I'm surprised I have not seen this on the boards yet. In the Beta overhand chop and backswing seemed like an interesting combo. Take a full round action, get a first attack with x2STR bonus to damage. If you hit take a second attack with x1/2STR bonus to damage representing a return swing with the 2 handed weapon.
From what the Alpha now states, overhand chop is now a standard action. Backswing is now identical to overhand chop, except its only on the first attack of a full round action, and gets a bump to x3STR at +11BAB. It has pre-reqs of overhand chop and BAB+6.
As it reads now, why would you ever want backswing before BAB+11? I guess it is intended so that you can get x2STR when making your +6/+1 full round attack, but I would view overhand chop (standard action same as a regular single attack) as already allowing that. Even the x3 bump I see as a level bump for overhand chop, and not really worth a separate feat either.
The 6th level barbarian with 18 Str:
Full attack:
+10 1d12+4 / +5 1d12+4
Raged:
+12 1d12+6 / +7 1d12+6
Raged with Power Attack:
+8 1d12+14 / +3 1d12+14
Raged with Power Attack + Overhand Chop(Beta Standard Action):
+8 1d12+16
Raged with Power Attack + Backswing (Beta Full Attack):
+8 1d12+16 / +3 1d12+14
Raged with Power Attack + Overhand Chop(Alpha Full Action):
+8 1d12+16
Raged with Power Attack + Overhand Chop + Backswing (Alpha Full Action):
+8 1d12+16 / +8 1d12+10
Assuming my example is correct, while the Beta version will allow more iterative attacks, I think the Alpha a more interesting version when it comes to combat choices. The feat name "backswing" makes sense in that version as a second attack with the return swing. In the Beta, its just another damage booster for the first iterative.
I didn't understand how the feat backswing actually works, can any of you please help me?
when using backswing, can you only do one single attack x3 str mod, or can you do one single attack x3 str mod PLUS the other attacks allowed by your full attack?
Page 82:
"When making a full-attack action with a two-handed melee weapon, add double your Strength bonus to the damage roll of your first attack. If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, add triple your Strength bonus to the damage roll of your first attack."Basically, the first attack is extra-powered, and all the others use the regular 'Bonus Strength x 1,5' damage.
And for anyone who might be confused by this:
I'm surprised I have not seen this on the boards yet. In the Beta overhand chop and backswing seemed like an interesting combo. Take a full round action, get a first attack with x2STR bonus to damage. If you hit take a second attack with x1/2STR bonus to damage representing a return swing with the 2 handed weapon.
In the Alpha Backswing gave an extra attack - as of the Beta it does not anymore. Backswing is simply the "full attack" version of Overhand Chop (letting you get your additional attacks), and does the x3 Str mod at BAB +11. Otherwise they are the same, and you can't combine them.
And for anyone who might be confused by this:
I'm surprised I have not seen this on the boards yet. In the Beta overhand chop and backswing seemed like an interesting combo. Take a full round action, get a first attack with x2STR bonus to damage. If you hit take a second attack with x1/2STR bonus to damage representing a return swing with the 2 handed weapon.In the Alpha Backswing gave an extra attack - as of the Beta it does not anymore. Backswing is simply the "full attack" version of Overhand Chop (letting you get your additional attacks), and does the x3 Str mod at BAB +11. Otherwise they are the same, and you can't combine them.
Maybe they should change the name of Backswing to Improved Over Hand Chop.