Polearm Master never did that, presumably you're thinking of Sharpshooter. I agree it's for balance, and for simplicity. For GWM, it's easier to keep track of simply adding your proficiency bonus to all attacks than to juggle when you are or aren't using the feat on individual attacks. For Sharpshooter, well... doing extra damage at the cost of reduced accuracy didn't really make a lot of sense with a ranged weapon. With a melee weapon you could justify it as taking wild, aggressive swings focused on power rather than accuracy. That's not really a thing you can do with a ranged weapon.
Polearm Master never did that, presumably you're thinking of Sharpshooter. I agree it's for balance, and for simplicity. For GWM, it's easier to keep track of simply adding your proficiency bonus to all attacks than to juggle when you are or aren't using the feat on individual attacks. For Sharpshooter, well... doing extra damage at the cost of reduced accuracy didn't really make a lot of sense with a ranged weapon. With a melee weapon you could justify it as taking wild, aggressive swings focused on power rather than accuracy. That's not really a thing you can do with a ranged weapon.
I think the idea with Sharpshooter is that you were aiming for "vital spots", so less chance of hitting but more damage inflicted when you did
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
You can still take GWF in 2024 and get the PB added to a long bow (as it fits the bill) and take sharp shooter for those advantages, and you don’t have to change anything. Plus on average you will do more damage because you will hit more because no penalty, it’s in the math.
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How many DM’s still include the -5/+10 for great weapon and polearm master feats. I don’t understand why WotC removed it from the 2024 rules.
I don't include -5/+10. As to why WoTC removed them probably for balance purposes.
Polearm Master never did that, presumably you're thinking of Sharpshooter.
I agree it's for balance, and for simplicity. For GWM, it's easier to keep track of simply adding your proficiency bonus to all attacks than to juggle when you are or aren't using the feat on individual attacks.
For Sharpshooter, well... doing extra damage at the cost of reduced accuracy didn't really make a lot of sense with a ranged weapon. With a melee weapon you could justify it as taking wild, aggressive swings focused on power rather than accuracy. That's not really a thing you can do with a ranged weapon.
I think the idea with Sharpshooter is that you were aiming for "vital spots", so less chance of hitting but more damage inflicted when you did
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Sharpshooter accuracy penalty was also often partly offset by Archery Fighting Style user.
You can still take GWF in 2024 and get the PB added to a long bow (as it fits the bill) and take sharp shooter for those advantages, and you don’t have to change anything. Plus on average you will do more damage because you will hit more because no penalty, it’s in the math.