Power Attack, the details...

[Silas North]

Okay, I know Power Attack does an extra +6 dmg and still only gets a -3 penalty to attack when using a weapon like a greatsword, greataxe, or falchion as a human.

However, I've been reading some forums and it seems there are a few things I did not notice, or are not fully agreed upon by others, so I figured I'd start the best place I know to get the facts straight: here.

Do you still get +6 dmg -3 AB modifier when you are a human wielding a weapon like a longsword or scimitar? I thought I read a few people saying you only get +3 dmg.

Also, do you get +12 dmg when wielding a large weapon or a 1-handed weapon with two hands and using Improved Power Attack?

And last but not least.. I heard the bonus damage does NOT apply to rapiers when wielded by a human, despite them being a one-handed weapon. Is this true?

Sorry if these are 'noobish' questions (or whatever term they use for such), but I am extremely curious.

[cdnspr]

here's the deal for humans:

medium weapons (longsword, scimi) 1-handed+ PA: +3 dam, -3 attack
medium or large weapons 2-handed + PA: +6 dam, -3 attack
medium/large weapons 2-handed + IPA: +12 dam, -6 attack

power attack does not apply to rapiers since they are considered light weapons for humans (and thusly count for weapon finesse despite being medium weapons). also, if a human is only wielding a rapier, it only counts as a 1-handed weapon (you dont get the 50% str damage bonus)

i know the above from in-game experience; one of my characters is a human who was using a rapier but just got power attack. i had to switch to longswords to take advantage of it.

hope that helps

[Thief Of Navarre]

Favoured power attacks work differently to advertised!
It says they double the power attack bonus but in fact they just add either +3 or +6 for power attack and improved power attack respectively.

Can you imagine if they worked as stated? A Greataxe weilding ranger/frenzied berserker would be swinging around +48 damage on their favoured enemies even before applying their generous strength bonus

[GodBeastX]

It's quite simple. If wielding in two hands, the power attack bonus doubles. It's that easy. Longsword in two hands is as good as a greatsword in two hands where power attack comes into play.

[nezzerscape]

same for elves?
same for dwarfs?
how does it work for hins?

[GodBeastX]

Yes. For example, if a halfling wields a longsword, it gets used in 2H, so you get double power attack.

[AsuraKing]

I can assure you from experience it works with hins, quite well... my favorite characters I've ever made were hin barbarian/frenzied berserkers and they can deal crap loads of dmg with power attack and imp power attack.

[cdnspr]

same for elves?
same for dwarfs?
how does it work for hins?

Basically, medium sized creatures (humans, dwarves, elves) have the option of wielding medium (longsword, etc) or small weapons 1-handed. Large weapons have to be held in both hands.

For small creatures (hin, etc), the same 'rule' applies, but with small weapons. Therefore, a halfling can use a longsword (w the martial weaps feat), but must use it 2-handed. Small creatures cannot use large weapons at all.

The doubling of power attack damage still applies no matter your size, so long as the weapon is 2-handed.

...
new, related question:
Can someone know whether small creatures can use heavy or tower shields? i havent tried this myself

[AsuraKing]

Can someone know whether small creatures can use heavy or tower shields? i havent tried this myself

Heavy yes, tower no, not even with monkey grip i dont think