Power Attack + Improved Combat Expertise [Archive] - Wizards Community

Power Attack + Improved Combat Expertise [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
JPDeed
11-28-07, 07:14 PM I have a player in my group Fighter 10/rogue 2/warblade 1/ weaponmaster (3.0 mod) 7 - he's reached 20th level, so has a swag of attack bonus under his belt.

The thing is, before every round, he'll get out his calculator, and work out the optimal amount of power attack AND improved combat expertise to use.
"Ah, I think I'll use ... 8 expertise and 7 power attack this round...."

I don't mind that he still can hit well and be armoured up like a tank - he's 20th so deserves it - but it seems kind of a clash to use these feats at the same time - and i am considering telling him to use one or the other in any given round. Anyone else have experience in this situation?
Mindolin
11-28-07, 07:28 PM There's nothing in the feats saying that they can't be used at the same time, so it's allowed.
StevenO
11-28-07, 07:35 PM Those feats can certainly be used together. Just remember that while the maximum for each is the character's BAB the PENELTY is taken from each of them. Assuming that build has a BAB +19 he could take a -19 attack penalty to add that to AC and another -19 penalty to add (or double then add) to damage.

If you want to look at using both abilities it is simply trying to avoid getting hit (Combat Expertise) while swinging for the hills (Power Attack) with each swing.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
JPDeed 11-28-07, 07:14 PM	I have a player in my group Fighter 10/rogue 2/warblade 1/ weaponmaster (3.0 mod) 7 - he's reached 20th level, so has a swag of attack bonus under his belt. The thing is, before every round, he'll get out his calculator, and work out the optimal amount of power attack AND improved combat expertise to use. "Ah, I think I'll use ... 8 expertise and 7 power attack this round...." I don't mind that he still can hit well and be armoured up like a tank - he's 20th so deserves it - but it seems kind of a clash to use these feats at the same time - and i am considering telling him to use one or the other in any given round. Anyone else have experience in this situation?
Mindolin 11-28-07, 07:28 PM	There's nothing in the feats saying that they can't be used at the same time, so it's allowed.
StevenO 11-28-07, 07:35 PM	Those feats can certainly be used together. Just remember that while the maximum for each is the character's BAB the PENELTY is taken from each of them. Assuming that build has a BAB +19 he could take a -19 attack penalty to add that to AC and another -19 penalty to add (or double then add) to damage. If you want to look at using both abilities it is simply trying to avoid getting hit (Combat Expertise) while swinging for the hills (Power Attack) with each swing.