Attack of Oppertunity Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Attack of Oppertunity Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Count Dooku
07-17-04, 08:02 AM I play 3.0 so if its different in 3.5 let me know.

Lets say a Gnoll is fighting a PC in mele.

The DM gives his gnoll 2 opitons:

1 - Attack the PC then retreat 30'

2 - Take a double move and retreat 60'

Would either or both or one option give the PC an attack of oppertunity at the gnoll?

why?

AoO confuse me greatly...Thanks for the help in advance.
Jurosem
07-17-04, 09:09 AM Both would allow an attack of opportunity. I forget the exact wording and conditions, but if you leave a threatened area, you provoke an attack of opportunity from the creature who threatened you. However, there is indeed an update in 3.5, which I just learned about in researching the answer to your question. If you make a double move you provoke an attack of opportunity as normal, but what you can do is use a Withdraw action, which it seems is exactly the same as a double move except you use it to move out of combat and it doesn't provoke an attack of opportunity from anyone who was threatening you when you started the move. Why don't I just let you read it for yourself ;)
From the SRD:
Withdrawing from melee combat is a full-round action. When you withdraw, you can move up to double your speed. The square you start out in is not considered threatened by any opponent you can see, and therefore visible enemies do not get attacks of opportunity against you when you move from that square. (Invisible enemies still get attacks of opportunity against you, and you can’t withdraw from combat if you’re blinded.) You can’t take a 5-foot step during the same round in which you withdraw.

If, during the process of withdrawing, you move out of a threatened square (other than the one you started in), enemies get attacks of opportunity as normal.

You may not withdraw using a form of movement for which you don’t have a listed speed.

Note that despite the name of this action, you don’t actually have to leave combat entirely.
His Majesty
07-17-04, 10:03 AM This is not a 3.5 update. You could withdraw in 3.0, too.
Count Dooku
07-17-04, 10:55 AM Thanks.

One of my players wanted to swing at the monster..then move away.

I told him if he does that he will provoke an AoO.
I said if all he does is move away though the AoO wont happen.

He said thats stupid....your still moving away so whats the difference?

The argument commenced and the PHB came out.
Seeker95
07-17-04, 12:24 PM Both of the things you presented can result in an AoO. However, the "take a double move" element can either be a withdrawal (no AoO) or just plain a double move.

Saying you take a double move is not the same as saying you take a withdrawal action. But since you're the DM, it is safe to say your intent was the safe withdrawal.

You were right.
The player was wrong.
:D
Count Dooku
07-17-04, 12:46 PM OK...whats th edifference between a double move and a withdrawl?

Can you withdraw and not move double your speed?
Can tou just withdraw 20' for example?
Zherog
07-17-04, 12:52 PM Withdrawing from melee combat is a full-round action. When you withdraw, you can move up to double your speed. The square you start out in is not considered threatened by any opponent you can see, and therefore visible enemies do not get attacks of opportunity against you when you move from that square. (Invisible enemies still get attacks of opportunity against you, and you can’t withdraw from combat if you’re blinded.) You can’t take a 5-foot step during the same round in which you withdraw.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Count Dooku 07-17-04, 08:02 AM	I play 3.0 so if its different in 3.5 let me know. Lets say a Gnoll is fighting a PC in mele. The DM gives his gnoll 2 opitons: 1 - Attack the PC then retreat 30' 2 - Take a double move and retreat 60' Would either or both or one option give the PC an attack of oppertunity at the gnoll? why? AoO confuse me greatly...Thanks for the help in advance.
Jurosem 07-17-04, 09:09 AM	Both would allow an attack of opportunity. I forget the exact wording and conditions, but if you leave a threatened area, you provoke an attack of opportunity from the creature who threatened you. However, there is indeed an update in 3.5, which I just learned about in researching the answer to your question. If you make a double move you provoke an attack of opportunity as normal, but what you can do is use a Withdraw action, which it seems is exactly the same as a double move except you use it to move out of combat and it doesn't provoke an attack of opportunity from anyone who was threatening you when you started the move. Why don't I just let you read it for yourself ;) From the SRD: Withdrawing from melee combat is a full-round action. When you withdraw, you can move up to double your speed. The square you start out in is not considered threatened by any opponent you can see, and therefore visible enemies do not get attacks of opportunity against you when you move from that square. (Invisible enemies still get attacks of opportunity against you, and you can’t withdraw from combat if you’re blinded.) You can’t take a 5-foot step during the same round in which you withdraw. If, during the process of withdrawing, you move out of a threatened square (other than the one you started in), enemies get attacks of opportunity as normal. You may not withdraw using a form of movement for which you don’t have a listed speed. Note that despite the name of this action, you don’t actually have to leave combat entirely.
His Majesty 07-17-04, 10:03 AM	This is not a 3.5 update. You could withdraw in 3.0, too.
Count Dooku 07-17-04, 10:55 AM	Thanks. One of my players wanted to swing at the monster..then move away. I told him if he does that he will provoke an AoO. I said if all he does is move away though the AoO wont happen. He said thats stupid....your still moving away so whats the difference? The argument commenced and the PHB came out.
Seeker95 07-17-04, 12:24 PM	Both of the things you presented can result in an AoO. However, the "take a double move" element can either be a withdrawal (no AoO) or just plain a double move. Saying you take a double move is not the same as saying you take a withdrawal action. But since you're the DM, it is safe to say your intent was the safe withdrawal. You were right. The player was wrong. :D
Count Dooku 07-17-04, 12:46 PM	OK...whats th edifference between a double move and a withdrawl? Can you withdraw and not move double your speed? Can tou just withdraw 20' for example?
Zherog 07-17-04, 12:52 PM	Withdrawing from melee combat is a full-round action. When you withdraw, you can move up to double your speed. The square you start out in is not considered threatened by any opponent you can see, and therefore visible enemies do not get attacks of opportunity against you when you move from that square. (Invisible enemies still get attacks of opportunity against you, and you can’t withdraw from combat if you’re blinded.) You can’t take a 5-foot step during the same round in which you withdraw.