Now that +X weapons by-pass different DR's does the Sword and Board Fighter really need Power Attack any more?
Is -x, + 2x all that good?
Also how many of you guys are still using 3.5 Power Attack rules where you choose how much rather than PF set amounts?
+12 to damage with primary weapon and +6 to damage with shield if you're shield bashing. Not too shabby. Why wouldn't you use it (barring the obvious high AC opponent)?
Sword n Board has always been my favorite style. Though I am about to put a 2Hw/TWF style Sword n Board its a weird mix of a Earthbreaker n Klar.
Just because you're wielding sword and shield doesn't mean you skimp on damage. All it means is that you're slightly better defended than those that don't.
From a roleplaying standpoint if you're not hurting me significantly or equal to the nearby spellcaster than i have every reason to go stomp that spellcasters face in and ignore the big metal thing in front of me trying to scratch me with its toothpick. If you are not making my life hard by performing combat maneuvers or dealing serious damage than you're not worth trying to fight. So power attack is nice to have alongside the TWF and shield bashing feats and easy to get since you should have at least a 13 strength if you're planning on hurting people in melee.