I have a simple question regarding Power Attack and Combat Expertise. Could someone opt to take the lesser penalty/benefit of the feet?
i.e. could a fighter with a BAB of +4 choose either -1/+2 or -2/+4? Or could they only do the -2/+4?
I'm guessing yes, I don't see any problem with opting for the lower trade off, but the feat doesn't explicitly state that you can (or can't).
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You cannot. Using Power Attack as an example:
When your base attack bonus reaches +4, and every 4 points thereafter, the penalty increases by –1 and the bonus to damage increases by +2.
Not "you may choose to increase the penalty by -1 and the bonus to damage by +2", it just increases.
This is to keep the calculation quick and simple. At any point with Power Attack or Combat Expertise, you only have one option. Take X penalty and get X bonus to whatever, the X of which scales based on your BAB.
Your God of Knowledge,
Nethys
Going by the wording it sure sounds like you can't. From what I remember about the design intent it was meant to be either on or off now. I highlighted the sections of the feat that I think back this up.
"You can choose to take a -1 penalty on all melee attack rolls and combat maneuver checks to gain a +2 bonus on all melee damage rolls. This bonus to damage is increased by half (+50%) if you are making an attack with a two-handed weapon, a one handed weapon using two hands, or a primary natural weapon that adds 1-1/2 times your Strength modifier on damage rolls. This bonus to damage is halved (-50%) if you are making an attack with an off-hand weapon or secondary natural weapon. When your base attack bonus reaches +4, and every 4 points thereafter, the penalty increases by -1 and the bonus to damage increases by +2. You must choose to use this feat before making an attack roll, and its effects last until your next turn. The bonus damage does not apply to touch attacks or effects that do not deal hit point damage."
I don't exactly see a problem with what you are asking for and would help those that think the feat was nerfed. On the other hand I like being either on or off as a DM as its makes using it with monsters easier and even more so if it was included in stat block. Plus no more waiting for the "player" to calc out his exact Power Attack Number for this exact monster.