Melee Expert Feat -- Unbalanced?

[Vrecknidj]

Opinions please, on whether this feat is unbalanced.

Melee Expert
You have mastered the art of melee combat.
Prerequities: BAB +16
Benefit: As a full-attack action, instead of taking your normal routine of four attacks, each at an iterative -5 penalty, you may make two attacks, each with no iterative penalty. (For example, instead of four attacks at +17/+12/+7/+2 you can make two attacks at +17/+17.)
Note: You cannot combine this with flurry of blows if you have that ability. If you attack with two or more weapons, you can only use this ability on a weapon that gets at least four attacks in a round (for example, if you are an epic character and manage to get four attacks with each of your two hands, then you could use Melee Expert and make two attacks with each hand, each at the highest bonus--the -2 to each hand's attacks for attacking with two weapons will still apply).

Dave

 

[Thanee]

I don't think it's unbalanced.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Ahnehnois]

If it were three attacks it would be overpowered. As it is, it certainly looks balanced. You would only ever want to use it on a high AC enemy who your lower attacks had no chance to hit.

 

[CRGreathouse]

The feat is useful when you need between an 8 and a 17 on your first attack; if you need either a 7 or an 18 on the first attack, the average damage stays the same.

In the 'good' range, the average damage increase is 12%*. Thus if your attacks would normally deal 20 points per hit, the feat gives +2.4 damage. In the best case (10 to 15 needed), the feat gives a +15% increase in damage.

This looks balanced to me as a high-level fighter feat.

* The number of blows you're expected to land increases by 0.12, so the damage you deal over the long run increases by 12% of the damage you deal with a single blow.

 

[Li Shenron]

I also agree that this feat is fine. It's definitely good, but indeed has a high requirement (so you're sure the character already has 4 attacks when taking this feat), and sometimes it could be still useful to use the normal routine of attacks - when the opponent is in a disadvantageous situation.

I am not sure if it could be a good thing also to rule out the use of two weapon fighting at the same time.