Rules clarification: Mighty Cleaving weapon ability

[Shadowborn]

PRPG Core Rulebook, p471 wrote:

A mighty cleaving weapon allows a wielder using the Cleave feat to make one additional attack if the first attack hits, as long as the next foe is adjacent to the first and also within reach. This additional attack cannot be against the first foe.

The wording here seems a bit obtuse to me. It sounds as if the character wielding the weapon must have the Cleave feat in order to utilize this ability, and it allows an additional cleave attack beyond the one granted by the Cleave feat. Is this correct? If so, does that mean that a weapon with this ability offers no advantage to a character without the Cleave feat? A comparison to the wording in the 3.5 DMG seems to support this reading, but it would be good to have a clear ruling.

[Nethys]

Correct. You need to have the Cleave feat to take advantage of this. In total, it would allow you to make three attacks in total (one against your main target, then a cleave to two adjacent foes).

This ability is only really useful if the character does not have Great Cleave, as that feat will do what this ability does and more. It is another case of magic item vs. feat (much like Improved Critical and Keen).

Your God of Knowledge,
Nethys

[Tholas]

PRPG Core Rulebook, p471 wrote:

A mighty cleaving weapon allows a wielder using the Cleave feat to make one additional attack if the first attack hits, as long as the next foe is adjacent to the first and also within reach. This additional attack cannot be against the first foe.

Nethys wrote:

In total, it would allow you to make three attacks in total (one against your main target, then a cleave to two adjacent foes).

Wouldn't the wording imply that you can make a second attack against a subsequent target?

So, you have two enemies, you hit the first and, if you hit, can cleave the second two times. Yea, I know it sounds to good to be true and the term "first attack" and "first target" should be translated to eg. "the target you've hit before this one" and not "the first target you've hit this round"

Shadowborn wrote:

The wording here seems a bit obtuse to me.

Indeed *scratches his head*

[tejón]

Nethys wrote:

This ability is only really useful if the character does not have Great Cleave, as that feat will do what this ability does and more.

That's not entirely true. With Mighty Cleaving, you get the third attack even if the second one misses; not so with Great Cleave.

A reasonable house rule would extend Mighty Cleaving to Great Cleave as well: you attack until you miss, then get one more which can't chain.