feat Improved Sunder

Improved Sunder (General)

This material is Open Game Content, and is licensed for public use under the terms of the Open Game License v1.0a.

Prerequisites: Strength 13, Power Attack.

Benefit: When you strike at an object held or carried by an opponent (such as a weapon or shield), you do not provoke an attack of opportunity.

You also gain a +4 bonus on any attack roll made to attack an object held or carried by another character.

Normal: Without this feat, you provoke an attack of opportunity when you strike at an object held or carried by another character.

Special: A fighter may select Improved Sunder as one of his fighter bonus feats.

How Improved Sunder Works

Improved Sunder is for attacks against objects an opponent is holding or carrying, such as a weapon or shield. The attack no longer provokes an attack of opportunity for making the sunder attempt, and the attacker gains +4 on the attack roll against that object.

Improved Sunder Example

A fighter attacks an enemy’s shield instead of attacking the enemy directly. Improved Sunder removes the attack of opportunity normally caused by striking the held object and adds +4 to the attack roll against the shield. Damage and the object’s own defensive statistics are resolved normally after the hit.

When It Is Useful

• Disabling a dangerous weapon rather than trying to defeat its wielder immediately.
• Breaking shields or other carried equipment that gives an opponent a tactical advantage.
• Strength-based builds already using Power Attack.

See the Feats index for other fighter and combat manoeuvre options.