Piranha/Power Strike numbers confusion

[legojoe]

I don't get it at all. I've read some comments and I'm still confused. Why would you never get either one of these skills? The text is just boggling confusing.

I lose -1 ATK to get +2 ATK damage. So I'm essentially getting +1 across all attack right? I get the bit where certain thresholds for ATK increases the number of attacks you do but if you're already always going for 2-3 hits per round, why would having +1 total damage be a downside? I'm really confused as I'm not a total DnD player and these numbers make no sense to the common pleb.

[Beazel ✠]

You got it wrong.
Attack dictates your CHANCE of hitting enemies.
Damage dictates how hard you hit enemies.

What these feats do is that they'll increase your damage at the cost of reducing the chance of hitting the enemy in melee combat. Both the bonus and penalty increase every few levels.

Power Attack works based on regular strength-based attacks - so should be better for your Fighters, Barbarians and the like.
Piranha Strike works based on finesse-based weapons, so only light weapons coupled with the Weapon Finesse feat. Good for dexterity-based damagers, like combat-oriented rogues, monks and such.

[legojoe]

Ooooooooo. My god. Is this information on the character spreadsheet because I don't see it. But that makes so much sense now. Thanks.

[Doombringer]

The way Piranha Strikes and Power Attack work in game differ from how they work in PnP and how the in game descriptions say they work (lol).

Power Attack does 1.5x damage when using a weapon 2handed, but 0.5x damage on LIGHT weapons (description says offhand weapons, that is wrong)
Piranha Strikes only works on Finesse/Light weapons, but always adds full damage (description says half damage on offhand weapons, that is wrong)
Also Piranha Strike and Power Attacks say they don't work at the same time, but they do...

The penalties/bonuses from them show up on the character sheet.


Power Attack is better for 2handed weapons, Piranha Strikes is better for 2 weapons fighting, can use both at the same time if you have stupid high to hit (or are fighting something with trash AC).

[Vergessenen]

Originally posted by Doombringer:

The way Piranha Strikes and Power Attack work in game differ from how they work in PnP and how the in game descriptions say they work (lol).

Power Attack does 1.5x damage when using a weapon 2handed, but 0.5x damage on LIGHT weapons (description says offhand weapons, that is wrong)
Piranha Strikes only works on Finesse/Light weapons, but always adds full damage (description says half damage on offhand weapons, that is wrong)

Benefit: You can choose to take a –1 penalty on all melee attack rolls and combat maneuver checks to gain a +2 bonus on all melee damage rolls. This bonus to damage is increased by half (+50%) if you are making an attack with a two-handed weapon, a one handed weapon using two hands, or a primary natural weapon that adds 1-1/2 times your Strength modifier on damage rolls. This bonus to damage is halved (–50%) if you are making an attack with an off-hand weapon or secondary natural weapon
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/power-attack-combat/

[Doombringer]

I know how it works in PnP.
I know what the in-game description says.
It does *NOT* work like that in game.

Please check it in game... It works as I stated.

Put a light weapon in your main hand - half bonus damage.
put a non-light weapon in your off-hand - full bonus damage.
Check how much piranha adds with your off hand - same as your main hand...
Try using both at the same time (with finesse weapon) - they stack.