Northlander Hewing or Power attack?

[Ahku]

Hello!

I was wondering what would be better for a pure barbarian with the following build:

Ice troll berserker
whirlwind frenzy

Northlander Hewing OR the Power Attack, Improved Power Attack feats?

thanks!

[Sputnik]

If you are wielding a two-handed weapon, then Improved Power Attack packs more punch in my opinion.
Especially if you have a high Strength modifier.

This is because the damage bonus from IPA is doubled when two-handing, and the Str mod is multiplied by 1.5x

That said, your AB will suffer, so you can try to pick up Expose Weakness to help you score more hits.

[Steve]

You can actually use both!

But the thinking is:

• Imp. PA is -6 AB / +12 dmg
• Northlander Hewing is -2 AC / + STR mod (not multiplied on 2-handed fighting) / + extra effect depending on type of weapon.

Most Barbarians have higher AB and lower AC, especially when not Raging. With a Whirling Barbarian, I'd say Imp. PA is the higher damage winner.

[Ahku]

okay,

So, the physical damage of Northlander Hewing stack with Power Attack?

Oh wait, are you saying that you do not have to 'activate' the northlander hewing (physical damage) to get the (special) whirlwind effect with a slashing weapon?

if that's true then NH whirlwind attacks works with Power Attack / Imp PA...that's interesting!
(so PA together with NH would be the best choice)


thanks!

[Wyatt]

I believe you must have NH active to get the special weapon attacks. Also there are gloves available with regular power attack so if you want NH you can get basic power attack without having to spend the feat.

[krighaur]

You must activate NH to get the whirlwind attack.

NH stacks with power attack AND with charge.

NH also stacks with combat expertise (when you want to strike hard but need a it more protection)

[Ahku]

Nice!

Does the CRITICAL calculate correctly when using both?

[Wyatt]

The problem with the critical was the old “max weapon damage” mechanic that NH added. The crits seem to be fixed now that it was removed.

[Ahku]

Great!

[Warath]

Does IPA bonus on 2h weapons (+12 damage / -6 AB) work with Monkey Grip?

[Theodore01]

for a small race with a large weapon yes, for other races not - as you are no longer 2h the weapon.