Is Whirlwind Attack worth it?

[James McMurray]

Oops, you're right. It would be 30', not 25'. The arms increase reach by 5'.

 

[Ottergame]

Nevermind, just looked it up.

 

[Ottergame]

To me, it's not worth the feats of Mobility and Spring Attack. And I rarely ever use Combat Expertise.

 

[Legildur]

Maybe Whirlwind Attack is more bark than bite, but my elven fighter has certainly used it to good advantage, albeit rarely (but it is a PbEM game).

Usually I used the Dodge, Mobility and Combat Expertise feats to keep AC right up as I maneuvre into position and then shift the grip on the longsword to two-handed (using a buckler) and cut lose with the Whirlwind Attack.

Mind you, the time I had 6 exploding skeletons surrounding me was rather untidy...... lots of shrapnel. But it also saved my bacon another time when I got myself into a bad position.

There are many good feats out there for fighters, but it seems a shame to not take Whirlwind Attack once you have invested in the prerequiste feats.

Oh yeah, combined with the Elusive Target tactical feat from Complete Warrior would also a help - haven't got that one yet :-(.

And don't forget, WA adds +2 to your Perform (weapon drill) modifier

 

[Hypersmurf]

To me, it's not worth the feats of Mobility and Spring Attack. And I rarely ever use Combat Expertise.

Spring Attack's a really useful feat for a Reach fighter who's facing a superior melee opponent... especially one who relies on multiple attacks to deal his damage.

With Spring Attack and a reach weapon, you can consistently hit someone who keeps attacking you twice for every attack they get (one AoO, one one attack on your turn), and shut down their full attacks altogether.

-Hyp.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Usually I used the Dodge, Mobility and Combat Expertise feats to keep AC right up as I maneuvre into position and then shift the grip on the longsword to two-handed (using a buckler) and cut lose with the Whirlwind Attack.

If you're dedicated, the Ki Whirlwind ability of the 3E Weapon Master (not sure if the ability made it into Complete Warrior) - Whirlwind Attack as a standard action - means that you can tumble into place and pull off your Whirlwind before you have to take the Full Attack from everyone you're about to hit.

-Hyp.

 

[Stalker0]

How many enemies around you do you all think is enough to use WA? For instance, if you have two attacks and two enemies is it usually worthwhile to WA both of the two once, or strike one of them twice. What if you have 3 attacks... 4? How many enemies around you does it take before its worth it to go round the world?

 

[James McMurray]

A big part of the answer to that will depend on the enemies. If you think you can take them out in one shot, obviously you should use WA. If you are getting pounded really hard by them (because they're ogres or giants or something) you'll probably be better off full attacking one and trying to take it out altogether.

 

[Crothian]

Or if they both have a high AC and you think you have a good chance of missing with the second attack, WWA is better since that's at your highest.

 

[hong]

To me, it's not worth the feats of Mobility and Spring Attack. And I rarely ever use Combat Expertise.

D00d, are you nuts? Spring Attack is possibly the bestest feat evar in the book for a melee type. Late in the game, you'll be facing things that can shred you with a single full attack. You do not want to end your round next to one of these things if you can help it, and Spring Attack is the feat that lets you do this.