Power Attack - Use it?

[Orion Pax]

Do folks use Power Attack these days?

I've experimented with it a bit and read some pretty detailed write-ups on when it makes the most sense, but I'm curious to hear if people here find the tradeoff worth it?

I know it partly depends on how well you can hit, or if you have a 2-handed weapon it gets more of a boost, etc. But I have tended to leave it off, since I kind of hate missing things. And that seems like more of a problem for harder foes & difficulties.

[Immortal Reaver]

Early on I use it on Enlarged Amiri with Charge on enemies that are knocked prone on the edge Grease. After chapter 3 it always stays on, unless I have trouble hitting enemy.

[Orion Pax]

Very cool. May I ask what difficulty by chance?

[Immortal Reaver]

Hard and Normal. I use most of the companion same way on all playthroughs

[ptirodaktill]

Its only worth using when your AB outclass enemy AC. Mostly lategame option, or combo with vital strike.

[Frostfeather]

Typically, martials (high BAB) = yes, others = no.

But a well managed Magus is a possible exception because they have multiple ways of improving their own chance to hit.

Also, it's kind of a niche situation, but a Magus using Spellstrike who misses can on their next turn Cleave and hit multiple enemies with that spell. So say I'm on Unfair, only 1 enemy is currently in range and it doesn't pose a huge threat... I can turn on Power Attack and risk a Spellstrike attack. If it hits, fine. If it misses, fine because the next turn more enemies are in range and I can now Cleave with that spell with Arcane Accuracy (and turn Power Attack off to do so if I want).

All that is to say that I've found that a Magus can potentially get more out of Power Attack than other medium BAB classes.

[mbradtke]

heavy attack is a must have for any melee DD focusing on 2 hand weapons.... or natural attacks, of course you turn it off if u face an enemy with high AC...

[Orion Pax]

Fascinating, thanks all. Next question: Would you prioritize it over other damage feats like Improved Critical or Accomplished Sneak or Crane Riposte? Those are I guess less potent but without any downside.

[Frostfeather]

Originally posted by Orion Pax:

Fascinating, thanks all. Next question: Would you prioritize it over other damage feats like Improved Critical or Accomplished Sneak or Crane Riposte? Those are I guess less potent but without any downside.

Personally, no. And I probably mainly originally took Power Attack early on as a prerequisite for something else so it's not in competition with something like Improved Critical at that time.

[Babbles]

No - great in the sequel, in Kingmaker, not so good. Use only to unlock other abilities.

[Duder]

I use it if their attack rolls are high enough

[talemore]

Doesn't matter if using it or not. They can't hit anything without true strike, may as well add as much -1 to hit as possible as long it allow a natural 20 which is why beyond 14 in strength is rather pointless.

Go for it.

[ShiroiWolf]

Power Attack is pretty much "must have" on almost all Strength based two-handed weapon builds based around classes with Full Base Attack Bonus and even some 3/4 Attack Bonus. The combination of the x1.5 Strength bonus damage and x1.5 Power Attack bonus damage really adds up to your damage output.

The Accuracy Penalty is usually not an issue so long as you've got decent equipment, feats, and character class build options.

A way to look at Power Attack is this: The goal is to front-load your potential damage ability to the more reliable first (and latter on, second and possibly third) attack roll with your highest attack bonus where you have the best chance already to hit.

[mmarsh]

Originally posted by ShiroiWolf:

Power Attack is pretty much "must have" on almost all Strength based two-handed weapon builds based around classes with Full Base Attack Bonus and even some 3/4 Attack Bonus. The combination of the x1.5 Strength bonus damage and x1.5 Power Attack bonus damage really adds up to your damage output.

The Accuracy Penalty is usually not an issue so long as you've got decent equipment, feats, and character class build options.

A way to look at Power Attack is this: The goal is to front-load your potential damage ability to the more reliable first (and latter on, second and possibly third) attack roll with your highest attack bonus where you have the best chance already to hit.

THIS!

Absolutely required on your STR based 2-handed melees because of the Strength bonus. The common mistake people make with is this that they take it too early at level. People need to take it at at least level 3 when the higher BAB negates the penalty.

Tanks can take it if there is nothing better, ranged should avoid it.

[ptirodaktill]

Dmg bonus is small and ofter irrelevant. A single miss due to lack of AB would give you a net loss compared to not using it. Unless you overshot enemy AC ofc=).

[talemore]

They're playing on the intro where strength based build work but as it progress the bab from levels is relevant and not if you got any strength higher than 14

It remove any stats from constitution, dexterity or wisdom which all play a higher role.

Two handed weapon or not is depending on if the character has higher or lower strength. They will be equal later on as it become irrelevant to have maxed strength if all it does is dying every time it gets hit by an enemy and the ridiculous attempt to avoid all melee by using long spears.