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I have searched the forums and I haven't found an answer to this, but if it's there and I've missed it I apologize.
Does Overhand Chop cause Power Attack to double instead of being just 1.5? I think it should, and here's why:
Damage Mechanics:
1 Hand: add 1 x STRMOD
2 Hands: add 1.5 x STRMOD
2 Hands OC: add 2 x STRMOD
1 Hand PA: add 1 x STRMOD + 1 x PA Bonus
2 Hands PA: add 1.5 x STRMOD + 1.5 x PA Bonus
2 Hands PA/OC: add 2 x STRMOD + 1.5 x PA Bonus
In every case, the STRMOD multiplier and the PA Bonus multiplier are the same. However, in 2 Hands PA/OC the STRMOD coefficient is 2, and the PA coefficient is still 1.5.
If this was intentionally done for balance (because, really, that's a lot of damage), I get it. But mechanically, it would make sense to give the 2x power attack bonus. Thoughts?
No. Overhand Chop has absolutely no effect on Power Attack.
As written, Overhand Chop modifies exactly what it says it modifies: the character's strength bonus to damage. Power Attack is not mentioned by the ability, and is not altered by it.
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Yeah, that's how I read it, too. It just doesn't make any sense. If swinging over your head lets you use the full power of both arms (hence doubling your strength mod), then the full power of those arms being used in a power attack should be applied as well (not just the strength of an arm and a half.)
I know how RAW state it, and I play it like that. But it seems to me like an oversight, so I thought I would ask and see if someone from Paizo felt like weighing in.
Boosting the strength bonus and power attack bonus are two completely separate things. This is not an oversight.
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Boosting the strength bonus and power attack bonus are two completely separate things. This is not an oversight.
The similarities are striking...And I humbly disagree. I bet when the mechanics for Power Attack were being created, the guys sitting at the table said, "Well, when you swing with two hands, you get 1.5x strength. It just makes sense for you to get the same thing when you Power Attack." It's what I would do. And I think maybe that voice just wasn't a part of the overhand chop conversation.
But we can sit here and say "uh huh" "nuh uh" for ever. RAW are as you say, and that's how I play it. I just think it was an oops, and I want to bring it up.
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Not everything gives the same Power Attack multiplier as Str multiplier: see, Dragon Style and Dragon Ferocity.
Anyway, this is not really a rules question. It is either an errata request (one that you yourself admit is unbalanced, because it is,) or it is a house rule, in which case it belongs on the house rules forum.
I suggest we just let this thread sink... OP already knows RAW does not support his interpretation.
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If you did it would make the lv15 ability Greater Power Attack useless.
At 15th level, when using Power Attack with a two-handed melee weapon, the bonus damage from Power Attack is doubled (+100%) instead of increased by half (+50%)
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If you did it would make the lv15 ability Greater Power Attack useless.
At 15th level, when using Power Attack with a two-handed melee weapon, the bonus damage from Power Attack is doubled (+100%) instead of increased by half (+50%)
Ah. Yeah, ok. That makes sense.
And by the way, thanks for addressing the question rather than saying the equivalent of "That's dumb go away."
