Why is Power Attack stength based?

[Artos]

I understand that the flavor of Power Attack is best described as a huge, wild swing of one's blade, trying to destroy the enemy, thus it's less controlled, but with more force. However, I can't help but think that the same basic mechanic (minus the 2-handed rule), would work perfectly for a carefully placed strike at a vital point, with a success leading to a heart-strike and a miss glancing off harmlessly. Is there any reason I couldn't do this with a slightly altered feat? Perhaps requirements Dex 13 or Int 13?

-Chris

 

[Nyeshet]

Dex already does a lot. Also, precision damage is already accounted for in things like Sneak Attack, Sudden Attack, Skirmish Attack, Ninja Attack - wait, ninjas use Sudden Attack, so that is already covered.

If you really really want to use Dex, I would probably require an additional feat to use Dex instead of Str with Power Attack. Note, however, that the extra damage you get from this will pale considerably in comparison to Sneak Attack, even at low levels.

As with Sneak Attack - and unlike Power Attack - a Dex based Power Attack should fail whenever precision damage cannot be accomplished. And so it will not work against undead, constructs, plants, aberration, elementals, etc, and it will require the foe to be either flanked or flat footed. This is true of all precision based damage in the entire game, with exceptions only allowed with the use of specific feats.

 

[robberbaron]

Have a Precision Strike feat with Weapon Finesse as a pre-requisite, perhaps allowing a maximum attack penalty/damage bonus of DEX bonus, rather than BAB. Otherwise, it is just a way to get big damage without applying big force.

 

[Jondor_Battlehammer]

Smart attack - By taking a penalty to damage, you gain half that penalty as a bonus to hit. If you use a light weapon, every -1 to damage you take grants you a +1 to hit. Your bonus to hit may never exceed your BAB.

Only a semi serious suggestion. The PA mechanic does not work well with anything other than Str.