zoroaster100
First Post
I have a player who wanted to use the alternate class feature "Whirling Frenzy" from page 66 of Unearthed Arcana instead of standard rage for his barbarian character. I said yes as the ability seemed balanced upon cursory review.
Two questions arose in my mind as I was looking over it again. The rule says a barbarian in a whirling frenzy "may make one extra attack in a round at his highest base attack bonus, but this attack takes a -2 penalty, as does each other attack made that round. This penalty applies for 1 round, so it also affects attacks of opportunity the barbarian makes before his next action."
Question #1
Do you think this extra attack is only available when the barbarian is using a Full Attack action, or also when doing an Attack as a Standard Action?
Question #2
Also, I assume that when the barbarian gets the -2 penalty because he is making an extra attack, that the -2 penalty applies to his first normal attack that turn, not just to additional iterative attacks or attacks of opportunity. Do you agree with that? The wording is a bit vague and I can see someone arguing that in a turn, you could make your first attack without penalty, then go into a whirling frenzy to get his second attack (since I think you can go into a normal barbarian rage, and presumably a whirling frenzy, at any point during your turn). However, I think the intent was to make such an extra attack work similar to the Rapid Shot feat, where you can get an extra attack in a turn at the cost of ALL your attacks that turn getting a -2 penalty on the attack roll. In other words, you have to go into a whirling frenzy before you make any attack during your turn in order to get the extra attack?
I'd greatly welcome any input on interpreting this alternate rule. Also, have there been any Sage Advice articles or official FAQ answers for Unearthed Arcana?
Two questions arose in my mind as I was looking over it again. The rule says a barbarian in a whirling frenzy "may make one extra attack in a round at his highest base attack bonus, but this attack takes a -2 penalty, as does each other attack made that round. This penalty applies for 1 round, so it also affects attacks of opportunity the barbarian makes before his next action."
Question #1
Do you think this extra attack is only available when the barbarian is using a Full Attack action, or also when doing an Attack as a Standard Action?
Question #2
Also, I assume that when the barbarian gets the -2 penalty because he is making an extra attack, that the -2 penalty applies to his first normal attack that turn, not just to additional iterative attacks or attacks of opportunity. Do you agree with that? The wording is a bit vague and I can see someone arguing that in a turn, you could make your first attack without penalty, then go into a whirling frenzy to get his second attack (since I think you can go into a normal barbarian rage, and presumably a whirling frenzy, at any point during your turn). However, I think the intent was to make such an extra attack work similar to the Rapid Shot feat, where you can get an extra attack in a turn at the cost of ALL your attacks that turn getting a -2 penalty on the attack roll. In other words, you have to go into a whirling frenzy before you make any attack during your turn in order to get the extra attack?
I'd greatly welcome any input on interpreting this alternate rule. Also, have there been any Sage Advice articles or official FAQ answers for Unearthed Arcana?
