So how does Cleave work?
For the attack roll do I add just the BAB or also the STR Modifier like on a regular attack?
You add all your modifiers to hit against the first target. You must hit the first target in order to "Cleave" through to the second target.
For Cleave you do a normal attack (BAB + Str) and if it hits you get a second attack for free against a target that you threaten that is adjacent to the foe you just hit. This extra attack has the same bonuses as the first attack (BAB + Str).
Naturally other attack enhancers like a Bard's Inspire Courage or flanking or height advantage affect each attack as appropriate.
Then I dont have any negatives on the first attack? It is basically a normal attack?
As I am lvl 1 my attack bonus is 1. My STR Modifier is 4 so for a regular attack I add 5 to the attack roll.
I was not sure if i can do that for a Cleave also. OR if I have to only use 1 - my base attack bonus - for the attack roll
You are correct. All bonuses and penalties apply.
Your attack bonus is:
Base attack bonus + Strength modifier + size modifier
Any additional bonuses or penalties that apply to your attacks will also apply. The Bless spell, for instance, or the enhancement bonus granted by a Masterwork weapon, or the +2 from flanking.
You might be confused by Power Attack, which is a pre-requisite for Cleave. You can choose if you want to Power Attack, and if you do, you take the -1 penalty on attack rolls in exchange for the damage bonus.
So your 18-Strength Human Paladin with Power Attack and Cleave can:
A) Standard attack: +5
B) Power Attack: +4 (+2 damage)
C) Cleave: +5 (and +5 to the next guy if you hit)
D) Power Attack Cleave: +4 (and +4 to the next guy if you hit, both with +2 damage)
You add all your modifiers to hit against the first target. You must hit the first target in order to "Cleave" through to the second target.So how does Cleave work?
For the attack roll do I add just the BAB or also the STR Modifier like on a regular attack?
Then I dont have any negatives on the first attack? It is basically a normal attack?
As a standard action, you can make a single
attack at your full base attack bonus against a foe within
reach.As I am lvl 1 my attack bonus is 1. My STR Modifier is 4 so for a regular attack I add 5 to the attack roll.
I was not sure if i can do that for a Cleave also. OR if I have to only use 1 - my base attack bonus - for the attack roll
Cleave has no penalty to its use until you gain a second attack in some manner (haste, two weapon fighting, a natural weapon, or just BAB of 6 or more). The first attack is exactly the same as normal, and then if it hits you make a second attack against a different target exactly the same as normal.
Once you have a second attack from some source, you need to choose between cleaving as a standard action, or making a full attack and getting all your attacks.
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the benefit of cleave at any level is it being a standard action. so you can use a move action beforehand, close with your opponents ( hopefully so they're adjacent so you can qualify to use cleave ), and attack.
if you have iteratives or haste attacks, its usually better to just use those, since they're not contingent on enemy position or connecting with the first swing.