Power Attack feat question...

[Zadam]

In regards to the feat "Power Attack", it states that you can reduce your attack by up to your "Base Attack Bonus"... Does that mean that a level 1 Fighter can only reduce his attack by 1 point using this Feat? (even if he has 18 STR and Weapon Focus etc?)

 

[Hypersmurf]

Exactly.

-Hyp.

 

[Crothian]

correct, you are limited by the BAB

 

[Zadam]

Dang... Seems a bit limited then at really low levels... But then again... Low lvl characters are MEANT to be crappy right?

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Dang... Seems a bit limited then at really low levels... But then again... Low lvl characters are MEANT to be crappy right?

Wielding a two-handed weapon, that's +2 damage for the -1 to attack. That's half a wizard's starting hp!

 

[Hypersmurf]

And remember, a first level fighter has two feats. That's Power Attack... and Cleave.

And Cleave rocks.

-Hyp.

 

[Crothian]

or you can take other feats at first level, for my fighter I didn't take PA till 2nd and took cleave at third

 

[Hypersmurf]

or you can take other feats at first level, for my fighter I didn't take PA till 2nd and took cleave at third

Well, sure. My current fighter took PA at 6th, and doesn't have Cleave.

But if you're taking PA at first level anyway, Cleave at first level is one of the best things about it

-Hyp.

 

[JoeBlank]

That is the trick with the PA/Cleave combo, PA is better at higher levels, but Cleave is great at low levels. Many more chances to be facing low hit point mooks that go down in one blow.

Although PA is still somewhat useful at 1st level, I would only take it if I was getting Cleave as well. Otherwise, I would put off PA until about 3d level.

 

[Liquidsabre]

Couldn't agree more. There's nothing quite like getting an extra attack on a charge at your full attack bonus!