from really devastating attacks...

Like the guy from 13th Warrior who beheaded the big guy... He sucked, sucked, sucked, then slayed.

 

[Goolpsy]

Well you could rule it works like feint attack.. i.e. a bluff check..
but you aren't trying to fool anyone, you just simply not doing your best...

 

[Ballard_Alvar]

OMG...

I thought it was clear enough that I voluntarily choose a feat like WF because there aren't many reasons to not use it.

I simply checked if there were any RAW against my reasoning.

Did I make something wrong?

If you don't like the thread, ignore it.

If the goal is to pretend that you are an inexperinced fighter, have you considered using a weapon you are not as familiar with-bastard sword for example. and power attacking for full? you will frequently miss, and you could claim it was a lucky hit when all else is said and done.

 

[Gez]

Yes, Power Attack or Combat Expertise are good way to lower your attack score.

You can use both. “I "expertise" for -5 and power attack for -10!”

And if your focused weapon is neither a light weapon nor a two-handed weapon, and/or you don't have the TWF feats, you can try to fight with two at the same time.

“I "expertise" for -5 and power attack for -10! With my two longswords!”