TerraDave
5ever, or until 2024
As is being discussed in this thread, Power Attack has lost the love of its maker, and many ENWorlders.
What do you think?
What do you think?
Power Attack: like or no like?
- Thread starter TerraDave
- Start date
Kahuna Burger
First Post
Hate to be that guy but... Unfortunately don't see an option that works or me, because as I've said in the other thread, my problem is not with the basic mechanic but the 3.5 changes to favor an already numerically superior weapon style. I've used it and somewhat enjoyed it with one character, but the non core hoops I had to jump through to make a character with my chosen character flavor that could take advantage of that mechanic have soured me on it. :\
Wisdom Penalty
First Post
Good rule on paper, bad rule in practice.
I'm sure there are groups and DMs that either don't mind the 'round the table calculations, or never see them because the PA players are making quick decisions. Well and good. But I've seen the Excel spreadsheets, I've seen the inherent delays, et al. Heck, even Expedition to Castle Ravenloft had a PA chart for a couple of the baddies.
Good riddance.
And the good news is - if you don't think it was broken, or didn't have problems with it, then - *POOF* - keep it in your game.
W.P.
I'm sure there are groups and DMs that either don't mind the 'round the table calculations, or never see them because the PA players are making quick decisions. Well and good. But I've seen the Excel spreadsheets, I've seen the inherent delays, et al. Heck, even Expedition to Castle Ravenloft had a PA chart for a couple of the baddies.
Good riddance.
And the good news is - if you don't think it was broken, or didn't have problems with it, then - *POOF* - keep it in your game.
W.P.
Drammattex
First Post
It's the math that I don't like.
As a DM, I've got a lot of things on my mind and the factors that change the numerics for Power Attack can be confusing amongst all the other stuff you have to consider at the same time (spells, durations, special abilities, terrain, light, etc).
As a DM, I've got a lot of things on my mind and the factors that change the numerics for Power Attack can be confusing amongst all the other stuff you have to consider at the same time (spells, durations, special abilities, terrain, light, etc).
an_idol_mind
Explorer
I like Power Attack. I'm not the kind of player who spends a lot of time trying to figure out the ideal mathematical tradeoff, though. And as a DM, I never let a player waste a lot of time determining an action (it boils down to, "Choose what you're doing or your character wastes this round thinking."), so I've never had a problem there, either.
Mercule
Adventurer
I've never seen Power Attack be an issue in a game. IME, it's one of the least disruptive combat options and offers a lot of control to the player. I seriously have lost more time to players not being able to calculate the DC of their spells than with Power Attack slowing things down.
Lord Zardoz
Explorer
Note: I am a DM, not a player.
I like power attack simply because it manages to provide nearly the same kind of tension as a save or die spell without being nearly as potentially game wrecking. When in the hands of the "Barbarian Lunatic of the Week", I can max out the power attack, and still have a reasonable chance to hit due to the strength bonuses. When it does hit, I do very scary amounts of damage, but generally not enough to one shot a PC to -10 hp or less.
With the same opponent not power attacking, I can probably hit more often, and statistically I may do more damage that way. But the lifespan of the typical NPC opponent is pretty short. Scoring 2 or 3 hits for 1d10+5 at +11 to attack rolls is a hard hit, but not distressing to the front line types. They are laying in just as much damage, and they have a cleric to fall back on, and a spell caster who will blast the guy with some magic missiles. A good fight, but not memorable.
But on a maxed power attack for 1d10+17 at +5 to hit, that changes the situation. I may only hit once instead of 4 times. But I now have the players attention, and they know they are one critical hit away from biting it.
As a DM, power attack lets me create more tension in a combat encounter without dropping more loot. As a player, Power Attack lets me treat stronger opponents as fodder. I lose to hit due to the attack penalty, but I am more likely to get use out of Cleave if I do use it.
END COMMUNICATION
I like power attack simply because it manages to provide nearly the same kind of tension as a save or die spell without being nearly as potentially game wrecking. When in the hands of the "Barbarian Lunatic of the Week", I can max out the power attack, and still have a reasonable chance to hit due to the strength bonuses. When it does hit, I do very scary amounts of damage, but generally not enough to one shot a PC to -10 hp or less.
With the same opponent not power attacking, I can probably hit more often, and statistically I may do more damage that way. But the lifespan of the typical NPC opponent is pretty short. Scoring 2 or 3 hits for 1d10+5 at +11 to attack rolls is a hard hit, but not distressing to the front line types. They are laying in just as much damage, and they have a cleric to fall back on, and a spell caster who will blast the guy with some magic missiles. A good fight, but not memorable.
But on a maxed power attack for 1d10+17 at +5 to hit, that changes the situation. I may only hit once instead of 4 times. But I now have the players attention, and they know they are one critical hit away from biting it.
As a DM, power attack lets me create more tension in a combat encounter without dropping more loot. As a player, Power Attack lets me treat stronger opponents as fodder. I lose to hit due to the attack penalty, but I am more likely to get use out of Cleave if I do use it.
END COMMUNICATION
Similar Threads
