Is Power Strike a Weapon Attack?

[FireLance]

Not sure if this has been raised before, but power strike (the basic Essentials fighter encounter power) is listed as a "Fighter Attack" (with no level) and has the Weapon keyword. Does this mean that it is a weapon attack, and bonuses to the damage rolls of weapon attacks such as from the Heroic Slayer class feature and the Weapon Focus feat should be added to the damage dealt by this power? Since it has the Weapon keyword, should a magic weapon's enhancement bonus also be added to the damage roll?

 

[DracoSuave]

What damage roll?

It adds additional damage onto some other power. It does not make a damage roll itself.

 

[mneme]

FireLance: Nope! Because the power doesn't -do- any damage. It does "extra" damage, adding to the damage of another attack. Extra damage isn't a damage roll, and doesn't benefit from bonuses to damage rolls.

 

[Dr_Ruminahui]

I would argue that a [W] of "extra damage" is a die roll - but that's its of no consequence, because due to the rules of stacking (ie - you can't get your strength or enhancement bonuses twice) its of no consequence.

So, as the others said, no, you just get to add the extra [W] and nothing else.

 

[DracoSuave]

I would argue that a [W] of "extra damage" is a die roll - but that's its of no consequence, because due to the rules of stacking (ie - you can't get your strength or enhancement bonuses twice) its of no consequence.

So, as the others said, no, you just get to add the extra [W] and nothing else.

Except it isn't a die roll... it's +1[W] that is added on to a damage roll

If you have a power that deals 2[W] damage, that's only one damage roll, not two damage rolls. Sneak attack isn't a damage roll, it's bonus damage that adds on to other damage.

 

[Matt James]

This needs to be fixed as it opens up holes for those who need to follow RAW at all costs.

Edit: It should say Class Power. Not unlike how Half-Orcs have the racial ability that does something similar (Half-Orc Racial Power)

 

[FireLance]

Thanks, all! That's certainly a reasonable interpretation.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

It is one of those little rules points in 4e that can be contentious. Attack powers are a specific type of power, but not every attack power use is an attack. Sadly it is hard to define an exact rule, it is more like 'you know them when you see them'.

 

[DracoSuave]

It is an attack, tho, by the definition.

38. What happens if I use magic missile while benefiting from a power like greater invisibility? Does it count as an attack and would my invisibility end?

Yes, it does, and yes, it would. The initial use of any attack power that has a target line, an attack line, or both counts as making an attack. Because of this fact, using an attack power like the fighter's rain of steel does not count as making an attack, since the power has neither a target line nor an attack line.

So, it is a weapon attack power, and using it is a weapon attack.

The reason you don't get bonus damage is because it doesn't have a damage roll, but applies additional damage onto something else entirely. If it had said, instead: "Effect: 1[W] damage" then it would actually be a separate damage roll and would get all the bonuses.

 

[FireLance]

It is an attack, tho, by the definition.

Mind you, I consider it unfortunate that this explanation is in the FAQ and not in the actual rules.