Power Attack too useful? When is it NOT taken?

[monboesen]

IMO Power attack is one of the feats that keeps Fighters somewhat on par with spellcasters. It allows them to do meaningful damage above low level play. The only thing the fighter is good as fighting and I find it nice when he can still contribute at level 9+. Power attack is often a part of that.

Its used for a couple of points often in my scarse magic campaign.

 

[moritheil]

By 5th level, the front-line fighters in both of my groups were getting taken down on a regular basis. I'm not sure what your DM is thinking, but being able to put down your 5th level Ftr/Bbn is a piece of cake at that EL (and AC!).

I suspect the DM is hesitant to TPK, and is therefore playing soft.

 

[Hypersmurf]

7) You want to break through a wooden door in one round or a stone wall in fewer rounds.

8) FPAATT. Graaargh!

-Hyp.

 

[CM]

FWIW, the campaigns I am involved in use 1.5x PA bonus for 2H weapons rather than 2x, and I still see every fighter and barbarian taking it. Paladins too, usually, since it's a prerequisite for divine might.

We also allow PA to be used with light weapons, and we still see very few dual-wielding types take it, and we're all veteran powergamers.

 

[Felon]

Now that the PCs IMC are 6th to 8th level, the fighter is using Power Attack more. At lower levels he was afraid of missing.

Of course, at 6th to 8th level, the PC's should be getting iterative attacks, so the fighter should now be afraid of missing with his second swing.

To my experience, lots of players choose PA because the PHB just doesn't offer many feats that directly impact damage output. Fighters want to break stuff. And nobody in my group comes to the table to rifle through supplements.

But do they really get much use out of it? Nope. Maybe when they charge. Usually they'd prefer all their attacks actually hit.

 

[Geoff Watson]

Power Attack is a weak feat. The main reason people take it is to get Cleave, which is a great feat.

The 3.5 changes have made PA better (with two handed weapons anyway), so sometimes it's worth using.

Geoff.

 

[Endur]

Lots of reasons not to take Power Attack.
1) Two weapon fighters need lots of feats, they rarely have feats for the power attack cleave chain.
2) Archers/Spellcasters don't take Power Attack.
3) low level characters, level 1-3, don't benefit much from power attack (although they may benefit greatly from cleave).
4) Paladins, Monks, Rangers, non-fighters don't always have the extra feats for power attack, especially if they are pursuing another feat chain, mounted, 2 weapon, grappling, etc.

If your character is a melee combatant who primarily fights with a weapon in two hands and your character has a strength of 13+, I strongly recommend the power attack cleave great cleave feat chain.

 

[Testament]

The melee specialist I play with is horrifying with Power Attack. He leaping heedless charges with a Guisarme, full power attacking. Before he even rolls the 2d4 he's forcing massive damage (+8 str mod for +12 on a two-hander, PA'ing his BAB of 12 for 36 damage). When he momentum swings it's even worse.

That said, I have no problems with power attack. When casters can sling SoDs, fireballs and the like, the fighters need to be able to do something.

 

[moritheil]

The melee specialist I play with is horrifying with Power Attack. He leaping heedless charges with a Guisarme, full power attacking. Before he even rolls the 2d4 he's forcing massive damage (+8 str mod for +12 on a two-hander, PA'ing his BAB of 12 for 36 damage). When he momentum swings it's even worse.

That said, I have no problems with power attack. When casters can sling SoDs, fireballs and the like, the fighters need to be able to do something.

How is 36 damage "horrifying?" Our completely combat-unoptimized artificer often deals 22 damage or so per hit at level 1. What level are your players?

 

[Felnar]

the only issue i see with PA is that it lowers the hit chance by X% and ups the damage by a higher %

with a one-handed longsword and 13 str,
a PA lowers the hit chance by 5% per point
but i raises the damage by 18% per point
average damage at 13 str : 1d8+1 = avg 5.5
with 1 point power attack : 1d8+2 = avg 6.5 (+18%)
with 4 point power attack : 1d8+5 = avg 9.5 (+72%)

Combat Expertise lowers/raises by the same %