New Feat: Two-Weapon Attack

[Merlion]

The fighter in my campaign is a 2 shortsword wielder, but since you have to take a full attack action to use an offhand attack, he often finds himself getting little benefit from having two weapons, especially in more minor encounters. He closes with an enemy and makes a single attack, and some times the thing is dead before he gets a chance to make a full attack.

This combined with my belief that their need to be more different sorts of feats for 2 weapon fighters, I wrote this up. Tell me what you think.



Two-Weapon Attack
You are able to attack with two weapons more easily than most.
Prerequisite: Base Attack Bonus +5, Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Initiative
Benefit: If you have a weapon in both hands, you may make an offhand attack as part of a single attack action. This offhand attack suffers a -4 penalty to hit, along with standard two weapon fightning penalties. This does not stack with Flurry of Blows.
Normal: You must take a full attack action to make an offhand attack.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

Why's Improved Initiative a prerequisite? I'd think something like Combat Expertise would be more appropriate. (Lemme guess ... the PC in question has Improved Initiative?)

I'd suggest two other changes: (1) give both attacks a -2 additional penalty, and (2) sneak attack damage should only apply on the first attack.

With those changes, I'd allow the feat in my game.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Another alternative would be to work up some kind of "pounce" equivalent feat, enabling the character to make a full attack at the end of a charge. This will give him a good benefit in some circumstances (especially including the one you mention above) without being brilliant in unexpected circumstances (which might be the case with your proposed feat)

Cheers

 

[Merlion]

Based on assorted feedback I am altering it to:

Prerequistes: Dex17+. BAB +6, Two-Weapon Fightning

When wielding two weapons you may attack with both as a standard action. Each attack suffers a -2 penalty, in addition to normal TWF penalties.