Ok I could have sworn I saw something on this question way back when but I can no longer find it. Why is Spring Attack a pre-req for Whirlwind Attack if you can't use them at the same time? I believe there was an old "ask the sage" on Wotc that addressed it, but I can't find it. I know that reading the feats you can't use them at the same time and if that's the case why would Spring attack be a pre-req typically the pre-reqs make sense and this is really the only one that bothers me.
In that old ask the sage I believe it was decreed you could use both at the same time.
Ok I could have sworn I saw something on this question way back when but I can no longer find it. Why is Spring Attack a pre-req for Whirlwind Attack if you can't use them at the same time? I believe there was an old "ask the sage" on Wotc that addressed it, but I can't find it. I know that reading the feats you can't use them at the same time and if that's the case why would Spring attack be a pre-req typically the pre-reqs make sense and this is really the only one that bothers me.
In that old ask the sage I believe it was decreed you could use both at the same time.
It has never been possible to use Spring attack and Whirlwind attack simultaneously in any version of the game. In 3E if you where hasted you would get an extra standard action and under those conditions could utilize both in a single round (but that is the one exception I can think of).
Whether the pre-req. makes sense I do njot know and actually don't find it that important.
If I had to argue for it I would say that whirlwind attack is a very challenging move that requires a lot of mobile maneuvering in order to not provoke AoO and thus spring attack could be considered a reasonable pre-req.
The reason why I disagree with the needing the Spring Attack is that Spring Attack is all about the I move hit someone and move away. Whirlwind Attack requires you to NOT move since you have to full attack.
The reason why I disagree with the needing the Spring Attack is that Spring Attack is all about the I move hit someone and move away. Whirlwind Attack requires you to NOT move since you have to full attack.
Technically you are right.
But... in order to strike avery single opponent within reach you are actually moving in place. You are making a stationary move but a move none the less - and a very violent one at that.