Knockback Feat Need advice and help ! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Knockback Feat Need advice and help ! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Talon54
07-17-07, 04:36 PM OK knockback sounds like a really cool feat, but the rules are not very clear.

Races of Stone
Knockback (General)
Prerequisites: Improved Bull Rush, Power Attack, Size Large or larger (or Powerful build racial trait)

Benefit: If you score a hit while you are using the Power Attack feat, you can make a free bull rush attempt against the foe you hit, applying the number by which you reduced your attack roll as a bonus on the opposed strength check (as well as on the damage you deal). If you hit with a two handed weapon, you can apply double that number on the opposed strength check. Unlike standard bull rush attempts, knockback attempts don't provoke attacks of opportunity, and you don't move with the enemy you knock backward. Bull rush rules can be found on page 154 of the Player's Handbook.

Ok so here our my questions.
1. If a player strikes with the knockback, do they have to take that 5 foot step into the opponents square like you have to do on a bull rush attempt?

2. It says in the feat "you don't move with the enemy". Does that mean you can never push them back more then 5 feet no matter how much you win the str check by? (the bull rush feat in the PH says in order to push back more then 5 feet you have to move with them.) If you can push them back by more then 5 feet, can you choose how far? For example if i win my str check by 20, can i choose to only push him back 10 feet?

3. Could this feat be applied to any attack made with a power attack? Like an AOO on the same round you used a power attack, or with a wirlwind attack?

Any opinions or advice will help. Thanks in advance.
JLaurHughes
07-17-07, 10:16 PM Ok so here our my questions.
1. If a player strikes with the knockback, do they have to take that 5 foot step into the opponents square like you have to do on a bull rush attempt?
Since it works with power attack, no you don't need to be in the opponent's square to perform this attack. The weapon will already be in the square for you.

2. It says in the feat "you don't move with the enemy". Does that mean you can never push them back more then 5 feet no matter how much you win the str check by? (the bull rush feat in the PH says in order to push back more then 5 feet you have to move with them.) If you can push them back by more then 5 feet, can you choose how far? For example if i win my str check by 20, can i choose to only push him back 10 feet?
This means that even though you're performing a bullrush attack you will not move. Resolve the Bullrush normally. I would say yes you can choose to only push the opponent back only a part of the total result. Example: Your result is 25 the defender is 10 the maximum movement the defender goes is 20ft.(this includes the initial 5ft. for winning the bullrush) You have to be large or larger according to the feat(or have powerful build). As normal, the defender still provokes AoO if he travels through threatened squares, Difference now is that you don't move.

3. Could this feat be applied to any attack made with a power attack? Like an AOO on the same round you used a power attack, or with a wirlwind attack?
It states right in the feat that it applies to ANY attack made with the Power Attack Feat. Whirlwind attack on the other hand I don't know if a bull rush would be considered an additional attack or not. Whirlwind states you give up any additional attacks.

It is interesting though to be able to power attack on a whirlwind attack then with each attack perform a knockback dealing the damage and knocking the opponents away. Anyone who doesn't succeed against your bullrush attack moves away from you. And provoke AoO's for any passing through threatened squares. As a DM I would allow it.
Talon54
07-19-07, 11:22 AM Excellent, thanks that clears up a few things. The player with this feat is a real rules Lawyer, so i need all the second opinions i can get.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Talon54 07-17-07, 04:36 PM	OK knockback sounds like a really cool feat, but the rules are not very clear. Races of Stone Knockback (General) Prerequisites: Improved Bull Rush, Power Attack, Size Large or larger (or Powerful build racial trait) Benefit: If you score a hit while you are using the Power Attack feat, you can make a free bull rush attempt against the foe you hit, applying the number by which you reduced your attack roll as a bonus on the opposed strength check (as well as on the damage you deal). If you hit with a two handed weapon, you can apply double that number on the opposed strength check. Unlike standard bull rush attempts, knockback attempts don't provoke attacks of opportunity, and you don't move with the enemy you knock backward. Bull rush rules can be found on page 154 of the Player's Handbook. Ok so here our my questions. 1. If a player strikes with the knockback, do they have to take that 5 foot step into the opponents square like you have to do on a bull rush attempt? 2. It says in the feat "you don't move with the enemy". Does that mean you can never push them back more then 5 feet no matter how much you win the str check by? (the bull rush feat in the PH says in order to push back more then 5 feet you have to move with them.) If you can push them back by more then 5 feet, can you choose how far? For example if i win my str check by 20, can i choose to only push him back 10 feet? 3. Could this feat be applied to any attack made with a power attack? Like an AOO on the same round you used a power attack, or with a wirlwind attack? Any opinions or advice will help. Thanks in advance.
JLaurHughes 07-17-07, 10:16 PM	Ok so here our my questions. 1. If a player strikes with the knockback, do they have to take that 5 foot step into the opponents square like you have to do on a bull rush attempt? Since it works with power attack, no you don't need to be in the opponent's square to perform this attack. The weapon will already be in the square for you. 2. It says in the feat "you don't move with the enemy". Does that mean you can never push them back more then 5 feet no matter how much you win the str check by? (the bull rush feat in the PH says in order to push back more then 5 feet you have to move with them.) If you can push them back by more then 5 feet, can you choose how far? For example if i win my str check by 20, can i choose to only push him back 10 feet? This means that even though you're performing a bullrush attack you will not move. Resolve the Bullrush normally. I would say yes you can choose to only push the opponent back only a part of the total result. Example: Your result is 25 the defender is 10 the maximum movement the defender goes is 20ft.(this includes the initial 5ft. for winning the bullrush) You have to be large or larger according to the feat(or have powerful build). As normal, the defender still provokes AoO if he travels through threatened squares, Difference now is that you don't move. 3. Could this feat be applied to any attack made with a power attack? Like an AOO on the same round you used a power attack, or with a wirlwind attack? It states right in the feat that it applies to ANY attack made with the Power Attack Feat. Whirlwind attack on the other hand I don't know if a bull rush would be considered an additional attack or not. Whirlwind states you give up any additional attacks. It is interesting though to be able to power attack on a whirlwind attack then with each attack perform a knockback dealing the damage and knocking the opponents away. Anyone who doesn't succeed against your bullrush attack moves away from you. And provoke AoO's for any passing through threatened squares. As a DM I would allow it.
Talon54 07-19-07, 11:22 AM	Excellent, thanks that clears up a few things. The player with this feat is a real rules Lawyer, so i need all the second opinions i can get.