Relecs's page

In the game I'm currently participating in we had a character death and the issue of a penalty upon death came up. In the end what we decided was that it's easier just to keep everyone at the same experience. If they die and make a new character, or if they make a new character because they feel like it they simply start with less gold appropriate to the spells they would have had to have cast in order to return to life and relieve their negative levels. In this way you are no more penalized for choosing to be resurrected as you would be for making a new character.

Remember it's just a game, only apply penalties if it would enhance everyone's gaming experience.

Situation 2 is correct.

Why would it bother? You are correct that the greatsword attack is better. So they might do it, if they find themselves without a greatsword (not all minotaurs might have the standard equipment). They might do it, because it is an iconic move of the minotaur, as well as the bull, thus being a very flavorful initiation of a battle (despite that it deals 1d6 less damage).
The minotaur's charge feat from Classic Monster Revisited will give a free bull rush attempt when making the charging gore attack.

Thank you, I guess a kind gm might also use it to start the fight so the players get one round of reprieve before the higher damage starts to pile up.

Looking at the Minotaur entry in the beastiary (206) I'm somewhat confused by the powerful charge (gore) ability.

the ability states:

Powerful Charge (Ex) When a creature with this special attack makes a charge, its attack deals extra damage in addition to the normal benefits and hazards of a charge. The attack and amount of damage from the attack is given in the creature's description.

What I want to know is: does this mean that when a Minotaur charges he gains a second attack, his gore attack in addition to whatever attack he chooses to execute; or does this just give the minotaur additional damage on his gore attack when it is the attack he chooses to use on a charge.

So...

Situation 1:

A minotaur charges his opponent and makes a single attack with his greataxe, In addition to this the minotaur gains a second attack with his gore, dealing higher damage than a standard gore as shown beside powerful charge

OR

Situation 2:

A minotaur charges his opponent and makes a single attack EITHER his greataxe OR his gore, the gore does double dice damage and 1.5 STR instead of 1 STR, the greataxe does standard damage.

So which situation is it? If #2 why would a minotaur ever bother to use its powerful charge when its greataxe does more damage?