Power Attack

• Type of feat: General (Tactical)
• Prerequisite: Str 13+; BAB 1
• Required for: Cleave, Divine Might, Divine Shield, Great Cleave, Improved Power Attack, Favored Power Attack.
• Specifics: A character with this feat can make powerful but ungainly melee attacks. When Power Attack is selected, it grants a +3 bonus to the damage roll, but at the cost of −3 to the attack roll.

A character wielding a two-handed weapon, or wielding a one-handed weapon with both hands, instead adds +6 to the damage dealt with this feat. Power Attack does not add bonus damage to a light weapon (except with unarmed strikes or natural weapon attacks), but the penalty to attack rolls still applies. Certain classes like the Frenzied Berserker enjoy a more favorable bonus to damage. Favored Power Attack can also increase the bonus.

• Use: Action Mode

NWN Comparison

• Power Attack in NWN gave a fixed +5 bonus to-damage with a fixed -5 to-hit penalty.

3.5E Rules Comparison

• D20 System Power Attack allows the character to select any value up to their BAB as a to-hit penalty and damage bonus.

Gameplay Notes

• Power Attack only recalculates when changing weapons.
• It can now be activated while moving.
• Shortspears should now benefit from power attack (but they cannot be 2H'ed).