Is Whirlwind Attack worth it?

[kpdezend]

With so many pre-req feats, it seems like it might not be worth even to a human fighter with a bunch of feats (if you are starting off at a low level anyway).

Thanks for your thoughts on the matter,

- Kent -

 

[Crothian]

When you get to use it, it's very useful. The problem is that it just doesn't come into play that often, plus to hit a lot of opponents means you are in range for a lot of people to hit you.

It really boils down to the DM though. If a PC takes this feat I try to make sure there are places they can use becasue I don't want them regreting the choice. But I've also seen DMs who really limit its usefulness once a player gets it by never having the enemy group up.

 

[James McMurray]

To truly maximize it you'll want to be sure to get a reach weapon that's usuable up close. Spiked Chain is nice, as is (IIRC) Duom.

 

[Hypersmurf]

To truly maximize it you'll want to be sure to get a reach weapon that's usuable up close. Spiked Chain is nice, as is (IIRC) Duom.

Or some way of acquiring Natural Reach.

One of those nifty cheap potions of Enlarge Person, or a pet sorcerer.

-Hyp.

 

[James McMurray]

Or some way of acquiring Natural Reach.

One of those nifty cheap potions of Enlarge Person, or a pet sorcerer.

-Hyp.

Or both.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Or both.

Like, a pet sorcerer who makes potions of Enlarge Person?

That'd be handy.

-Hyp.

 

[kpdezend]

Or some way of acquiring Natural Reach.

One of those nifty cheap potions of Enlarge Person, or a pet sorcerer.

-Hyp.

Yeah, I was thinking spiked chain and enlarge person... and combat reflexes and improved trip seem much easier and more practical that whirlwind attack.

- Kent -

 

[James McMurray]

Like, a pet sorcerer who makes potions of Enlarge Person?

No: like a pet sorcerer and a reach weapon that also works up close. 15' whirlwind > 10' whirlwind > 5' whirlwind.

Edit: Also get yourself some demon graft arms (Fiend Folio) and the psionic Reach power (Wotc's Mind's Eye) and you'll be doing 25' whirlwind attacks.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Yeah, I was thinking spiked chain and enlarge person... and combat reflexes and improved trip seem much easier and more practical that whirlwind attack.

But on the day you fall through the pit trap into a cavern literally packed with lacedons, and there are seventy-two of them within range of your 20' reach, you'll feel like the Man when you pull out that Whirlwind...

-Hyp.

 

[Hypersmurf]

No: like a pet sorcerer and a reach weapon that also works up close. 15' whirlwind > 10' whirlwind > 5' whirlwind.

Edit: Also get yourself some demon graft arms (Fiend Folio) and the psionic Reach power (Wotc's Mind's Eye) and you'll be doing 25' whirlwind attacks.

I don't know what Demon Graft Arms does, but if you're Large with a Spiked Chain, that's 20' right there. Psionic Reach gives you another 5', so presumably your magic Arms increase that even more...

-Hyp.