Is Power Attack balanced?

[Dross]

Power attacking is itself not always a prudent option. But taking the power attack feat is pretty much automatic for most fighters. This by itself indicates it's too powerful.

The problem I see with this statement is that PA is the first step in several feat trees: Cleave/GC, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun, Improved Sunder, and probably more in books following the PHB.

If they ONLY took PA and non of the others I would be more inclinded to agree with you.

For our group that doesn't use PA a great deal by itself, no it is not too powerful.

 

[Caliban]

The problem I see with this statement is that PA is the first step in several feat trees: Cleave/GC, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun, Improved Sunder, and probably more in books following the PHB.

If they ONLY took PA and non of the others I would be more inclinded to agree with you.

For our group that doesn't use PA a great deal by itself, no it is not too powerful.

As another data point, one of my characters is a Brb1/Ftr4/Dervish6. He took power attack instead of weapon specialization, and frequently uses it to good effect. He usually power attacks for 2 (he has Armbands of Might that give +2 damage when power attacking for 2 or more), but often power attacks for more. It's just a matter of picking the best time to power attack.

 

[Stalker0]

The problem I see with this statement is that PA is the first step in several feat trees: Cleave/GC, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun, Improved Sunder, and probably more in books following the PHB.

Fixed that for you

And yes, PA isn't as good when you get your full iterative attacks. But there are plenty of times a fighter doesn't get the full barrage, and in those cases PA is the way.

 

[squee]

2H is balanced by Power Attack.

TWF is balanced by Sneak Attack.

Sword-n-board is balanced by PHB-II.

I don't see the need to have one feat benefit all fighting styles equally.

Cheers, -- N

The problem is not only are most of the PHB2 shield feats avaliable to the other two styles in various ways but they do very little to help the Sword 'n' board offensively which is were they really need it, It's fact that the extra AC isn't worth the drop in damage compared to the other two styles that makes the SNB a suboptimal choice.

if sneak attack was a feat, I would agree entirely.

It isn't.

that just means TWF is better for rouges and other characters with extra damage dice rather than straight fighters

 

[Nifft]

If sneak attack was a feat, I would agree entirely.

It isn't.

Well, sometimes it is...

In general, Humanoids have the option of taking class levels, and non-humanoids have something that makes them a thread, even if they're not Power Attack compatible -- either Sneak Attack damage, or poison, or something.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Nifft]

that just means TWF is better for rouges and other characters with extra damage dice rather than straight fighters

Yes, absolutely! (And you were quoting someone with the misfortune of being not me. )

Cheers, -- N

 

[Lehab]

Power Attack is just fine in 3.5. I'm a little tired of hearing all the whineing from those TWF types that Two Handed weilders have an advantage over them. weilding a Twohanded massive weapon is going to deal more damage do to Physics of the strike. The 2-handed strike uses all the major muscle groups in the normal body, A single handed weapon does not use the muscle mass of twohanded strike hence the doubble dammage you are using twice the Muscle mass so you do twice the damage.

You cannot compare Combat expertise to Power Attack they use diffrent ratios Combat Expertise trades damge for attack bonuses while power attack trades Attack for damage
power attack 1.5 to one single handed twohaned 2to 1 twohanded 1 to 1 offhand

As to why light wea[pons cannot power attack is they were never intened to look at how the weapons are used in real life light weapon are mostly percing/slashing weapons. IF you tried makeing a overhead strike or a stike from the waist most power attacks a light weapon would snap or shatter as they are by in large thrusting type weapons. Light weapons get weapons finese instead of power attack.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

Compared to (most) other feats, Power Attack is significantly more potent.

As a means of keeping warrior-types competitive with spellcasters, Power Attack is a big help.

 

[Plane Sailing]

2H is balanced by Power Attack.

TWF is balanced by Sneak Attack.

Sword-n-board is balanced by PHB-II.

Ah, so you are suggesting that Two Weapon Fighting is not a style that Fighters should choose, eh?

I consider that to be a flaw in the system

 

[Stalker0]

Ah, so you are suggesting that Two Weapon Fighting is not a style that Fighters should choose, eh?

I consider that to be a flaw in the system

At the same time, not every style can be balanced with each. A fighter that specializes in knife throwing is not going to be equal to another straight up fighter style...though a rogue with knife throwing and SA could make this possible.