Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 crashy1975 Sep 27, 2008 20:37:31	I'm not a big fan of the feat power attack. The feat is supposed to increase your damage output in exchange for accuracy. The problem is, reduced accuracy reduces your damage output. I think the trade off should be something else. So... Power Attack Prerequisite: Str 15 Benefit: You can draw on your strength and inner reserves of power to recklessly attack your foes with extra might. You gain use power attack as an at-will power. Power Attack Feat Power You attack your enemies with extra force, leaving yourself open to attack. At-Will ✦ Stance Minor Action Personal Effect While you are in this stance, you gain a +2 bonus to melee damage rolls (or a +3 bonus to the damage roll with a two-handed weapon). This extra damage increases by level, as shown on the table below. In addition, you take a –2 penalty to AC and Reflex defenses. This penalty does not increase at higher levels. Special: When you exit this stance, you continue to take the penalty to AC and Reflex defense until the beginning of your next turn.
#2 stoneheart Sep 28, 2008 21:17:42	Sounds more like a barbarian's rage, since you are giving up defenses. You are attacking with more power behind your blows, but leaving opening in your defense. IMO Power attack is an ability to use when you are fighting a monster with a low AC. You can put more power behind your weapon because the monster isn't adept at getting out of the way of your swings.
#3 crashy1975 Sep 30, 2008 18:54:50	Sounds more like a barbarian's rage, since you are giving up defenses. You are attacking with more power behind your blows, but leaving opening in your defense. Yes. Are you implying that's a bad thing? IMO Power attack is an ability to use when you are fighting a monster with a low AC. You can put more power behind your weapon because the monster isn't adept at getting out of the way of your swings. You are correct. The the question is, is it worth it? The strangest thing about PA is that the weapon that is hardest hit by the penalty is the weapon that should be most suited to it- the Greataxe. With the -2 to hit penalty, you will miss, over 20 attacks, 2 times more than you would otherwise- vs. low or high AC. This can be worked in as a penalty to damage using a 20 attack model. The greataxe, with its high damage and lower accuracy receives the greatest penalty. This also means that it is less useful to a 10th level char than a 1st level char (though it is very good that the bonus increases by tier). It reduces the usefulness of other feats like weapon focus and reduces the usefulness of all weapon-based powers. The trade-off is rather substantial.