Dirty Fighting and like feats

[Thorntangle]

I've heard from numerous sources that in order to use Dirty Fighting (and similar feats), a character must give up their multiple attacks (if they have mult. attacks) to make one Dirty Fighting attack in a full round action attack. These sources usually never point to a reference.

I've been researching this and can't find the source of this ruling. Some feats specifically state that multiple attacks must be sacrificed, e.g. Whirlwind Attack, "When the character performs the full attack action, he or she can give up all regular attacks and instead make one melee attack at the full base attack bonus against each opponent within 5 feet." Dirty Fighting doesn't have this proviso, which leads me to believe that it can be used with each multiple attack in one round as long as they result from a full round attack action.

Was this ruling Saged, FAQed or just hiding in plain sight somewhere?

 

[Magus_Jerel]

IIRC - the feat is worded such (either by errata or actual) that you must be using a full attack action to get the +1d4 dmg

It does NOT stack with the rogues sneak attack - that is Sage Clarification.

 

[maddman75]

I think it has been argued to death .

I don't know of any official ruling, only how I interpret things.

- You do not have to give up all your attacks. That would make this feat worthless except at low levels, where you can't take it (requires like 3/4 BAB)

- One of your attacks (most likely the first since it has the best chance to hit) does the extra damage on a hit.

This is the most reasonable use of the feat IMO - a little extra damage when you do a full attack, but not nutty either.

 

[RogueJK]

The official ruling is on page 73 of the newest version of the D&D FAQ. It's towards the middle of the right column.

One attack, with +1d4 damage.

 

[Thorntangle]

Thanks RogueJK. I think I like maddman75's compromise better than the FAQ.

 

[G.A. Donis]

Well that just makes a mostly useless feat into a completely useless feat. I have a fighter with Dirty Fighting and I'm not interested in giving up a second attack with my weapon (2d6+2+6(str)) damage for an additional 1d4. I guess I've wasted a feat selection.

The official ruling is on page 73 of the newest version of the D&D FAQ. It's towards the middle of the right column.

One attack, with +1d4 damage.

(edit to fix typo)

 

[RogueJK]

Well that just makes a mostly useless feat into a completely useless feat. I have a fighter with Dirty Fighting and I'm not interested in giving up a second attack with my weapon (2d6+2+6(srt)) damage for an additional 1d4. I guess I've wasted a feat selection.

Not necessarily. Talk it over with your DM.

My group has ignored this ruling, and have allowed the +1d4 damage to apply to all attacks taken during a Full Attack Action. So far, it doesn't seem unbalanced or overpowered at all. This might be a little powerful when combined with a totally min-maxed character, but with a normal PC, it's just fine.

After all, it's only 1-4 points of extra damage. And you have to spend a feat to get it. For anybody besides a fighter, that's a hefty price.

 

[G.A. Donis]

The DM is pretty cool about that kinda stuff. We've actually been applying the Dirty Fighting damage to all attacks when I take a full attack action so I would guess we'll keep on doing that. The only problem is that lately he's been throwing monsters at us that don't have "nards", so I can't use Dirty Fighting . But it does come in handy on occassion

Not necessarily. Talk it over with your DM.

My group has ignored this ruling, and have allowed the +1d4 damage to apply to all attacks taken during a Full Attack Action. So far, it doesn't seem unbalanced or overpowered at all. This might be a little powerful when combined with a totally min-maxed character, but with a normal PC, it's just fine.

After all, it's only 1-4 points of extra damage. And you have to spend a feat to get it. For anybody besides a fighter, that's a hefty price.