Calculated off base attack bonus. +1 base attack means with power attack you choose to take a minus 1penalty to gain +2 damage. Two handing the wep increases the bonus by 50% for a net +3 damage. Once your base attack reaches+4 and every +4 there after you take an additional -1 to attack and gain 2 more bonus damage.(3 if using both hands). Bane increases the weapon enhancement by 2. So thats +,3 weapon, + 1 base +3 strength for +7. -1 for powerattack = + 6 vs dragon.
I'm not sure where you get the impression that power attack means you can't use a shield? Because you certainly can.
With a shield, you'll be -1/+2.
Two handing the weapon, you'll be -1/+3.
==Aelryinth
The power attack feat reads as such in the player book:
When you use this feat, you gain a +2 bonus on your melee damage rolls until the start of your next turn. If you are using a weapon two handed, this bonus is +3 instead of +2.
Thus, assuming you two-hand the longsword, your damage will look like this:
Using dragon bane longsword against non-dragon:
Attack bonus +5, Dmg 1d8+5
Using dragon bane longsword against dragon:
Attack bonus +7, Dmg 1d8+2d6+7
Using dragon bane longsword and power against against non-dragon:
Attack bonus +5, Dmg 1d8+8
Using dragon bane longsword and power word against dragon:
Attack bonus +7, Dmg 1d8+2d6+10
The 2d6 is an additional set of dice you roll along with that of the normal longsword attack.
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So there are a few things here, I'll try to clear it up as much as a I can. You've got some stuff slightly mixed up with the shield and power attack, so I will attempt to be pedantic and clear it up.
Level 1 Fighter, 17 STR. That means his attack bonus is +1 and is strength bonus is +3. Like you started with in your example. You also seem to have left out the weapon focus bonus, assuming it's in longsword but that's only going to muddy up your examples a bit, and since it doesn't add damage we'll let it go for the moment, but it would add an additional +1 to hit in all examples.
Normal attack: +4 to hit, 1d8+3 to damage. Normal, vanilla, using 1 hand to wield the longsword (leaving the other hand free to do whatever, equip a shield for example).
Writing it to 'show your work' would be: +4 (+1+3) to hit, 1d8+3 to damage. Knowing that +1 for attack bonus and +3 for strength.
Using the longsword two-handed: +4 to hit (same +1/+3) to hit, 1d8+4 to damage. This is because you can get x1.5 on your str bonus for wielding it with both hands. See page 44 (or page 59) for more information about this. This precludes the use of a shield.
A one-handed then would be +4 (+1+3) to hit, 1d8+3 (+3). As you said.
A two-handed then would be +4 (+1+3) to hit, 1d8+4 (+4). As you said.
However, Power Attack itself does not preclude the use of a shield. It's a -1 to hit/+2 damage bonus for a one-handed or -1 to hit/+3 to damage for a two-handed Power Attack.
A one-handed power attack then would be +3 (+1+3-1) to hit, 1d8+5 (+3+2).
A two-handed power attack then would be +3 (+1+3-1) to hit, 1d8+7 (+4+3). As you said.
As a complete aside, if you plan on using two-handed attacks all the time you should use a greatsword (2d6 damage) instead of a longsword (1d8 damage). Now I know you started this with the dragon bane longsword in mind, but I'm talking generally for now.
So now, clear as mud right? You actually had it right except for it appears a minor confusion about one-handed vs. two-handed and Power Attack. So cool. Now let's mess everything up with the dragon bane longsword! :)
The short version is that the enchantment bonus from the longsword (either +1 or +3 vs. dragons) is NOT subject to the x1.5 that the strength bonus is. So your normal attack vs. anything but a dragon would be:
A one-handed attack against a goblin: +5 (+1+3+1) to hit, 1d8+4 (+3+1).
A two-handed attack against a goblin: +5 (+1+3+1) to hit, 1d8+5 (+4+1).
Your power attack versions against a goblin would be:
A one-handed power attack then would be +4 (+1+3+1-1) to hit, 1d8+6 (+3+1+2).
A two-handed power attack then would be +4 (+1+3+1-1) to hit, 1d8+8 (+4+1+3).
Now let's bring that dragon in...
A one-handed attack: +7 (+1+3+3) to hit, 1d8+6 (+3+3) + 2d6.
A two-handed attack: +7 (+1+3+3) to hit, 1d8+7 (+4+3) + 2d6.
A one-handed power attack then would be +6 (+1+3+3-1) to hit, 1d8+8 (+3+3+2) + 2d6.
A two-handed power attack then would be +6 (+1+3+3-1) to hit, 1d8+10 (+4+3+3) + 2d6.
I see a few other replies while I was working on this. Hopefully this helps break down each example in a way which makes sense. If not, let me know and I'll be happy to try to explain it again :)
LOL and that how the simpler "Beginners box" Work XD
Good bye and good night
Using it two-handed only increases the damage bonus from strength, not the attack bonus.
Yes.
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It sounds like a lot of damage, but a 1st level character is going probably have a very hard time with a dragon even with the sword. The dragon has an AC of 21 and in the best example we are talking about a +6 to hit which means you need a 15 or higher just to hit (or a 30% chance)! Even without Power Attack you are only going to up the hit roll by 1 needing a 14 or higher (or 35% chance) to hit.
The average damage on a non-critical hit is going to be about 21 points (1d8 = 4.5, +10, 1d6 = 3.5, 1d6 = 3.5 = 21.5). So you'll still need 3 average damage hits to kill it.
Meanwhile, the dragon is +10 to hit on it's bite. I believe the included Valaros has an AC 19, so the dragon needs a 9 or better to hit him (60% chance), and will do an average bite damage of 8 (1d10 = 5.5 + 3 = 8.5). So it'll need 2 average damage hits to kill Valaros. If it gets to make a full attack (move + standard, bite, claw, claw) it's pretty much over for poor Valaros. :) 60% chance the bite hits for 8, 55% chance for each claw to hit (average damage 4.5 + 2 = 6.5 each). So if it all hit, it's an average damage also of 21.5. Only Valaros will be pink goo.
Today's lesson? 1st level characters really shouldn't be fight dragons. :)
Today's lesson? 1st level characters really shouldn't be fight dragons. :)
Some first level characters probably shouldn't fight house cats.
Briggsie90 - it is in addition to normal damage.