Comparing a Power Attack fighter to a Double Slice fighter is really quite easy, because they follow the same format. A few practical considerations are important to note, however:
• It takes two Interact actions to draw two weapons, so a Double Slice fighter or ranger is quite restricted should combat break out and their weapons are still sheathed.
• While it is more convenient to take down an enemy at low HP with a Double Slice than with a Power Attack, the Power Attack fighter or ranger could simply use a single action on a regular Strike to eliminate the enemy.
• In the event that the character has a third action to spare on a Strike, it is almost certainly better for that Strike to be made with a two-handed weapon than with a one-handed weapon.
• Conditional bonuses to damage favor Double Slice, while conditional penalties to damage favor Power Attack.
• A fighter's Attack of Opportunity is absolutely, positively stronger with a two-handed weapon than with a one-handed weapon.
After running some numbers, I had come to the following conclusion: At low levels, before any weapon potency runes, Power Attack is the winner. Once the first +1 weapon potency rune and doubling rings appear, Double Slice starts to pull ahead, and all the more so when +2 weapon potency runes show up. At 10th level, Power Attack pulls ahead again, and continues to beat Double Slice until greater doubling rings appear and allow Double Slice to secure victory forevermore by duplicating property runes.
In other words, Power Attack shines over Double Slice at 1st level until the first +1 weapon potency rune appears, and at 10th level until greater doubling rings appear. At every other level, Double Slice beats it out. That said, Power Attack fighters are still always superior for the third attack in a turn and for Attacks of Opportunity.
Does my analysis check out as correct? What do you personally think of this balance curve between Power Attack and Double Slice? Does it look like Double Slice is simply the better option for the majority of a character's career?
• Power Attack, Strength modifier +4, expert 1d12 weapon: 2d12+4 damage (average 17), costs 35 gp
• Double Slice, Strength modifier +4, expert 1d8 weapon, regular or expert 1d6 weapon: 1d8+4+1d6+4 damage (average 16), costs 35 + 35 = 70 gp
Purely Mathematic Verdict Ignoring Practical Considerations: Power Attack wins.
• Power Attack, Strength modifier +4, +1 expert 1d12 weapon: 3d12+4 damage (average 23.5), costs 100 gp
• Double Slice, Strength modifier +4, +1 expert 1d8 weapon, expert 1d6 weapon, doubling rings: 2d8+4+2d6+4 damage (average 24), costs 100 + 35 + 50 = 185 gp
Purely Mathematic Verdict Ignoring Practical Considerations: Double Slice wins, although only by a margin of 0.5 damage.
• Power Attack, Strength modifier +4, +2 expert 1d12 weapon: 4d12+4 damage (average 30), costs 500 gp
• Double Slice, Strength modifier +4, +2 expert 1d8 weapon, expert 1d6 weapon, doubling rings: 3d8+4+3d6+4 damage (average 32), costs 500 + 35 + 50 = 585 gp
Purely Mathematic Verdict Ignoring Practical Considerations: Double Slice wins.
• 10th-level and above fighter, Power Attack, Strength modifier +5, +2 expert Corrosive 1d12 weapon: 5d12+5+1d6 damage (average 41), costs 500 + 700 = 1,200 gp
• 10th-level and above fighter, Double Slice, Strength modifier +5, +2 expert Corrosive 1d8 weapon, expert 1d6 weapon, doubling rings: 3d8+5+1d6+3d6+5 damage (average 37.5), costs 500 + 700 + 35 + 50 = 1,285 gp
Purely Mathematic Verdict Ignoring Practical Considerations: Power Attack wins.
• 10th-level and above fighter, Power Attack, Strength modifier +5, +3 master 1d12 weapon: 6d12+5 damage (average 44), costs 2,000 gp
• 10th-level and above fighter, Double Slice, Strength modifier +5, +3 master 1d8 weapon, master 1d6 weapon, doubling rings: 4d8+5+4d6+5 damage (average 42), costs 2,000 + 360 + 50 = 2,410 gp
Purely Mathematic Verdict Ignoring Practical Considerations: Double Slice wins.
• 10th-level and above fighter, Power Attack, Strength modifier +5, +3 master Corrosive 1d12 weapon: 6d12+5+1d6 damage (average 45.5), costs 2,000 + 700 = 2,700 gp
• 10th-level and above fighter, Double Slice, Strength modifier +5, +3 master Corrosive 1d8 weapon, master 1d6 weapon, greater doubling rings: 4d8+5+1d6+4d6+5+1d6 damage (average 49), costs 2,000 + 700 + 360 + 1,300 = 4,360 gp
Purely Mathematic Verdict Ignoring Practical Considerations: Double Slice wins.
• 10th-level and above fighter, Power Attack, Strength modifier +5, +3 master Corrosive Shock 1d12 weapon: 6d12+5+1d6+1d6 damage (average 51), costs 2,000 + 700 + 700 = 3,400 gp
• 10th-level and above fighter, Double Slice, Strength modifier +5, +3 master Corrosive Shock 1d8 weapon, master 1d6 weapon, greater doubling rings: 4d8+5+1d6+1d6+4d6+5+1d6+1d6 damage (average 56), costs 2,000 + 700 + 700 + 360 + 1,300 = 5,060 gp
Purely Mathematic Verdict Ignoring Practical Considerations: Double Slice wins.
