Whirlwind Attack Complications

[strongbow]

Whirlwind Attack Feat: When the character performs the full attack action, he or she can give up all regular attacks and instead make one melee attack at the full base attack bonus against each opponent within 5 feet.

Melee Attack (PH 123)
With a normal melee weapon, you can strike any enemy within 5 ft...

Now Unarmed Attacks are listed seperately on page 123 from melee attacks. Can someone use the Whirlwind Attack Feat and use an unarmed attack in place of a melee attack? Furthermore, may a creature with natural weapons use whirlwind attack with its natural weapons. (I am differentiating between natural weapons and an unarmed attack here)

Taken one step further, could a caster who has chill touch already charged use a whirlwind attack to attack everyone within 5 ft with an unarmed attack, following the standard rules and drawing an AoO if the caster did not have Improved Unarmed Strike, and therefore by able to attack everyone around the caster for damage and a few of the surrounding enemies with chill touch?

 

[hong]

Now Unarmed Attacks are listed seperately on page 123 from melee attacks. Can someone use the Whirlwind Attack Feat and use an unarmed attack in place of a melee attack?

Yes. Unless they have Improved Unarmed Strike, however, they draw an AoO from every (armed) enemy they attack.

Furthermore, may a creature with natural weapons use whirlwind attack with its natural weapons.

Yes.

Taken one step further, could a caster who has chill touch already charged use a whirlwind attack to attack everyone within 5 ft with an unarmed attack, following the standard rules and drawing an AoO if the caster did not have Improved Unarmed Strike, and therefore by able to attack everyone around the caster for damage and a few of the surrounding enemies with chill touch?

You don't need Improved Unarmed Strike for the initial attack, since discharging a touch spell doesn't draw an AoO. The remainder of the attacks would draw AoOs, though.

 

[drnuncheon]

Actually, hong, chill touch lasts for 1 touch/level, so as long as there's not more creatures around than the caster has levels, he needn't take an AoO at all.

I do not believe you can cast chill touch and perform a whirlwind attack in the same round, though - a single touch is all you get in the round of casting.

 

[hong]

Actually, hong, chill touch lasts for 1 touch/level, so as long as there's not more creatures around than the caster has levels, he needn't take an AoO at all.

True, however, you can only discharge one chill touch attack per round -- check the spell description.

 

[Li Shenron]

If I may add an extra question about Whirlwind Attack...

... how do you "whirl" with a reach weapon?

1. You can't: a reach weapon strikes 10ft away, WWA works at 5ft away

2. You strike everyone at 10ft away, the WWA description (which says clearly 5ft) just forgot the possibility of using reach

3. You strike everyone at 5ft away, even if the weapon has reach

4. You strike everyone at 10ft AND at 5ft (the latter with the weapon's shaft, ie less damage + break chance)

Strictly by how rules are written, I'd have to say 1. But I'd really love to see something like 4. in action

 

[kreynolds]

If I may add an extra question about Whirlwind Attack...

... how do you "whirl" with a reach weapon?

1)

The Improved Whirlwind Attack epic feat lets you attack everyone you threaten.

 

[mkletch]

If I may add an extra question about Whirlwind Attack...

... how do you "whirl" with a reach weapon?

You don't. Unless you have the epic feat that extends WA to all squares you threaten, you are SOL with a longspear and WA. A kind DM might allow you to use the longspear as a quarterstaff. I probably would, but would rule that you do not have reach until your next turn (for purposes of AoOs and such).

-Fletch!

 

[drnuncheon]

True, however, you can only discharge one chill touch attack per round -- check the spell description.

Where? I see the one time per level limit but no limit on touches per round whatsoever - not in the SRD or either version of the PHB.

(from the SRD)
A touch from the character's hand, which glows with blue
energy, disrupts the life force of living creatures. Each touch
channels negative energy that deals 1d6 points of damage and
possibly also 1 point of temporary Strength damage. (A successful
Fortitude saving throw negates the Strength damage.) The
character can use this melee touch attack up to one time per
level.

The spell has a special effect on undead creatures. Undead
touched by the character suffer no damage or Strength loss, but
they must make successful Will saving throws or flee as if
panicked for 1d4 rounds +1 round per caster level.

 

[mkletch]

Where? I see the one time per level limit but no limit on touches per round whatsoever - not in the SRD or either version of the PHB.

Excellent parry! I like this Whirlwind Chill Touch idea.

-Fletch!

 

[strongbow]

Whirlwind touch attacks... Brrrrr. I'm posting because I wanted to see if a lich could whirlwind attack with his template granted negative energy/paralyzing touch attack. If whirlwind chill touch is legal, then I guess whirlwind lich attack is as well.