Power Attack and Natural Attacks

[Neal Litherland]

Quick question. If you have a primary natural attack (1.5 times your Strength modifier as a bonus to damage), does that also mean you deal increased power attack damage as if you were wielding a two-handed weapon? It seems like it should, but I was wondering if there was an official yay or nay that specifically spelled out yes or no in the text somewhere.

Thanks all!

[Letric]

Neal Litherland wrote:

Quick question. If you have a primary natural attack (1.5 times your Strength modifier as a bonus to damage), does that also mean you deal increased power attack damage as if you were wielding a two-handed weapon? It seems like it should, but I was wondering if there was an official yay or nay that specifically spelled out yes or no in the text somewhere.

Thanks all!

Yes it does. It says so on Power Attack

Benefit: 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.

[Neal Litherland]

... and now I feel silly. Thanks Letric!

[Menacing Shade of mauve]

But that needs to be a natural attack that adds 1.5 x Str. Regular primary natural attacks add x1. The increased modifier is used by creatures with only a single natural attack, and a few creatures who cbeat.

[Saldiven]

Primary Natural Attacks do not automatically grant 1.5 x Str bonus on damage.

The advantage to Primary Natural Attacks is that they use the full attack bonus. Secondary Natural Attacks get a -5 penalty on that full bonus.

MSom put it correctly.

Here are the relevant rules:

"If a creature has only one natural attack, it is always made using the creature's full base attack bonus and adds 1-1/2 the creature's Strength bonus on damage rolls. This increase does not apply if the creature has multiple attacks but only takes one."

and

"Some creatures treat one or more of their attacks differently, such as dragons, which always receive 1-1/2 times their Strength bonus on damage rolls with their bite attack. These exceptions are noted in the creature's description."