How does everyone use Lunge?

[The Dandy Lion]

I see this feat advised a lot as a core part of many builds. As someone who is all too eager to see where I can squeeze in Eldritch Heritage or VMC onto a character, this feat regularly comes into contest with my plans.

I can see it's a very good, if situational action economy saver and defensive tool - you can full attack things an extra 5 feet away, giving melees an effective 15-ft full attack range, or a ghetto spring (full!) attack if they're exactly 10 feet from the nearest target. Full attack, step away and now your target can't 5-ft and full attack back unless they have more reach than you, themselves.

Compared to a lot of non-archery combat feats this is already pretty great. I can see why most martials would be over-the-moon picking this. What I don't quite get is why it's described as a must-have for every reach caster under the sun, too.

It's a great positioning aid and gives martials a little more mobility. Is there anything else I'm missing?

[lemeres]

Positioning is an extremely powerful tool for reach weapon builds.

No, it doesn't add more area for AoOs. But it makes it easier to position yourself for AoOs.

Normally, when you use a reach weapon, you can't attack first without losing your AoOs. This is because the enemy ends up 10' away, so they only need a 5' step to get to you. That means they get their full attack and avoid an AoO.

In comparison, if you used lunge, you can attack from 15' away. The enemy is just outside your threatened range, and has to move 10' to get to you. That means a move action (which means they lose their full attack), and they will probably eat an AoO. This isn't 100%, because of enemies with reach or pounce... but close enough to still be fantastic.

So, lunge is an essential in distance control for reach builds. I would say it is the third essential feat for reach builds after combat reflexes and power attack. It is just a quality of life thing where you don't have to abandon options just to attack.

It also allows a reach user to full attack anything a 45' wide circle (this incldue 5' steps, lunge, and reach on both sides of the character). That is a VERY nice area, and depending on the environment (such as a cramped dungeon), it might just be only slightly worse than pounce. You can full attack at a distance that some halflings have to spend their whole move action to reach.

So if you are looking to poke things with a long stick, this is likely going to be your level 7/level 9 feat.

[The Dandy Lion]

Ahh, the enemy 5ft step issue is a crucial point I had completely overlooked! That detail changes quite a lot I had perceived about it, thanks.

[Chess Pwn]

often because reach casters don't always cast every turn, so reach is good since they are using a reach weapon.