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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Elder-Basilisk" data-source="post: 2204492" data-attributes="member: 3146">That's a very good point. In 3.0, forgetting about AC and just figuring that the monsters would hit you anyway was a very viable tactic. In 3.5, you have to pay attention to defense because monsters and NPCs can dish out a lot more damage using power attack.My own take on this is that Power Attack is a good feat, but not a broken one. I've a number of characters with it:Pal 11 in a home game. I used it a lot at lower levels when I used a two handed weapon and faced mostly foes with weak ACs. At 11th level, I get a lot more milage out of extra smiting and actually avoid power attacking for the most part. (I'm using a one-handed weapon now is part of the deal, but I could use it two handed and power attack--I just don't). Now, it's primarily a prereq for Divine Might.Ftr/Wiz 16 in Living Greyhawk. I use Power Attack on nearly every attack--usually for full. But I'm also usually using Arcane Strike (4th, 6th, or 7th level spells) and Wraithstrike on the attacks so hitting is pretty easy (except for the phenomenal number of ones I manage to roll).Fighter/PsyWar mutt in Living Arcanis. I often power attack for a few points, but don't do a ton of power attacking. Enemies tend to have decent ACs.Ftr/Monk/Paladin mutt in Living Greyhawk. I very rarely power attack. But she's a halfling with +0 BAB levels wielding a one-handed weapon, so it's about the least favorable situation for it. I have Power Attack in order to get Divine Might.On the whole, I think I get as much use out of Power Attack as Divine Might or Arcane Strike--not more. It's good--essential to some builds, but it's not that useful for a number of melee characters.The logic that something is broken if everyone takes it is wrong anyway. Weapon Focus and Imp Crit aren't broken because most fighters take them nor is Augment Summoning broken because most summoners take it. Those are abilities that characters are supposed to have and making them feats represents a focus in that particular area that carries an opportunity cost in other areas. I think of Power Attack in the same way. It's something that most offensively focussed, two handed weapon fighters (or those who want to be able to fill that role) will have. For others, it's often an opportunity cost paid to get Elusive Target or Quicken Spell.</blockquote>

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