Search request: Power Attack Calculator

[Elephant]

I seem to recall a discussion on efficient use of Power Attack, complete with linked tables and calculators. Could one of the generous souls with search capabilities help me find it once again?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

Didn't verify, here are some links about Power Attack:

http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=77085&highlight=power+attack+calculator

http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=69354&highlight=power+attack+calculator

http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=35737&highlight=power+attack+calculator

http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=20474&highlight=power+attack+calculator

Hope its in there!

AR

 

[Elephant]

Nail on the head. Thank you.

 

[jgsugden]

Just as a note: If you use these, don't be blinded by them. A lot of RPGers rely upon them, but forget to ask themself when they are useful and when they are misleading.

For instance, if your foe has DR that you can not pierce, you need to reduce your effective damage by the DR when making your calculations.

Another situation: If your foe is low on hit points, overkill damage is pointless, so power attacking, even though it will increase your damage, is a bad idea.

Another thing not often considered: If you expect to take AoOs, cleave off of high BAB attacks, etc ..., you need to factor those extra attacks into the equation when considering how much to power attack. If your attack routine is oing to be +20/+20/+20/+20/+20/+15/+15/+10, you end up with a far different optimal PA setting than if you have an attack routine of +20/+15/+10. In general, if you're going to be leveling foes or taking AoOs, it is often wise to bump up the PA a bit in a full attack routine.

 

[Nail]

For instance, if your foe has DR that you can not pierce, you need to reduce your effective damage by the DR when making your calculations.

Fortunately, there's at least one PA calc out there that accounts for this, and optimizes for different DR levels.

Another situation: If your foe is low on hit points, overkill damage is pointless, so power attacking, even though it will increase your damage, is a bad idea.

...But unfortunately, it's not always clear when that is. Foes don't have "HP signs" floating over their heads. For the most part, it's best to ignore this effect.

Another thing not often considered: If you expect to take AoOs, cleave off of high BAB attacks, etc ..., you need to factor those extra attacks into the equation....

Which can be done.

Next?

 

[Darklone]

Next? Get a bottle of whiskey, grunt "Full Power Attack!" and be cool.

 

[Dr_Rictus]

Basically, as a rule of thumb, as long as your chances to hit (out of 20) are higher than your average damage on a hit, keep using Power Attack to drain the one into the other. Having a specialized calculator is quicker than working this out in your head, of course.