I've solved Power Attack!

[Moon-Lancer]

Has anyone given thought to allowing power attack to be tad on the strong side in terms of damage. The hit roll would have a negative, and if the agent misses, the patient or receiver gets an opportunity attack? I think that would fit nicely what power attack is all about. Over swinging, surrendering the center, and hoping it pays off.

 

[jaer]

Jaer... Lord Tirian was writing his as an At Will power, not Encounter. Keep in mind his version is doable on every swing, hence the reason for the Miss drawback.

Encounter powers are already limited and can be stronger... At Will will need built in drawbacks to not be the only power you'd ever use among your At Wills.

This I understand, hence my comment of it having too much gamble and not enough benefit.

Look at the other two "at will" powers. Both have basic attacks, basic damage, and either add 3 damage to an adjacent target or shifts a target and lets you move into their squre.

So at will = basic attack, basic damage, + extra
Similarly, it would seem at will = reduced attack, increased damage + extra (depending on the difference between attack and damage).

I hardly think a a chance at getting a OA against you is worth 2[w]+str damage even without the -2 to attack.

 

[interwyrm]

This I understand, hence my comment of it having too much gamble and not enough benefit.

Look at the other two "at will" powers. Both have basic attacks, basic damage, and either add 3 damage to an adjacent target or shifts a target and lets you move into their squre.

So at will = basic attack, basic damage, + extra
Similarly, it would seem at will = reduced attack, increased damage + extra (depending on the difference between attack and damage).

I hardly think a a chance at getting a OA against you is worth 2[w]+str damage even without the -2 to attack.

2w + str + knockdown (if same size or smaller) or knockback (if larger) would make me consider using it at the risk of opportunity attack. I think the -2 to attack is irritating and not necessary though.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Power Attack
Fighter Attack 1
An unbalancing attack that sacrifices mobility for power.

At-Will * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee weapon
Requirement: You cannot move in a round in which you use this power.
Target: One creature
Attack: Melee weapon vs. AC

Hit: 2[W] + Strength damage. Suffer a -2 penalty to AC until the start of your next turn.

The ability is balanced only if opponents attack you. (And only strong opponents. It's not like the wimpy kobold spellcaster can really harm you even if he has a chance to hit you now.)

 

[Kzach]

Some very interesting replies!

So I was thinking about the replies and figured if you wanted to make it an at-will ability that scaled, it could simply be 1[W] + level + Strength damage.

Sure, it's not uber but having played the fighter in some 4e playtests, I found that Tide of Iron was very meh in most circumstances and Cleave wasn't always available. An extra +1 damage at first level as an alternative would be pretty sweet.

 

[Sora Justice]

Power Attack
Fighter Attack 1
An unbalancing attack that sacrifices mobility for power.

At-Will * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee weapon
Requirement: You cannot move in a round in which you use this power.
Target: One creature
Attack: Melee weapon vs. AC

Hit: 2[W] + Strength damage. Suffer a -2 penalty to AC until the start of your next turn.

You're still in a 3e mindset.

Power Attack
Fighter Attack 1
You strike a mighty blow against one foe.

Encounter * Martial, Reliable Weapon
Standard Action
Melee weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC

Hit: 2[W] + Strength modifier damage.

 

[Kzach]

You're still in a 3e mindset.

Power Attack
Fighter Attack 1
You strike a mighty blow against one foe.

At-Will * Martial, Reliable Weapon
Standard Action
Melee weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC

Hit: 2[W] + Strength modifier damage.

I think both are too powerful, actually, as at-will powers. In fact, even my last attempt scales too well. I'd probably just make it a flat +2 damage and have it replaced at some higher level with a better power.

I honestly think this is a goer though. Consider the two at-will powers the fighter has as well as my attempt (flat +2 to damage). Out of those three, which would you most often use against single foes?

 

[Sora Justice]

I meant it as an Encounter power. Edited.

 

[small pumpkin man]

I haven't read all of the debate on power attack, but what's wrong with making just the opposite of careful strike? What's wrong with a flat penalty to hit and bonus to damage? (or, you don't get str to hit, but you get double str to damage)

 

[Falling Icicle]

The idea behind power attack is that you make a reckless but powerful attack, right? So what if instead of provoking or reducing your AC, you suffer a penalty on the attack roll?

Power Attack
Fighter Attack 1
A powerful but reckless attack that sacrifices accuracy for power.
At-Will * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Melee weapon vs. AC with a -4 penalty
Hit: 2[W] + Strength damage.

Another option is that power attack doesn't do any more damage than normal, but ignores armor, attacking reflex instead. This would give fighters an option against high AC opponents.

Power Attack
Fighter Attack 1
You strike with such tremendous force that armor offers no protection.
At-Will * Martial, Weapon
Standard Action
Melee weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Melee weapon vs. Reflex
Hit: 1[W] + Strength damage.