Half-Orc Barbarian that just turned level 4, and took the Totem Warrior Bear at level 3, using a greataxe. I'm trying to decide between feats at Level 4, and have it narrowed down to GWM and Orcish Fury. Orcish Fury is tempting because my strength is at 17, so the +1 would help out my modifier.
My question is, when using GWM and Reckless Attack at the same time, do both rolls of Reckless have to take the -5 from GWM, or can the first roll take the -5 for GWM, and the second be a straight roll?
When you use Reckless Attack, all attacks you make have advantage during that turn. It is declared during your first attack of the turn.
Great Weapon Master is different, you declare whether you are using it on each attack. This means you can make one reckless attack with the -5 penalty and one without, but only the one with the penalty will deal the +10 damage from Great Weapon Master.
Orcish fury is alright. I wouldn't say it is as powerful as GWM, but it fills a neat role and can make for some memorable moments:
'The warlord attacks Balgruff in a flurry of vicious attacks, chipping away at the barbarians less practiced defense. Wounds open on the half orc, blood streaming as the Warlord presses his advantage... eventually, the spear slips through entirely -- impaling Balgruff through the chest.
"Now you die, savage", the warlord gloats, twisting the spear in the wound.
"If I die, I'm taking you with me", Balgruff responds. The barbarian grips the impaling spear, his larger hand crushing the warlords hand against the shaft. "Now you can't block", Balgruff smiles, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth as he raises his battleaxe in his other hand, bringing it crashing down on the warlords unprotected shoulder. As the lifeless body of the warlord crumples to the ground, Balgruff pulls the spear from his body and spits. "Good riddance."
...
That reaction attack on relentless endurance is pure spotlight moment, and the ability to pump a bit more damage isn't anything to scoff at either.
Mechanically, GWM is stronger, but orcish fury has its own charms.
If I'm going Barb or any GWM, I go big or go home...I always take the -5 for the big dmg bonus, you're a barb bamf. With reckless attack you always get advantage so most likely one of your rolls will hit...plus if you kill a creature you get an extra attack. I'd take Tough over Orcish Fury any day of year.
My question is, when using GWM and Reckless Attack at the same time, do both rolls of Reckless have to take the -5 from GWM, or can the first roll take the -5 for GWM, and the second be a straight roll?
That's cheating though. You're essentially being like "Oh my GWM didn't succeed, that's ok, my other roll did though so I'll take that instead! But if GWM did hit, you would have taken that, see how it's not proper. The rolls are for the motion of the attack. You can't swing wildly at a -5 and simultaneously be somehow swinging less powerfully but more precise at a 0.
Reckless Attack is just an advantage on the type of attack you're wanting to make. Both rolls are for the type of attack you're making. If you've chosen the attack to be a GMW attack, then both dice take a -5 penalty.
Hello Everyone,
Half-Orc Barbarian that just turned level 4, and took the Totem Warrior Bear at level 3, using a greataxe. I'm trying to decide between feats at Level 4, and have it narrowed down to GWM and Orcish Fury. Orcish Fury is tempting because my strength is at 17, so the +1 would help out my modifier.
My question is, when using GWM and Reckless Attack at the same time, do both rolls of Reckless have to take the -5 from GWM, or can the first roll take the -5 for GWM, and the second be a straight roll?
Thanks for any advice.
When you use Reckless Attack, all attacks you make have advantage during that turn. It is declared during your first attack of the turn.
Great Weapon Master is different, you declare whether you are using it on each attack. This means you can make one reckless attack with the -5 penalty and one without, but only the one with the penalty will deal the +10 damage from Great Weapon Master.
What Barathol_Creed said.
That being said, I'd recommend Orcish Fury over GWM just to get you up to 18 STR. That's going to help out more at that level than GWM's bonuses will.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Orcish fury isnt great. I'd go straight ASI or some other feat.
GWM is awesome if you have a high modifier or roll well regularly.
Orcish fury is alright. I wouldn't say it is as powerful as GWM, but it fills a neat role and can make for some memorable moments:
'The warlord attacks Balgruff in a flurry of vicious attacks, chipping away at the barbarians less practiced defense. Wounds open on the half orc, blood streaming as the Warlord presses his advantage... eventually, the spear slips through entirely -- impaling Balgruff through the chest.
"Now you die, savage", the warlord gloats, twisting the spear in the wound.
"If I die, I'm taking you with me", Balgruff responds. The barbarian grips the impaling spear, his larger hand crushing the warlords hand against the shaft. "Now you can't block", Balgruff smiles, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth as he raises his battleaxe in his other hand, bringing it crashing down on the warlords unprotected shoulder. As the lifeless body of the warlord crumples to the ground, Balgruff pulls the spear from his body and spits. "Good riddance."
...
That reaction attack on relentless endurance is pure spotlight moment, and the ability to pump a bit more damage isn't anything to scoff at either.
Mechanically, GWM is stronger, but orcish fury has its own charms.
Thanks for the advice, y'all.
If I'm going Barb or any GWM, I go big or go home...I always take the -5 for the big dmg bonus, you're a barb bamf. With reckless attack you always get advantage so most likely one of your rolls will hit...plus if you kill a creature you get an extra attack. I'd take Tough over Orcish Fury any day of year.
That's cheating though.
You're essentially being like "Oh my GWM didn't succeed, that's ok, my other roll did though so I'll take that instead!
But if GWM did hit, you would have taken that, see how it's not proper.
The rolls are for the motion of the attack. You can't swing wildly at a -5 and simultaneously be somehow swinging less powerfully but more precise at a 0.
Reckless Attack is just an advantage on the type of attack you're wanting to make. Both rolls are for the type of attack you're making.
If you've chosen the attack to be a GMW attack, then both dice take a -5 penalty.