Alternative Iterative Attacks (3.5e Variant Rule)

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Alternative Iterative Attacks

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Author: Ghostwheel (talk)
Date Created: September 11, 2009
Status: Complete
Editing: Clarity edits only please
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Iterative attacks can be confusion, where people have to roll tons of dice in the course of a round, and every penalty or bonus requires minutes to fix all the attacks.


To fix these issues, we have the following variant:

At +6 BAB, rather than a single attack on a full attack, one can make two attacks, both at -2 to attacks (+4/+4). At +11 BAB, this penalty is lowered to -1 (+10/+10), and at +16 BAB the penalty disappears completely (+16/+16).

The use of this variant actually gives a small boost in power to meleers who need to roll around 8-13 to hit an enemy at their highest attack bonus. Only when the AC of an enemy is very low (required 1-3 rolled at highest BAB) or very high (requiring 18-20 rolled at highest BAB) will the "usual" method of iterative attacks be more effective.



Incidentally, the use of this variant carries with it a change to the Two-Weapon Fighting rules, as detailed below

Change to Fighting with Two Weapons

When making a full-attack action with an off-hand weapon, you gain an extra attack with the off-hand weapon. You take a -8 penalty to all attacks made that round. If the off-hand weapon is a Light weapon, the penalty is reduced by two. (Unarmed strikes and natural attacks are always considered Light weapons.)

Changes to feats

Two-Weapon Fighting

Replace Normal with the above description of Two-Weapon Fighting, and replace the Benefit section of the feat with the following: The penalties you take from fighting with two weapons to both your primary and off-hand is reduced by four.

Improved Two-Weapon Fighting

Replace the Benefit section of the feat with the following: When taking a full-attack action, you may take another iterative attack with your off-hand weapon in addition to the one normally taken. This iterative attack is at your highest attack bonus as normal, and is subject to the penalties of fighting with two weapons.

Greater Two-Weapon Fighting

Replace the Benefit section of the feat with the following: The penalty to attacks from fighting with two weapons is reduced by an additional one. Thus, the penalty is reduced to -1 when fighting with a light weapon in your off-hand, or -3 when fighting with a one-handed weapon in your off-hand.


New Feat

Superior Two-Weapon Fighting (Fighter)

Prerequisites: Dexterity 21, Greater Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Two-Weapon Fighting, BAB +16
Benefit: The penalty to attacks from fighting with two weapons is reduced by an additional one. Thus, the penalty is reduced to -0 when fighting with a light weapon in your off-hand, or -2 when fighting with a one-handed weapon in your off-hand.

Iterative Attacks Table

Table: Iterative Attacks

BAB Iterative Attacks Fighting with two Weapons (no feat) Two-Weapon Fighting Improved Two-Weapon Fighting Greater Two-Weapon Fighting Superior Two-Weapon Fighting
Primary Off-hand Primary Off-hand Primary Off-hand Primary Off-hand Primary Off-hand
BAB +0 to +5 -0 -8 -8 -4 -4
BAB +6 to +10 -2/-2 -10/-10 -10 -6/-6 -6 -6/-6 -6/-6
BAB +11 to +15 -1/-1 -9/-9 -9 -5/-5 -5 -5/-5 -5/-5 -4/-4 -4/-4
BAB +16 and higher +0/+0 -8/-8 -8 -4/-4 -4 -4/-4 -4/-4 -3/-3 -3/-3 -2/-2 -2/-2
  • Note: This table is for a single-handed weapon in the off-hand. Reduce penalties by 2 if the off-hand attacks are made with a light weapon.


Tome Version

Two-Weapon Fighting (Combat)

Benefits: This combat feat scales with your Base Attack Bonus.

  • +0: The penalties you take from fighting with two weapons to both your primary and off-hand is reduced by four.
  • +1: While armed with two weapons, you gain an extra Attack of Opportunity each round for each attack you would be allowed for your BAB. These extra attacks of opportunity must be made with your off-hand.
  • +6: When taking a full-attack action, you may take another iterative attack with your off-hand weapon in addition to the one normally taken. This iterative attack is at your highest attack bonus as normal, and is subject to the penalties of fighting with two weapons.
    You also gain a +2 Shield Bonus to your armor class when fighting with two weapons and not flat footed.
  • +11: The penalty to attacks from fighting with two weapons is reduced by an additional one. Thus, the penalty is reduced to -1 when fighting with a light weapon in your off-hand, or -3 when fighting with a one-handed weapon in your off-hand.
    In addition, you may Feint as a Swift action while fighting with two weapons.
  • +16: The penalty to attacks from fighting with two weapons is reduced by an additional one. Thus, the penalty is reduced to -0 when fighting with a light weapon in your off-hand, or -2 when fighting with a one-handed weapon in your off-hand.
    You may also add the enhancement bonus of either your primary or off-hand weapon to your Shield Bonus to AC when fighting with two weapons and not flat-footed.


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Back to Main Page3.5e HomebrewVariant Rules

AuthorGhostwheel +
Identifier3.5e Variant Rule +
Rated ByDanielDraco +
RatingRating Pending +
TitleAlternative Iterative Attacks +