Melee special attack

A melee special attack is the swing used to initiate a variety of single-target combat feats which can cause a special penalty to the target in addition to normal weapon damage. Related feats are Trip, Improved trip, Sunder, Improved sunder, Stunning Blow, Slicing Blow, Hamstring, and Sap. (Improved Feint is not a special attack because it cannot do normal damage.)

Such an attack is activated by using the icon for the particular feat. A single swing is made with the same total attack modifier as an ordinary attack would have, including the bonus from where you are in your Attack sequence. On a hit, the feat applies additional penalties beyond just damage, assuming the target fails the appropriate saving throw.

A special melee attack executes even if no enemies are in range, which wastes it. It must still recharge before it can be activated again.

Monks have additional special melee attacks known as Finishing Moves, some of which complement melee special attacks.