Using each stat for a melee basic attack

[mkill]

One common criticism of 4th edition is how different classes use all kinds of ability scores for melee attacks. This breaks the sense of disbelieve of some players. To help these players broaden their imagination, here are a few ideas how each ability score can contribute to making a successful melee attack.

Strength: Your athletic training allows you to put the full strength of your whole body into precise and powerful strikes.

Constitution: You don't tire as easily as your opponent. Your blows keep coming at full force, while his arms get heavy and he can't hold against your attacks.

Dexterity: You are agile, and dodge incoming blows with quick footwork to find a perfect spot to hit your mark.

Intelligence: You easily see the flaws in your opponent's technique, and use a combination of learned techniques and quick thinking on the spot to outmaneuver him and land a deadly blow.

Wisdom: One look in your opponent's eye gives you insight to his personality. Is he a raging madman who throws powerful but uncontrolled punches? A seasoned veteran who is testing you? A frightened amateur? You can predict his moves and counter him.

Charisma: You fight with grace and an air of superiority. Your enemy is intimidated by your style, and loses the fight before the first clash of steel.

Remember, just because you use one stat to effect your attack roll doesn't mean the other factors don't figure in. You're still using the strength of your arm to swing a sword, it's just that your intelligence has the dominant influence. A more "realistic" game would use an average of several stats to compute the attack bonus, but this is reduced to one to keep the game straightforward and playable.

 

[Black Knight Irios]

Nice explanations good sir. But it didn't bother me at all. But I like it.

When I read your thread title I was thinking this thread is about something like "Do you think that everyone gets Melee Training for free is a good house rule".
-- Man, errata humanum est.

 

[erf_beto]

When I read your thread title I was thinking this thread is about something like "Do you think that everyone gets Melee Training for free is a good house rule".

Me too!

I like mkill suggestions, a lot - I think they should be right there within the feat/class description!

 

[cdrcjsn]

Actually, I thought the thread title meant he wanted to give each ability score a different basic melee attack mode.

Dex = trip an opponent instead of doing weapon damage, as you use your agility against your foe

Cha = daze an opponent instead of doing weapon damage, as you deliver an insulting slap or gesture to the opponent

Con = you do [W] with no ability bonus to damage, but gain temp HPs equal to con modifier as you brace yourself for a counterattack

etc.

 

[mkill]

Actually, I thought the thread title meant he wanted to give each ability score a different basic melee attack mode.

Dex = trip an opponent instead of doing weapon damage, as you use your agility against your foe

Cha = daze an opponent instead of doing weapon damage, as you deliver an insulting slap or gesture to the opponent

Con = you do [W] with no ability bonus to damage, but gain temp HPs equal to con modifier as you brace yourself for a counterattack

Not my intention with this thread, but yes I'm toying with the idea to add more "melee basic attacks" to give PCs a few more options in combat beyond what's on their power cards.

Push: An unarmed Str or Con melee attack vs. Fort that pushes the target Str or Con squares

Disarm: A Str or Dex melee attack vs. Ref to make an opponent drop his weapon

Knock Down: A Str or Con melee attack vs. Fort that knocks prone

Distract: An Int or Cha attack vs. Will that gives the target -2 to attacks and makes it grant combat advantage (UEONT)

Drive Back: A Dex or Int melee attack vs. Will that pushes one square

Groin Kick / Head Smack: A Str or Con melee attack vs. Fort for some damage and daze UEONT.

 

[Stumblewyk]

Actually, the thread title is somewhat misleading...Melee Basic Attacks are ALWAYS Strength-based, unless the character has taken the Melee Training feat.

My inborn need to correct things that probably don't *really* need correcting now satisfied, I've always used similar justifications for classes that make melee attacks with powers keyed off of "non-standard" ability scores. In fact, I've never understood why, in previous editions, similar justifications couldn't have been made. Why can't a rogue use his keen reflexes to guide a precise strike between the baddie's shoulder blades with a standard attack? Why can't a really intelligent warrior-type spot flaws in his opponent's technique and exploit them?

After all, in a real fight, the strongest guy doesn't always win. Sometimes it comes down to the guy who's just faster, or just plain fights smarter, or the guy who's better conditioned, or the guy who's you-name-it.

*Note: guy could just as easily = gal, for this post's sake. *