Geoff Watson
First Post
Drommon said:
It makes a nice change from it being completely useless.
Geoff.
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Is power attack too powerful?
- Thread starter Drommon
- Start date
It makes a nice change from it being completely useless.
Geoff.
in 3.0 it was worth it, and even more so in 3.5.. in specific uses.
mainly, in a mounted charge with a 2-handed weapon. (doubly so if your prestige class=cavalier) monstrous, sick amounts of damage possible. doubly so when combined with Power Lunge and a potion (or other item) of True Strike. Truly, truly hideous.
mainly, in a mounted charge with a 2-handed weapon. (doubly so if your prestige class=cavalier) monstrous, sick amounts of damage possible. doubly so when combined with Power Lunge and a potion (or other item) of True Strike. Truly, truly hideous.
Epametheus
First Post
Power Attack seemed kinda underused in 3E. I've always liked it, though.
Getting a 2 for 1 conversion with Power Attack used to be a Frenzied Berserker ability, though.
I like the change, but I did kinda go "huh?" when I saw it.
Getting a 2 for 1 conversion with Power Attack used to be a Frenzied Berserker ability, though.
I like the change, but I did kinda go "huh?" when I saw it.
frankthedm
First Post
I think of it as a bit much IMHO. Almost too much of a benefit for an entry level feat that was a prerequirement for other feats.
Korak
First Post
I also want to agree with jgsugden's analysis. Very few people optimize their use of power attack because it is too hard to have all the relevant data on hand. It takes a few rounds to ping the creatures AC. Depending on your campaign, that could mean the monster is already dead, or so close that the power attack won't be making the difference. I have done spreadsheets to optimize my power attack choices given the foes AC and my specific attack routine. It tends to payoff for me because the monsters that I fight in my campaigns at home have lots of hp and come in mulitples (so after the AC of one is pinged, I know how much to power attack for during the rest of the combat, adjusted for various bonuses like flanking/charging, etc.) Anyway, the feat is capable of being very good, but it only gets gross in very specific circumstances, in the hands of a player who puts a lot of effort into maximization (in other words, a geek like me).
Rashak Mani
First Post
The funny thing is that the more damage a barbarian/fighter is capable of doing... the less worthwhile it is doing Power Attack... since any extra misses means a lot of damage undone. Whilst a fighter with little Str has a lot to gain in damage comparatively.
Hypersmurf
Moderatarrrrh...
Epametheus said:
It still is... it's just 4 for 1 with a two-handed weapon now.
-Hyp.
Maybe it's just me, but I always thought the 'optimizing' aspect of Power Attack was far too nerdy. Doesn't it feel so dumb to tell your DM, "Krug howls in pain and charges the wizard, delivering a mighty overhanded blow with power attack for... um. Holdon a sec, lemme get out the calculator... carry the one... 7 points!' ?
I've been considering houseruling to make Power Attack a feat where you get bonus dice of damage on your attack, or maybe even a multiplier, at the cost of inflicting some amount of damage (perhaps nonlethal damage) with each swing. That would make it more consistent in its application - "If you use Power Attack, you kill faster" - without necessarily making it a player's best friend. Hopefully it would become more of a gut instinct kind of thing, as opposed to the current mathfest it is.
I've been considering houseruling to make Power Attack a feat where you get bonus dice of damage on your attack, or maybe even a multiplier, at the cost of inflicting some amount of damage (perhaps nonlethal damage) with each swing. That would make it more consistent in its application - "If you use Power Attack, you kill faster" - without necessarily making it a player's best friend. Hopefully it would become more of a gut instinct kind of thing, as opposed to the current mathfest it is.
Taren Seeker
First Post
3.5 Power attack is a problem.
My 3.5 11th Fighter/Rogue (spiked chain) is doing close to the same damage per round with 3 attacks as my 3.0 19th level Ranger/Fighter/Holy Liberator is with 7 attacks (TWF with bastard/shield that does d8 damage on a bash). The 11th character is in a lower magic campaign, the 19th is in a pretty high one.
Monster AC's didn't go up except in a few cases, and HP's haven't gone up.
IMO watching a few others (in LG) take full advantage of THF power attacking, yes it is a problem.
My 3.5 11th Fighter/Rogue (spiked chain) is doing close to the same damage per round with 3 attacks as my 3.0 19th level Ranger/Fighter/Holy Liberator is with 7 attacks (TWF with bastard/shield that does d8 damage on a bash). The 11th character is in a lower magic campaign, the 19th is in a pretty high one.
Monster AC's didn't go up except in a few cases, and HP's haven't gone up.
IMO watching a few others (in LG) take full advantage of THF power attacking, yes it is a problem.
