Attacks of Opportunity Help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Attacks of Opportunity Help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Mellanos
12-26-04, 04:00 PM I was reading the rules in the player's handbook (3.0) about attacks of opportunity and the exact workings of the rules were a little unclear. Could some one please explain to me when and why someone gets an attack of opportunity (including threatened areas and such). Thanks for your help!
Steel Cobra
12-26-04, 05:08 PM I was reading the rules in the player's handbook (3.0)
Some rules in 3.0 can be unclear so ill try my best and correct me if Im wrong
attcks of oppertunity are attack with your normal sword/wepon and it occures when a PC/monster enters a thrented area and attempts to leave the thrented area (no matter how big). But if thePC/monster charges in and attacks/dosen't leaveit does not provoke an attack. you should see thretened spaces in the back of the PHB (might have to look at v3.5). Attack of oppunerty can be dangerous It killed my 9th lv PC :OMG!
Snicker-Snack
12-26-04, 05:43 PM AoO's are quite badly explained in the 3.0 PHB IIRC. Basicaly, it allows you to make a single attack against any enemy that lets his guard down in your threatened area.

There are many actions that provoke AoO's, such as drinking a potion or firing a ranged weapon.

Leaving a threatened square also provokes AoO's.

It's kind of complicated to explain any better than this, perhaps if you tell us exactly what is your doubt (perhaps what's the situation that was confusing you) we may help you more :).
Zetakya
12-26-04, 05:59 PM You don't get AoOs for entering a threatened area.

You do get them for moving within a threatened area, or moving out of a threatened area, unless you are using a 5 foot step or a total withdraw action.

You also get them for doing anything that is listed on the table in the combat section as provoking an attack of opportunity. It's rather a large table, so I'm just going to link to the version of it in the SRD: Clicky (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/actionsInCombat.html).

Note that many of the actions provoke AoOs normally but there are feats that mean that you don't. In most cases a player with one of these should know about those specific cases. Most of them are sumarised on the page linked.
Mellanos
12-26-04, 07:10 PM So which specific actions count as moving within a threatened area ? And if you leave combat with one enemy.... does that provoke an AoO? Is that a total withdraw action ? I'm not really sure what that means.
Mellanos
12-26-04, 11:14 PM **Back to the top**
Nom
12-27-04, 10:21 AM Some actions distract you from melee combat long enough that you might be a bit slow to dodge or block. The AoO mechanic models this by giving your opponent a free attack.

The table of actions in combat (8-2 on PH 3.5, pg 141; find the equivalent in your 3.0 PH) has a column that lists whether the action potentially provokes an attack of opportunity. In order for the action to actually provoke an attack of opportunity, you need to be threatened by an opponent. An opponent threatens you if they could make a melee attack against you at this exact moment with whatever weapon they are currently wielding. If they threaten you when you provoke the AoO, they can choose to take an AoO against you.

Several things can prevent the opponent making an AoO. If the opponent is not wielding a melee weapon capable of dealing lethal damage, they do not threaten and thus cannot make an AoO. An unarmed opponent, an opponent wielding a bow, or an opponent wielding a whip, and an opponent wielding a reach weapon whom you are close to do not threaten, since they could not at this moment make a melee attack dealing lethal damage with their current weapon. A flat footed opponent does not threaten. Other circumstances may also prevent an opponent threatening, and thus prevent them from making an AoO.

You always provoke the AoO in the square you currently occupy. If you later move into range it is too late - the AoO was provoked elsewhere and nobody could take it.

There are special rules for movement and AoOs. Despite what table 8-2 (or the 3.0 equivalent) may lead you to believe, movement doesn't automatically provoke an AoO. Instead, the general rule is that if you leave a threatened square, you provoke an AoO. 3.0 uses confusing words, but the rules have the same effect. The AoO is provoked in the square that you are about to leave.

* Example 1: Goblin runs up to fighter.

No AoO is provoked. The goblin entered a threatened square, but did not leave it.

* Example 2: Goblin runs up to fighter, but in doing so runs past an invisible rogue. The rogue's hands are empty.

No AoO is provoked, because a rogue doesn't threaten without a melee weapon. If the rogue had a weapon ready, she could have made an AoO.

* Example 3: Goblin runs up to fighter, but in doing so runs past an invisible monk. The monk's hands are empty.

Ain't Improved Unarmed Strike wonderful. Unlike a rogue, an empty-handed monk can make a lethal melee attack. Each time the goblin leaves a square adjacent to the monk, the monk has the option of making an AoO.

* Example 4: Goblin is next to fighter, and runs away.

An AoO is provoked when the goblin leaves a square next to the fighter.

* Example 5: Goblin begins next to fighter, and runs around behind him.

An AoO is provoked every time the goblin leaves a square in which the fighter could have attacked him.

* Example 5: Goblin runs up to ogre (10 ft. reach).

The goblin provokes an AoO when it leaves the 10 ft. reach square and closes to 5 ft. (adjacent). The attack is resolved before the goblin actually leaves the square.

* Example 6: Goblin runs up to fighter with longspear (reach weapon).

Like the ogre, the goblin provokes as it leaves the 'reach donut'. Unlike the ogre, the fighter doesn't threaten at 5 ft., so the goblin can run circles around the fighter with impunity. If the goblin tries to run away and thus runs through the 'reach donut', another AoO is provoked.

Special movement rules and AoO.

Alas, nothing is that simple. There are a few other special rules with respect to AoOs and movement.

(1) Any given opponent may only make one movement related AoO against you in a turn, even if they have a special ability (typically Combat Reflexes) that allows them to make multiple AoOs per turn. Once an opponent makes a movement-based AoO against you, they cannot make another in that turn, no matter how many of their threatened squares you leave. You may provoke multiple times, but once a given opponent swings you won't provoke that opponent again.

Be careful. This won't help you if you run past 20 goblins - each will get an AoO. It also applies only to movement. If you drink a potion and then run, the opponent can take one AoO for the drinking and one for the move, if they can make two or more AoOs.

(2) Certain conditions prevent movement from provoking AoOs.

The "5 ft. step" never provokes an AoO. Note that the "5 ft. step" is a special type of movement that is incompatible with any other movement in the turn. If you do not otherwise move (ie change square) and are not on "difficult terrain", you may take a single 5 ft. step for free in addition to your actions. "Moving 5 ft." (as a move-equivalent action) is not the same as a 5 ft. step.

Tumble allows a character to trade speed for immunity to AoOs. Likewise Spring Attack prevents AoOs under certain conditions.

In 3.5 there is a special full round movement action called "Withdraw". This is identical to a double-move, except that the leaving the starting square does not provoke an AoO. A goblin that Withdraws from a fighter will not provoke an AoO because it's starting square is the only threatened square it leaves. In contrast, an ogre cannot take an AoO in the first square, but will have the option to take one as the goblin leaves the 10 ft. range square. Only the first square is protected.

In 3.0, the same rule applies, but differently. In 3.0, if you only move and don't perform any other standard or move-equivalent actions, then you don't provoke an AoO in the starting square. This was too confusing, so the Withdraw action was created. The two are functionally identical.
FitzNighteyes
12-27-04, 01:08 PM So which specific actions count as moving within a threatened area ? And if you leave combat with one enemy.... does that provoke an AoO? Is that a total withdraw action ? I'm not really sure what that means."Within a threatened area" was the 3e for leaving a threatened square to move into another threatened square for that creature.

It applies if you move sideways through the reach of a creature with 5ft reach (ie move around with him adjecent at all times), of move from 10ft to 5ft for a creature with full reach. In other words, within the threatened area.

Moving into the threatened area is not moving within, it is moving into.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Mellanos 12-26-04, 04:00 PM	I was reading the rules in the player's handbook (3.0) about attacks of opportunity and the exact workings of the rules were a little unclear. Could some one please explain to me when and why someone gets an attack of opportunity (including threatened areas and such). Thanks for your help!
Steel Cobra 12-26-04, 05:08 PM	I was reading the rules in the player's handbook (3.0) Some rules in 3.0 can be unclear so ill try my best and correct me if Im wrong attcks of oppertunity are attack with your normal sword/wepon and it occures when a PC/monster enters a thrented area and attempts to leave the thrented area (no matter how big). But if thePC/monster charges in and attacks/dosen't leaveit does not provoke an attack. you should see thretened spaces in the back of the PHB (might have to look at v3.5). Attack of oppunerty can be dangerous It killed my 9th lv PC :OMG!
Snicker-Snack 12-26-04, 05:43 PM	AoO's are quite badly explained in the 3.0 PHB IIRC. Basicaly, it allows you to make a single attack against any enemy that lets his guard down in your threatened area. There are many actions that provoke AoO's, such as drinking a potion or firing a ranged weapon. Leaving a threatened square also provokes AoO's. It's kind of complicated to explain any better than this, perhaps if you tell us exactly what is your doubt (perhaps what's the situation that was confusing you) we may help you more :).
Zetakya 12-26-04, 05:59 PM	You don't get AoOs for entering a threatened area. You do get them for moving within a threatened area, or moving out of a threatened area, unless you are using a 5 foot step or a total withdraw action. You also get them for doing anything that is listed on the table in the combat section as provoking an attack of opportunity. It's rather a large table, so I'm just going to link to the version of it in the SRD: Clicky (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/actionsInCombat.html). Note that many of the actions provoke AoOs normally but there are feats that mean that you don't. In most cases a player with one of these should know about those specific cases. Most of them are sumarised on the page linked.
Mellanos 12-26-04, 07:10 PM	So which specific actions count as moving within a threatened area ? And if you leave combat with one enemy.... does that provoke an AoO? Is that a total withdraw action ? I'm not really sure what that means.
Mellanos 12-26-04, 11:14 PM	Back to the top
Nom 12-27-04, 10:21 AM	Some actions distract you from melee combat long enough that you might be a bit slow to dodge or block. The AoO mechanic models this by giving your opponent a free attack. The table of actions in combat (8-2 on PH 3.5, pg 141; find the equivalent in your 3.0 PH) has a column that lists whether the action potentially provokes an attack of opportunity. In order for the action to actually provoke an attack of opportunity, you need to be threatened by an opponent. An opponent threatens you if they could make a melee attack against you at this exact moment with whatever weapon they are currently wielding. If they threaten you when you provoke the AoO, they can choose to take an AoO against you. Several things can prevent the opponent making an AoO. If the opponent is not wielding a melee weapon capable of dealing lethal damage, they do not threaten and thus cannot make an AoO. An unarmed opponent, an opponent wielding a bow, or an opponent wielding a whip, and an opponent wielding a reach weapon whom you are close to do not threaten, since they could not at this moment make a melee attack dealing lethal damage with their current weapon. A flat footed opponent does not threaten. Other circumstances may also prevent an opponent threatening, and thus prevent them from making an AoO. You always provoke the AoO in the square you currently occupy. If you later move into range it is too late - the AoO was provoked elsewhere and nobody could take it. There are special rules for movement and AoOs. Despite what table 8-2 (or the 3.0 equivalent) may lead you to believe, movement doesn't automatically provoke an AoO. Instead, the general rule is that if you leave a threatened square, you provoke an AoO. 3.0 uses confusing words, but the rules have the same effect. The AoO is provoked in the square that you are about to leave. * Example 1: Goblin runs up to fighter. No AoO is provoked. The goblin entered a threatened square, but did not leave it. * Example 2: Goblin runs up to fighter, but in doing so runs past an invisible rogue. The rogue's hands are empty. No AoO is provoked, because a rogue doesn't threaten without a melee weapon. If the rogue had a weapon ready, she could have made an AoO. * Example 3: Goblin runs up to fighter, but in doing so runs past an invisible monk. The monk's hands are empty. Ain't Improved Unarmed Strike wonderful. Unlike a rogue, an empty-handed monk can make a lethal melee attack. Each time the goblin leaves a square adjacent to the monk, the monk has the option of making an AoO. * Example 4: Goblin is next to fighter, and runs away. An AoO is provoked when the goblin leaves a square next to the fighter. * Example 5: Goblin begins next to fighter, and runs around behind him. An AoO is provoked every time the goblin leaves a square in which the fighter could have attacked him. * Example 5: Goblin runs up to ogre (10 ft. reach). The goblin provokes an AoO when it leaves the 10 ft. reach square and closes to 5 ft. (adjacent). The attack is resolved before the goblin actually leaves the square. * Example 6: Goblin runs up to fighter with longspear (reach weapon). Like the ogre, the goblin provokes as it leaves the 'reach donut'. Unlike the ogre, the fighter doesn't threaten at 5 ft., so the goblin can run circles around the fighter with impunity. If the goblin tries to run away and thus runs through the 'reach donut', another AoO is provoked. Special movement rules and AoO. Alas, nothing is that simple. There are a few other special rules with respect to AoOs and movement. (1) Any given opponent may only make one movement related AoO against you in a turn, even if they have a special ability (typically Combat Reflexes) that allows them to make multiple AoOs per turn. Once an opponent makes a movement-based AoO against you, they cannot make another in that turn, no matter how many of their threatened squares you leave. You may provoke multiple times, but once a given opponent swings you won't provoke that opponent again. Be careful. This won't help you if you run past 20 goblins - each will get an AoO. It also applies only to movement. If you drink a potion and then run, the opponent can take one AoO for the drinking and one for the move, if they can make two or more AoOs. (2) Certain conditions prevent movement from provoking AoOs. The "5 ft. step" never provokes an AoO. Note that the "5 ft. step" is a special type of movement that is incompatible with any other movement in the turn. If you do not otherwise move (ie change square) and are not on "difficult terrain", you may take a single 5 ft. step for free in addition to your actions. "Moving 5 ft." (as a move-equivalent action) is not the same as a 5 ft. step. Tumble allows a character to trade speed for immunity to AoOs. Likewise Spring Attack prevents AoOs under certain conditions. In 3.5 there is a special full round movement action called "Withdraw". This is identical to a double-move, except that the leaving the starting square does not provoke an AoO. A goblin that Withdraws from a fighter will not provoke an AoO because it's starting square is the only threatened square it leaves. In contrast, an ogre cannot take an AoO in the first square, but will have the option to take one as the goblin leaves the 10 ft. range square. Only the first square is protected. In 3.0, the same rule applies, but differently. In 3.0, if you only move and don't perform any other standard or move-equivalent actions, then you don't provoke an AoO in the starting square. This was too confusing, so the Withdraw action was created. The two are functionally identical.
FitzNighteyes 12-27-04, 01:08 PM	So which specific actions count as moving within a threatened area ? And if you leave combat with one enemy.... does that provoke an AoO? Is that a total withdraw action ? I'm not really sure what that means."Within a threatened area" was the 3e for leaving a threatened square to move into another threatened square for that creature. It applies if you move sideways through the reach of a creature with 5ft reach (ie move around with him adjecent at all times), of move from 10ft to 5ft for a creature with full reach. In other words, within the threatened area. Moving into the threatened area is not moving within, it is moving into.