Strength Based Rangers....

[Illuminati]

I am looking at posting a few and wanted them to stay pure. Just curious what other's think of the following...

Race: Drow
Class: Ranger
Alignment: Neutral Good

Stats:
32 STR 16 (10 pts) (+4 Level, +2 Favor Tome, +6 Item, +2 Ram’s Might, +2 Greensteel Strength)
24 DEX 14 (4 pts) (+2 Enhancement, +6 Item, +2 Enhancement)
20 CON 14 (10 pts) (+6 Item)
10 INT 10
18 WIS 12 (4 pts) (+6 Item)
10 CHA 10

Max HP: 128 (Ranger) + 20 (Heroic Durability) + 10 (Favor) + 80 (Con Mod) + 36 (Toughness Helm/Feat) + 30 (Greater False Life) = 304

Feats:
1. Dodge
3. Mobility
6. Spring Attack
9. IC: Pierce
12. Power Attack
15. Toughness?

Attack Bonus:
+16 BaB
+11 Strength
+5 Weapon
+4 Greater Heroism
+2 Elven Rapier/ShortSwords
-2 TWF
-----------
+36

Saves:
+10/5/5 Base
+0/0/2 Drow
+0/0/3 Enhancement
+4/4/4 Item
+4/4/4 Greater Heroism
+5/7/4 Stats
----------
+23/20/22
***************************************

Race: Dwarf
Class: Ranger
Alignment: Neutral Good

Stats:

32 STR 18 (16 pts) (+4 Level, +2 Favor Tome, +6 Item, +2 Ram’s Might)
22 DEX 14 (6 pts) (+3 Enhancement, +6 Item, +1 Tome)
24 CON 16 (6 pts) (+6 Item, +2 Enhancement)
8 INT 8
18 WIS 12 (4 pts) (+6 Item)
6 CHA 6

Max HP: 128 (Ranger) + 20 (Heroic Durability) + 10 (Favor) + 112 (Con Mod) + 18 (Toughness Helm) + 30 (Greater False Life) = 318

Feats:
1. Dodge
3. OTWF
6. Mobility
9. IC: Slash
12. Spring Attack
15. Power Attack

Attack Bonus:
+16 BaB
+11 Strength
+5 Weapon
+4 Greater Heroism
+2 Dwarven Axes
-2 TWF
-----------
+36

Saves:
+10/5/5 Base
+2/2/2 Dwarf
+3/3/3 Enhancement
+4/4/4 Item
+4/4/4 Greater Heroism
+7/6/4 Stats
----------
+30/24/22

***************************************
Race: Human
Class: Ranger
Alignment: Neutral Good

Stats:

34 STR 17 (13 pts) (+4 Level, +2 Favor Tome, +6 Item, +2 Ram’s Might, +1 Human Enhancement, +2 Greensteel Strength)
22 DEX 13 (5 pts) (+3 Enhancement, +6 Item, +1 Human Enh, +1 Tome)
22 CON 16 (10 pts) (+6 Item)
8 INT 8
18 WIS 12 (4 pts) (+6 Item)
8 CHA 8

Max HP: 128 (Ranger) + 20 (Heroic Durability) + 10 (Favor) + 96 (Con Mod) + 18 (Toughness Helm) + 30 (Greater False Life) = 302

Feats:
1. Dodge
1. Khopesh
3. OTWF
6. Mobility
9. IC: Slash
12. Spring Attack
15. Power Attack

Attack Bonus:
+16 BaB
+12 Strength
+5 Weapon (Greensteel Khopesh)
+4 Greater Heroism
-2 TWF
-----------
+35

Saves:
+10/5/5 Base
+4/4/4 Item
+4/4/4 Greater Heroism
+6/6/4 Stats
----------
+24/19/17

[CSFurious]

how about a str-based elf that uses longswords? i know that could cause some dps with 30 to 32 str at end-game

[Illuminati]

how about a str-based elf that uses longswords? i know that could cause some dps with 30 to 32 str at end-game

Ill have to work that in as well since there is greensteel avail for that too.

[kingfisher]

how about a str-based elf that uses longswords? i know that could cause some dps with 30 to 32 str at end-game

this is what my main character is. I can hit a 30 str right now (lvl 13) with rams and rage. THe favor tome will put me at 32. i have a couple of rogue levels and a fighter level and have a good set of longswords, inlcuding all the necessary greater banes and the DPS is outstanding. very fun to play. hps at 240-260 depending on buffs, at end i will be over 300. the umd is good enough to self buff for damage mitigation (i have not tried a rd scroll yet but with buffs i should be able to succeed at a decent rate). trap skills are just good enough for quests on hard. i don't mess with traps on elite unless absolutely necessary.

this build rocks as a dps build, and has a wide set of skills for both solo and party play. lots of situational item switching and weapon swapping, but i enjoy that part as well.

[ghale]

Ill have to work that in as well since there is greensteel avail for that too.

I think why piercing had been included (not to speak for Illuminati really :))is even though they may be slightly less dps, piercing weapons in general have better crit effects that you can get on 15-20 range for rapiers.

There are some very nice longswords but having 15-20 banishing/smiting/puncturing is a pretty good bonus (I know slashing can have 15-20smiting as well).

[Vengenance]

I have a str based elf ranger or rather a balanced build that uses longswords as the primary melee weapon and long bows as primary range weapon and do quite well with dps output. My str is only 26, (28 with Rams Might, 30 with +2 bonus from upgraded weapon) but my dex is at a 32 (higher AC and better to hit with Long Bows). With the elven long swords enhancements (+2 Hit/+2 Damage), add in over-sized TWF and then a couple of +5 Bursting Longswords (I use 2 dragon swords of acid) and you'll really start having fun.

edit: this would also work with rapiers since elfs also get a racial affinity for those as well. I went with long swords since my rogue hogs all of my really good rapiers and I had a collection of really nice long swords.

[Gol]

I'm biased. Dorf for the win. Squishy for the lose. Next discussion, please.

[Illuminati]

I'm biased. Dorf for the win. Squishy for the lose. Next discussion, please.

I like them too Gol, only prob is being stuck with Dwarven Axe on the pure class when Rapier (for effects) and Khopesh are better weps.

[Gol]

Well, before tempest, str-based rangers had feats to burn so Khopesh wasn't a big deal. However, there's little-to-no reason not to pick up 1 or 2 levels Fighter for the bonus feats. Favored enemy at 15 being the little reason for 2 Fighter levels, I don't see a reason not to dip at least 1, though.

[Riekan]

My problem with dipping is that even 1 level and you're giving up your 5th favored enemy: +10 damage against 5 types of creatures is going to be nice. Also, they are already talking about Tempest II requiring 15 Ranger levels. I agree, that this is just currently talk and that nothing is actually in the game yet. However, this leads me to believe that they're might/should/could be some nice enhancements for Rangers in the 19-20 level range that you're also giving up without knowing what they are.

I understand and mostly agree with planning a character for what's in the game now since we don't know what's coming. But... I've been bit by that one in DDO too many times as the level caps increase (see many TRUE Batman builds around these days? What about low dexterity evasion Paladins?). In a perfect world, Turbine would have all the levels/spells/feats/enhancements planned out all the way to 20 so that we could make informed decisions about our characters as we level them. However, since we all know that will never happen, I have to plan on the side on NOT wanting to reroll my capped, max-favored strength based ranger after 18 levels...

So, without dipping fighter levels, I won't have the feats to pick up khopesh with the tempest feats, toughness, IC:slash, OTWF, and power attack at 18. This leaves me with the free Dwarven being the best option I have available given my Dwarven affinity for axes.

[EinarMal]

My problem with dipping is that even 1 level and you're giving up your 5th favored enemy: +10 damage against 5 types of creatures is going to be nice. Also, they are already talking about Tempest II requiring 15 Ranger levels. I agree, that this is just currently talk and that nothing is actually in the game yet. However, this leads me to believe that they're might/should/could be some nice enhancements for Rangers in the 19-20 level range that you're also giving up without knowing what they are.

I understand and mostly agree with planning a character for what's in the game now since we don't know what's coming. But... I've been bit by that one in DDO too many times as the level caps increase (see many TRUE Batman builds around these days? What about low dexterity evasion Paladins?). In a perfect world, Turbine would have all the levels/spells/feats/enhancements planned out all the way to 20 so that we could make informed decisions about our characters as we level them. However, since we all know that will never happen, I have to plan on the side on NOT wanting to reroll my capped, max-favored strength based ranger after 18 levels...

So, without dipping fighter levels, I won't have the feats to pick up khopesh with the tempest feats, toughness, IC:slash, OTWF, and power attack at 18. This leaves me with the free Dwarven being the best option I have available given my Dwarven affinity for axes.

Well consider this, with 4 Fighter levels you can take weapon spec which is +2 to damage against everything. So, you end up with +10 damage to 4 favored enemies, and +2 against everything else. You also get +1 to strength, 3 feats, and if you are not Dwarf +15 (toughness enhancements) and +8(Levels) for 23 more hit points.

So, barring some really good high level 16+ Ranger enhancements Ranger 15/Fighter 4 I think is better, especially for non-Dwarfs who could use the hit points. I guess Ranger 16/Fighter 4 or Ranger 15/Fighter 4/Barbarian 1 would be the way to go to stay full BAB, running fast is a nice free "feat"

Dwarf Ranger 15/Fighter 4/Barbarian 1

Get 7 feats +3 Bonus + Run Speed

Feats (In no particular order):
Dodge
Mobility
Spring Attack
IC Slashing
WF Slashing
WS Slashing
Toughness
Power Attack
OTWF
Khopesh

[kruggar]

in the dwarf build why not take the OTWF and put toughness.. this will open the enhancements line for dwarf.. increasing the HPs in another 65+

[kruggar]

i made a build thinking in monks later on of a twf elf max dex/good wis/and high str..

32 dex / 26 str and 24 wis in the end game.. that will pass the 60s ac with twf

[Illuminati]

i made a build thinking in monks later on of a twf elf max dex/good wis/and high str..

32 dex / 26 str and 24 wis in the end game.. that will pass the 60s ac with twf

Yep, gets sick with the Monk dip...

10 Base
16 Dex (greensteeled) *w/ 26 str endgame
8 Armor Bracers
5 Protection
5 AC Bonus Wisdom Mod
2 Tempest
4 Dodge (ring , feat)
5 Natural
4 Insight
----
59 standing , pretty sick

[Illuminati]

Looks good. All depends on Tempest II/III. I really wish they would post Tempest II at least since a lot of the multi-class splits would happen there.

I have a 6 Ranger/1Barb/2 Ftr on hold for it (Drow str based, double Short swords)
also a 6 Ranger/2 Fighter/2 Paly (Drow Str based, double Short swords)

Both have 340+ HP so not an issue of race with either.....

Comon Turbine, where is Tempest II?




Well consider this, with 4 Fighter levels you can take weapon spec which is +2 to damage against everything. So, you end up with +10 damage to 4 favored enemies, and +2 against everything else. You also get +1 to strength, 3 feats, and if you are not Dwarf +15 (toughness enhancements) and +8(Levels) for 23 more hit points.

So, barring some really good high level 16+ Ranger enhancements Ranger 15/Fighter 4 I think is better, especially for non-Dwarfs who could use the hit points. I guess Ranger 16/Fighter 4 or Ranger 15/Fighter 4/Barbarian 1 would be the way to go to stay full BAB, running fast is a nice free "feat"

Dwarf Ranger 15/Fighter 4/Barbarian 1

Get 7 feats +3 Bonus + Run Speed

Feats (In no particular order):
Dodge
Mobility
Spring Attack
IC Slashing
WF Slashing
WS Slashing
Toughness
Power Attack
OTWF
Khopesh

[EinarMal]

Looks good. All depends on Tempest II/III. I really wish they would post Tempest II at least since a lot of the multi-class splits would happen there.

I have a 6 Ranger/1Barb/2 Ftr on hold for it (Drow str based, double Short swords)
also a 6 Ranger/2 Fighter/2 Paly (Drow Str based, double Short swords)

Both have 340+ HP so not an issue of race with either.....

Comon Turbine, where is Tempest II?

I wouldn't hold your breath :) My Bard has been without level 2 of specialty enhancements for jeez 6+ months now! I am half expecting them to drop STWF completely as well....

[Renegade66]

Race: Human
Class: Ranger
Alignment: Neutral Good

Stats:

34 STR 17 (13 pts) (+4 Level, +2 Favor Tome, +6 Item, +2 Ram’s Might, +1 Human Enhancement, +2 Greensteel Strength)
22 DEX 13 (5 pts) (+3 Enhancement, +6 Item, +1 Human Enh, +1 Tome)
22 CON 16 (10 pts) (+6 Item)
8 INT 8
18 WIS 12 (4 pts) (+6 Item)
8 CHA 8

Max HP: 128 (Ranger) + 20 (Heroic Durability) + 10 (Favor) + 96 (Con Mod) + 18 (Toughness Helm) + 30 (Greater False Life) = 302

Feats:
1. Dodge
1. Khopesh
3. OTWF
6. Mobility
9. IC: Slash
12. Spring Attack
15. Power Attack

Attack Bonus:
+16 BaB
+12 Strength
+5 Weapon (Greensteel Khopesh)
+4 Greater Heroism
-2 TWF
-----------
+35

Saves:
+10/5/5 Base
+4/4/4 Item
+4/4/4 Greater Heroism
+6/6/4 Stats
----------
+24/19/17

This is effectively what I went with on my new lvl 16 Ranger "Guilloteen'. He wields a +2 Vorpal Khopesh of Pure Good and a +3 Vorpal Khopesh in the offhand. Nasty enough DPS with Power Attack on, plus the fairly frequent Vorpals with Greater TWF and Tempest Ranger.

Also, I have twin Green Steel Khopeshes with Material/Dominion/Earth at the 2nd upgrade. These each cast 2 earth ele's and are +5 Acid & Acid Burst. For the 3rd upgrade, I'll probably go Ethereal/Opposition/Earth on one Khopesh, which will add an occassional earthgrab and +4 insight AC. The other, I'll stick with the original line for earthgrab and Acid Blast. Acid Blast is being changed so that it will work on all crits and not just natural 20's.

I also made Will save goggles, which I am less than happy with. On the 2nd upgrade, they give +6 Will Save that doesn't stack with other resistance +5 items, so I effectively get +1 Will save and a clickie of true resurrection.

Differences:
- I use Breastplate of Vol, so my Dex is at 20 with no other items or tomes used.
- I can get my STR to 38 with a +6 item, rage pot, and double madstone boot effect, +2 tome, rams might, hum enh
- My CON is 24 so my HP are higher

[Yaga_Nub]

Ill-na-na, I think you forgot the best of all possible combinations - WF (for a STR based that is). Run your numbers and I'm sure you'll agree.

[Renegade66]

Ill-na-na, I think you forgot the best of all possible combinations - WF (for a STR based that is). Run your numbers and I'm sure you'll agree.

I'll take the extra feat for a human, FoM spell and triple upgraded immunity goggs that make you like a WF Paladin.

Blindness Immunity
Disease Immunity
Fear Immunity
Proof against Poison
Deathblock
Slay Living Guard (when hit in combat occasionally the creature is hit with Slay Living)
3 charges/rest of Weakness

Knowing that, I'm sure you'll agree that Human is the way to go. :D

[Yaga_Nub]

I'll take the extra feat for a human, FoM spell and triple upgraded immunity goggs that make you like a WF Paladin.

Blindness Immunity
Disease Immunity
Fear Immunity
Proof against Poison
Deathblock
Slay Living Guard (when hit in combat occasionally the creature is hit with Slay Living)
3 charges/rest of Weakness

Knowing that, I'm sure you'll agree that Human is the way to go. :D

I haven't seen the Deathblock and Slay Living Guard combo mentioned anywhere. SS or it didn't happen! :)

[GreenGurgler]

Also, I have twin Green Steel Khopeshes with Material/Dominion/Earth at the 2nd upgrade. These each cast 2 earth ele's and are +5 Acid & Acid Burst. For the 3rd upgrade, I'll probably go Ethereal/Opposition/Earth on one Khopesh, which will add an occassional earthgrab and +4 insight AC. The other, I'll stick with the original line for earthgrab and Acid Blast. Acid Blast is being changed so that it will work on all crits and not just natural 20's.



Isnt there a penalty for weilding 2 greensteel weapons / items at once??

[Yaga_Nub]

Isnt there a penalty for weilding 2 greensteel weapons / items at once??

Not for wielding two greensteel weapons but there is one for wear two greensteel items.

[Benjai]

I haven't seen the Deathblock and Slay Living Guard combo mentioned anywhere. SS or it didn't happen! :)

Slay living is 3x negative, the person who made it hasn't bothered to report it and I don't know the details.

[Yaga_Nub]

Slay living is 3x negative, the person who made it hasn't bothered to report it and I don't know the details.

Then how do we know this is actually what it is if the person hasn't reported it or posted a screen shot?

[Benjai]

Then how do we know this is actually what it is if the person hasn't reported it or posted a screen shot?

Ok well I guess if its not in that thread then it doesn't exist... because the forums are an all-inclusive base of knowledge.

[Yaga_Nub]

Ok well I guess if its not in that thread then it doesn't exist... because the forums are an all-inclusive base of knowledge.

Nope, I just don't trust you so if I don't see a screen shot of it or it's not been verified by someone running one of the lists then it's not in the game.

[Benjai]

Nope, I just don't trust you so if I don't see a screen shot of it or it's not been verified by someone running one of the lists then it's not in the game.

Happy?

Goggles (http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/6056/gogglesvr3.jpg)

[Yaga_Nub]

Happy?

Goggles (http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/6056/gogglesvr3.jpg)

Perfect!

[maddmatt70]

Well consider this, with 4 Fighter levels you can take weapon spec which is +2 to damage against everything. So, you end up with +10 damage to 4 favored enemies, and +2 against everything else. You also get +1 to strength, 3 feats, and if you are not Dwarf +15 (toughness enhancements) and +8(Levels) for 23 more hit points.

So, barring some really good high level 16+ Ranger enhancements Ranger 15/Fighter 4 I think is better, especially for non-Dwarfs who could use the hit points. I guess Ranger 16/Fighter 4 or Ranger 15/Fighter 4/Barbarian 1 would be the way to go to stay full BAB, running fast is a nice free "feat"

Dwarf Ranger 15/Fighter 4/Barbarian 1

Get 7 feats +3 Bonus + Run Speed

Feats (In no particular order):
Dodge
Mobility
Spring Attack
IC Slashing
WF Slashing
WS Slashing
Toughness
Power Attack
OTWF
Khopesh

Ironically this is the exact build idea that I have right now on a level 8 ranger/level 1 barbarian character. This character is a halfling for no other reason than I have not played a halfling before (I am excited though about the new halfling enhancement halfling guile which should be cool for red named)..

[EinarMal]

Ironically this is the exact build idea that I have right now on a level 8 ranger/level 1 barbarian character. This character is a halfling for no other reason than I have not played a halfling before (I am excited though about the new halfling enhancement halfling guile which should be cool for red named)..

Wow we agree on something....hehe. Yeah it is a good way to go, the only unknown is Turbine making up some super uber pure Ranger screw all the MC builds enhancement.

[MysticRhythms]

I too would like to see a Warforged version that takes advantage of the Warforged Power Attack enhancement line. I'd take khopesh proficiency over Toughness though. You'll have better Constitution anyway, so you can afford it.

[EinarMal]

I too would like to see a Warforged version that takes advantage of the Warforged Power Attack enhancement line. I'd take khopesh proficiency over Toughness though. You'll have better Constitution anyway, so you can afford it.

Would that really work on a Ranger? The bad thing about that is you can't turn it off (without turning power attack off as well). How much would you take -1, -2 more? I always found power attack pretty overrated for TWF, once it makes you miss even on a 2 the benefit really drops off fast.

[maddmatt70]

Would that really work on a Ranger? The bad thing about that is you can't turn it off (without turning power attack off as well). How much would you take -1, -2 more? I always found power attack pretty overrated for TWF, once it makes you miss even on a 2 the benefit really drops off fast.

I think this fits into the bard's rock catagory. If the warforged character runs with a bard all the time then that build works and would be sweet otherwise kind of rough especially if you get the whole line of a -3..

I ran with a warforged twf ranger the other day and he was doing well although I was on my warchanter battle bard playing max songs so I probably helped a bit (unfortunately he dccd on part 5 of the shroud run so our clerics ended up using more resources then they probably should have boo)..

[QuantumFX]

I too would like to see a Warforged version that takes advantage of the Warforged Power Attack enhancement line.

Your wish has been granted... (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=136508)

[winsom]

I have a str based elf ranger or rather a balanced build that uses longswords as the primary melee weapon and long bows as primary range weapon and do quite well with dps output. With the elven long swords enhancements (+2 Hit/+2 Damage), add in over-sized TWF and .

I'm leveling up one of those elves too. She probably won't get over-sized TWF until very high levels because I wanted to get the two shadow dragon marks and toughness first. I could fit in weapon specialization: slashing, as well, because she is taking at least 4 fighter levels, and possibly 8 Ftr levels before 20th.

[sirgog]

Happy?

Goggles (http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/6056/gogglesvr3.jpg)

That's been Photoshopped. Good try though. Just can't quite fool me :-)

[MysticRhythms]

Would that really work on a Ranger? The bad thing about that is you can't turn it off (without turning power attack off as well). How much would you take -1, -2 more? I always found power attack pretty overrated for TWF, once it makes you miss even on a 2 the benefit really drops off fast.

And I totally disagree. I think Power Attack vaults a TWF into the stratosphere for damage output because the offhand weapon benefits from the full damage bonus of Power Attack, unlike Strength bonus damage. the benefit is amplified ona Tempest because of the higher attack rate as well as Spring Attack mitigating the -4 penalty for moving. When you aren't moving, the +5/+10 bonus for the later attacks in the full attack sequence especially make this a non-issue.

It might be harder to pull off on a Strength build because the Finesse builds can often get enhancements to bring their Dexterity up by 5. Enemy AC's are so low that the penalty is incredibly negligible and if you bring a Warchanter along, it's really gravy.

I wish I could subtract even more Power Attack on my Ranger now. There are maybe 1-2 enemies in the game that make me shut Power Attack off and I really notice my DPS drop tremendously when I shut it off.

[EinarMal]

And I totally disagree. I think Power Attack vaults a TWF into the stratosphere for damage output because the offhand weapon benefits from the full damage bonus of Power Attack, unlike Strength bonus damage. the benefit is amplified ona Tempest because of the higher attack rate as well as Spring Attack mitigating the -4 penalty for moving. When you aren't moving, the +5/+10 bonus for the later attacks in the full attack sequence especially make this a non-issue.

It might be harder to pull off on a Strength build because the Finesse builds can often get enhancements to bring their Dexterity up by 5. Enemy AC's are so low that the penalty is incredibly negligible and if you bring a Warchanter along, it's really gravy.

I wish I could subtract even more Power Attack on my Ranger now. There are maybe 1-2 enemies in the game that make me shut Power Attack off and I really notice my DPS drop tremendously when I shut it off.

Spring attack does make a difference now, almost no Rangers had that prior to the Tempest enhancement (at least any of the builds I have seen).

Like I said it is great until it makes you miss, then it trails off quickly from there because it is a 1:1 trade off. Missing one swing usually adds up to a lot of damage on a strength based Ranger which negates many swings where power attack helped you.

If you actually chart it out, assuming something like a 30 str Drow Ranger:

To Hit:
BAB 16
Str 10
Weapon: 5
GH: 4
Haste: 1
Racial: 2
TWF: -2
PA: -5
+31

Damage:
Str: 10
Weapon: 5
Favored: 12
Rams: 2
PA: 5
+34/29

Assuming +5 Holy Rapiers and Tempest you are looking at ~160 DPS with power attack on and 141 with it off, that is assuming that you miss only on a 1. If you are moving it only takes you missing on a 1,2,3 to totally negate the benefit of power attack. It is a valid point that people gloss over assuming power attack always helps them. That only requires a 35 AC in the above build.

You have to be very careful, especially when moving, it you are missing on a 3 power attack is not helping you at all in the above case.

[Illuminati]

Don't forget Spring Attack. I used to think it was trash but I notice a big difference with PA on while moving with Spring Attack now.


Regardless power attack is better for two handers taking a -5 to one swing for +10 damage is better than taking a -5 to two swings for +10 damage. Spring attack does make a difference now, almost no Rangers had that prior to the Tempest enhancement (at least any of the builds I have seen).

Like I said it is great until it makes you miss, then it trails off quickly from there because it is a 1:1 trade off. Missing one swing usually adds up to a lot of damage on a strength based Ranger which negates many swings where power attack helped you.

If you actually chart it out, assuming something like a 30 str Drow Ranger:

To Hit:
BAB 16
Str 10
Weapon: 5
GH: 4
Haste: 1
Racial: 2
TWF: -2
PA: -5
+31

Damage:
Str: 10
Weapon: 5
Favored: 12
Rams: 2
PA: 5
+34/29

Assuming +5 Holy Rapiers and Tempest you are looking at ~160 DPS with power attack on and 141 with it off, that is assuming that you miss only on a 1. If you are moving it only takes you missing on a 1,2,3 to totally negate the benefit of power attack. It is a valid point that people gloss over assuming power attack always helps them. That only requires a 35 AC in the above build.

You have to be very careful, especially when moving, it you are missing on a 3 power attack is not helping you at all in the above case.

[EinarMal]

Don't forget Spring Attack. I used to think it was trash but I notice a big difference with PA on while moving with Spring Attack now.

I agree it makes a big difference, as does who you group with. A Bard also makes a huge difference. You do still have to pay attention to power attack while TWF which was my point :)

As a general rule if you start missing on swings with rolls of 4 or 5, you probably would be better off turning it off. For some people that would be almost never, for others it could be more often depending on what buffs/stats/weapons they have.