Simple Question from a newcomer re: Power Attack [Archive] - Wizards Community

Simple Question from a newcomer re: Power Attack [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
lederman
06-03-07, 12:41 PM Does my fighter's power attack damage double on a critical hit? It's unclear in the source material and my party seems to be able to make compelling arguments for both sides.

Thanks!
Someone
06-03-07, 12:52 PM Quick answer: Yes.

Longer answer: Power Attack adds on to your "weapon damage", which is in the same group as strength, enhancement, and weapon specialization. When you get a crit, you roll your weapon damage multiple times, but not other damages, such as stuff like sneak attack damage or fire/ice/electric damage.
Ryusage
06-03-07, 12:54 PM Yes.
Bob Loblaw
06-03-07, 02:04 PM The latest issue of Dragon addresses this and it will appear in the upcoming FAQ (in case you need something "official"). Yes, it does get multiplied.
Novacat
06-03-07, 03:56 PM Rule of thumb: Anything which adds a simple value to your damage is multiplied. Anything which adds dice to damage is not multiplied.
Ryusage
06-03-07, 04:24 PM Rule of thumb: Anything which adds a simple value to your damage is multiplied. Anything which adds dice to damage is not multiplied.

except, of course, the base weapon damage.
Psyber7
06-04-07, 01:12 AM except, of course, the base weapon damage.

Base weapon damage being base weapon damage would by it's very defination not be classified as bonus damage dice like from sneak attack and such. I'm sure you were being silly there. :D

And, as everyone else has stated; yes the extra damage from power attack is mutliplied on a successful critical hit.

I once had a Dwarf manage a 6d8+81 critical hit on a creature while weilding a Dwarven Waraxe 2-handed on a Charge...

Here's how that worked...

Dwarven Barbarian 5/ Extreme Explorer 2 (ECS)
BAB +6
Strength of 18
Charge for +2 Attack, -2 AC; and a helluva nasty AoO on me.
Barbarian Rage for +4 Bonus to Str and Con.
Enlarge Person for +2 Size Bonus to Str, -2 Size Penalty to Dex, -1 Size Penalty to Attack and AC.
Bull's Strength for +4 Enhancement Bonus to Str.
Rage for a +2 Morale Bonus to Str and Con, -1 penalty to AC.
Total Modified Str Stat of 30 for a +10 Str Bonus.
Dwarven Waraxe Size Medium; 1d10 Damage enlarged to Size Large; 2d8.
2-handed swing for +15 from Strength Bonus.
6 pt. Power Attack with 2-Handed Weapon for +12 weapon Damage.
+12 to Attack, 2d8+27 base damage, with a x3 multiplier equals 6d8+81 points of Damage.

If I'd had the Powerful Charge and Greater Powerful Charge feats I would have done an additional 2d6 points of Damage on that hit, which would not have benefited from the multiplier for the critical. The attack was pretty much an all or nothing gambit against a Slaughter King (see BoVD).

I hope the example above helps to demonstrate the answer Lederman.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
lederman 06-03-07, 12:41 PM	Does my fighter's power attack damage double on a critical hit? It's unclear in the source material and my party seems to be able to make compelling arguments for both sides. Thanks!
Someone 06-03-07, 12:52 PM	Quick answer: Yes. Longer answer: Power Attack adds on to your "weapon damage", which is in the same group as strength, enhancement, and weapon specialization. When you get a crit, you roll your weapon damage multiple times, but not other damages, such as stuff like sneak attack damage or fire/ice/electric damage.
Ryusage 06-03-07, 12:54 PM	Yes.
Bob Loblaw 06-03-07, 02:04 PM	The latest issue of Dragon addresses this and it will appear in the upcoming FAQ (in case you need something "official"). Yes, it does get multiplied.
Novacat 06-03-07, 03:56 PM	Rule of thumb: Anything which adds a simple value to your damage is multiplied. Anything which adds dice to damage is not multiplied.
Ryusage 06-03-07, 04:24 PM	Rule of thumb: Anything which adds a simple value to your damage is multiplied. Anything which adds dice to damage is not multiplied. except, of course, the base weapon damage.
Psyber7 06-04-07, 01:12 AM	except, of course, the base weapon damage. Base weapon damage being base weapon damage would by it's very defination not be classified as bonus damage dice like from sneak attack and such. I'm sure you were being silly there. :D And, as everyone else has stated; yes the extra damage from power attack is mutliplied on a successful critical hit. I once had a Dwarf manage a 6d8+81 critical hit on a creature while weilding a Dwarven Waraxe 2-handed on a Charge... Here's how that worked... Dwarven Barbarian 5/ Extreme Explorer 2 (ECS) BAB +6 Strength of 18 Charge for +2 Attack, -2 AC; and a helluva nasty AoO on me. Barbarian Rage for +4 Bonus to Str and Con. Enlarge Person for +2 Size Bonus to Str, -2 Size Penalty to Dex, -1 Size Penalty to Attack and AC. Bull's Strength for +4 Enhancement Bonus to Str. Rage for a +2 Morale Bonus to Str and Con, -1 penalty to AC. Total Modified Str Stat of 30 for a +10 Str Bonus. Dwarven Waraxe Size Medium; 1d10 Damage enlarged to Size Large; 2d8. 2-handed swing for +15 from Strength Bonus. 6 pt. Power Attack with 2-Handed Weapon for +12 weapon Damage. +12 to Attack, 2d8+27 base damage, with a x3 multiplier equals 6d8+81 points of Damage. If I'd had the Powerful Charge and Greater Powerful Charge feats I would have done an additional 2d6 points of Damage on that hit, which would not have benefited from the multiplier for the critical. The attack was pretty much an all or nothing gambit against a Slaughter King (see BoVD). I hope the example above helps to demonstrate the answer Lederman.