AoO and Holding the Charge [Archive] - Wizards Community

AoO and Holding the Charge [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Gregthavious
03-09-07, 10:28 PM A player of mine wants to be able to make attacks of opportunity with spells whose charges she is holding--normally because she missed her initial melee touch attack and is waiting to try again next round.

I've always ruled that an attack of opportunity is a melee weapon attack, but rereading about attacks of opportunity, I don't see anything explicitly saying this is the case.

Have I been incorrect by not letting her inflict those fleeing opponents?
Lord Nedd
03-09-07, 11:42 PM I could be wrong, but if you are holding a spell, you are effectively threatening with a melee touch. If you are threatening, than I don't see any reason not to allow her to attempt an AoO. However, the first melee touch attack, she will discharge her spell and then she will not be threatening anymore.

At least that is what I would judicate without the books under eye.

-LN
CharlieRock
03-10-07, 08:37 AM Unless you have improved unarmed attack or something unarmed (even with a touch spell) doesn't get Attacks of Os.
One sec ...
page 139 PHB
Looks like delivering a touch spell counts as 'armed' unarmed attacks and get attacks of opportunity , and counts as 'armed' for gaining an AoO against an unarmed opponent that attacks her (say someone tries to punch her w/o the requisite feats).
Millennium
03-10-07, 10:03 AM If you're already holding the charge on a touch spell and someone provokes an AoO, you can make the AoO to attack with the spell. What you can't do is cast a quickened touch spell at the moment the AoO is provoked and then attack with that, because you can only cast quickened spells on your turn.
Gray Eminence
03-11-07, 03:44 AM Making an AoO with a touch spell is absolutely OK, it is even mentioned in the "Rules od the Game" article on AoOs. Look it up here: link (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20041102a).
Empiro
03-11-07, 05:16 AM A player of mine wants to be able to make attacks of opportunity with spells whose charges she is holding--normally because she missed her initial melee touch attack and is waiting to try again next round.

I've always ruled that an attack of opportunity is a melee weapon attack, but rereading about attacks of opportunity, I don't see anything explicitly saying this is the case.

Have I been incorrect by not letting her inflict those fleeing opponents?

As the others have stated, yes you can indeed touch an enemy if you're holding the charge on a damaging spell. However, the opponents should also be taking withdraw actions so as to not draw attacks of opportunity.
Gregthavious
03-11-07, 03:50 PM Thanks for all the feedback, and the link.

To address this:

However, the opponents should also be taking withdraw actions so as to not draw attacks of opportunity.

They normally do, but most opponents like to get one last attack before retreating, some start grapples despite the dark energy on her hand (hey, she missed once already), or don't have tumble to get to a flanking position (the total defense action works well here). It doesn't happen often, just enough to be interesting.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Gregthavious 03-09-07, 10:28 PM	A player of mine wants to be able to make attacks of opportunity with spells whose charges she is holding--normally because she missed her initial melee touch attack and is waiting to try again next round. I've always ruled that an attack of opportunity is a melee weapon attack, but rereading about attacks of opportunity, I don't see anything explicitly saying this is the case. Have I been incorrect by not letting her inflict those fleeing opponents?
Lord Nedd 03-09-07, 11:42 PM	I could be wrong, but if you are holding a spell, you are effectively threatening with a melee touch. If you are threatening, than I don't see any reason not to allow her to attempt an AoO. However, the first melee touch attack, she will discharge her spell and then she will not be threatening anymore. At least that is what I would judicate without the books under eye. -LN
CharlieRock 03-10-07, 08:37 AM	Unless you have improved unarmed attack or something unarmed (even with a touch spell) doesn't get Attacks of Os. One sec ... page 139 PHB Looks like delivering a touch spell counts as 'armed' unarmed attacks and get attacks of opportunity , and counts as 'armed' for gaining an AoO against an unarmed opponent that attacks her (say someone tries to punch her w/o the requisite feats).
Millennium 03-10-07, 10:03 AM	If you're already holding the charge on a touch spell and someone provokes an AoO, you can make the AoO to attack with the spell. What you can't do is cast a quickened touch spell at the moment the AoO is provoked and then attack with that, because you can only cast quickened spells on your turn.
Gray Eminence 03-11-07, 03:44 AM	Making an AoO with a touch spell is absolutely OK, it is even mentioned in the "Rules od the Game" article on AoOs. Look it up here: link (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20041102a).
Empiro 03-11-07, 05:16 AM	A player of mine wants to be able to make attacks of opportunity with spells whose charges she is holding--normally because she missed her initial melee touch attack and is waiting to try again next round. I've always ruled that an attack of opportunity is a melee weapon attack, but rereading about attacks of opportunity, I don't see anything explicitly saying this is the case. Have I been incorrect by not letting her inflict those fleeing opponents? As the others have stated, yes you can indeed touch an enemy if you're holding the charge on a damaging spell. However, the opponents should also be taking withdraw actions so as to not draw attacks of opportunity.
Gregthavious 03-11-07, 03:50 PM	Thanks for all the feedback, and the link. To address this: However, the opponents should also be taking withdraw actions so as to not draw attacks of opportunity. They normally do, but most opponents like to get one last attack before retreating, some start grapples despite the dark energy on her hand (hey, she missed once already), or don't have tumble to get to a flanking position (the total defense action works well here). It doesn't happen often, just enough to be interesting.