OK, when do you ever "NOT" use a power and do a basic attack?

[Emirikol]

I've been looking over the pregen fighter. I dont' get Cleave and reaping at will powers. Since they are "standard" actions, why would you EVER bother not using them?

jh

 

[Timeboxer]

I've been looking over the pregen fighter. I dont' get Cleave and reaping at will powers. Since they are "standard" actions, why would you EVER bother not using them?

Ranged attacks.

 

[Boarstorm]

And opportunity attacks.

And when the warlord gives you a free basic attack.

 

[Emirikol]

So you cannot use a power on an OA unless otherwise stated I presume then right? hmmm

jh

 

[FitzTheRuke]

That's it. You use basic attacks when you are given bonus attack actions from Opps or other powers, or in situations where you don't HAVE an appropriate attack power (like a low-level fighter's range attack) otherwise you use your powers.

Your at-wills are your signature shtick.

Fitz

 

[baberg]

Charging uses a Basic Melee attack

 

[zoroaster100]

Correct. It appears that opportunity attacks have to be basic attacks (unless you have some special ability that has not been revealed yet).

 

[Kordeth]

Yep. The point of at-will attacks is to use them in place of a basic attack 90% of the time. The only times you don't are, as mentioned, when the rules specifically say you have to use a basic attack or if, for some reason, you don't want either of the effects of your at-will powers (maybe you don't want to push the guy you're attacking or kill the monster next to him yet, for some reason).

 

[BlindOgre]

I've been looking over the pregen fighter. I dont' get Cleave and reaping at will powers. Since they are "standard" actions, why would you EVER bother not using them?

jh

When you wish to prolong your target's suffering - muhwa-hah-haaa

Instead of tormenting them with "I'm not touching you...", it's "I'm not killing you..."

Sorry, I haven't had enough to drink yet - at this point, I just think I'm funny

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Note though, we have seen certain monsters where their "basic attack" is not basic. Such as the Phane:

Temporal Touch (standard; at-will)
Reach 2; +29 vs. Reflex; 2d8 + 10 damage, and the target is slowed until the end of the phane’s next turn. The phane shifts 4 squares before or after making this attack.

So, who knows perhaps Epic (maybe even Paragon) level characters could have Basic, At-Will Powers.