Fighting unarmored foes and finesse attack

[bjorntfh]

In our campaign we've got a PC who routinely uses Combat Expertise, Power Attack, Defensive Fighting, Finesse and Intircate Parry with a great sword (there's one Aquillonian sword style that allows greatsword for Intricate Parry and finesse; the PC went out of her way to study there in game, the party literally had to detour to for it, but it's a viable fighting style; no worse than arming swrod and targe/buckler.) Suffice to say the PC has a to hit of around +3 at 8th level, but when she does hit... ouch.

She's got a defense score in the high 20's/low 30's but spends more time being a lynchpin to the party line than a mook killer. Overall it's a VERY defensive dueling style, but it's no less effective overall than the PAing misting barb is.

 

[Netherek]

Here's a problem though with the format. As you don't actually lower your BAB, a character with a BAB +5 could take a -10, and have a +5 DB, and a +5/10 damage. In fact if you can only hit on a 15 or greater, it's the Best format.

That's just plain wrong.

 

[argo]

Here's a problem though with the format. As you don't actually lower your BAB, a character with a BAB +5 could take a -10, and have a +5 DB, and a +5/10 damage. In fact if you can only hit on a 15 or greater, it's the Best format.

That's just plain wrong.

Its not wrong, its a viable strategy. In fact it even has its own acronym: APATT "All Power Attack All The Time". Usually seen used by raging barbarians with greataxes. And yes, it is a strategy that becomes more effective the worse your odds to-hit.

Nevertheless, you still won't find most people doing this as it completly tanks you chance to hit (you basically wind up playing for that 5% chance of rolling a 20) and if you are facing something tough enough that your full-BAB type characters need a 15+ to hit normally .... well then even jacking your DV up with Expertise/Fight Defensevly may not be enough to save your hide in that case. Running might be a better idea.

Still, it can be a fun character to play