Jonathan Tweet denounces Power Attack

[Cadfan]

I don't understand your character's stats, Bryon. How do you have a +28 attack roll with only 1d12+10 damage per hit?

BAB 14
Strength 20
Greataxe +3
Weapon Focus
Charging

That gets me to +25 attack, 1d12+10 damage, and the charging explains why you're not getting any iterative attacks. Where does the last +3 come from? It can't be a better weapon or higher strength, or that would increase your damage.

 

[Thundershield]

I don't understand your character's stats, Bryon. How do you have a +28 attack roll with only 1d12+10 damage per hit?

BAB 14
Strength 20
Greataxe +3
Weapon Focus
Charging

That gets me to +25 attack, 1d12+10 damage, and the charging explains why you're not getting any iterative attacks. Where does the last +3 come from? It can't be a better weapon or higher strength, or that would increase your damage.

It might be a +4 alchemical silver greataxe (+1 attack and damage, but -1 damage) and he end up flanking the foe he charges (+2 attack)? If you don't like the "charging and flanking" combo, he can simply be invisible instead. Also gives +2.

Don't nitpick. It really serves no purpose.

 

[Mark Chance]

Don't nitpick. It really serves no purpose.

Sure it does. Nitpicking is how one gets rid of nits.

 

[Najo]

1d12+10 attack with a +28 attack against a typical MM CR correct AC of 26. Crits for 19/X3.
Avg damage with no PA is 18.81.
Avg damage with a completely random PA between -1 and -14 is 24.78. Optimal PA is -7 with an avg damage of 27.45. Worst case for using PA is -14 with an avg damage of 21.36 or -1 with an avg of 21.09. No matter what number is selected, the expected damage improves.1d12+10 +28 AC 26

PA Hit % crit % avg damage
0 0.95 0.095 18.81
1 0.95 0.095 21.09
2 0.95 0.095 23.37
3 0.95 0.095 25.65
4 0.9 0.09 26.46
5 0.85 0.085 27.03
6 0.8 0.08 27.36
7 0.75 0.075 27.45
8 0.7 0.07 27.3
9 0.65 0.065 26.91
10 0.6 0.06 26.28
11 0.55 0.055 25.41
12 0.5 0.05 24.3
13 0.45 0.045 22.95
14 0.4 0.04 21.36

Ironically, your presenting your data the same way I did. All it proves is:

a) You know how to abuse power attack with a high to hit bonus - which is one of the issues
b) That power attack gets worse the further you use it, notice as your damage drops back down at the bottom
c) that using it well is abusive and requires doing nothing else with the character
d) that power attack requires charts of math to understand it, hence it is a complicated game mechanic and not good for new players or low level characters without high to hit bonuses.

So, you are supporting my arguments.

 

[Lenaianel]

I'll be happy if Power Attack becomes a Bo9S-style manuever -- I've seen too many times where Power Attack slowed down gameplay, either because someone was trying to calculate it on the fly, or because they couldn't find where on their sheet they'd written their standard attacks.

I'd like that too. Even better if such powers dont come with a attack malus
I have a few exemples of what can be done :

Strong blow. (Martial power) (at will)
Add X to damage. As you focus on attack you give Combat Advantage to any opponent targeting you until your next turn


Mighty blow. (Martial power) (per encounter) (bludgeonning weapons only)
Add Y to damage. Your blow also attack Fort Defense causing your taget to become "stunned" for one round (or triped, or pushed back ..... (so many options there)) You give combat Advantage to any opponent targeting you until your next turn


Executioner blow. (Martial Power) (Per encounter) (2 handed szlashing weapon only)
Usable only vs a bloodied target. Totaly focusing on attack you dont defend yourself (giving combat advantage at least maybe auto hit) to any opponent targeting you until your next turn. Add Z (where Z is a realy big number) to damage (plus anything from trip to bleeding damage ...)

And so on ...