Confused With AoOs and Tripping/Imrpoved Trip [Archive] - Wizards Community

Confused With AoOs and Tripping/Imrpoved Trip [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
FruitOfTheShroom
11-07-04, 11:02 AM Can a character trip another with an AoO?

If you can, what are the rules for it? Do they lose their action (They bein the attcked)?

I ask, because I commonly see people arguing tht the Spiked Chain is a very broken weapon, due to it's reach, tripping ability, ability to be finessed, and synergy with Combat Reflexes. This would imply that one can trip as an AoO, but I have not seen anything in the PHB or anything showing rules for this.

So, can a character trip another with an AoO?
billboyjones
11-07-04, 11:15 AM Yes they can.

Check out the table on page 141 of the PHB 3.5, specifically the Action Type Varies portion of it. You'll see that Disarm, Grapple and Trip all have the 7 footnote. Reading that says that these actions can indeed be used as an AoO (among other things).
Ashenai
11-07-04, 11:26 AM Can a character trip another with an AoO?

Yes, definitely.

If you can, what are the rules for it? Do they lose their action (They bein the attcked)?

Well, that depends. If they were moving at the time, then that's the end of their move right there. However, if they still have an action left in the round, they don't lose that, and can use it to stand up, or to attack from prone, or cast a spell, or whatever.

If they were cating a spell, then I don't think it would be interrupted automatically. I'd have them make a DC 20 Concentration check to finish casting it.

If their action was a full-round action (like a charge), then yeah, they're out of luck.

I ask, because I commonly see people arguing tht the Spiked Chain is a very broken weapon, due to it's reach, tripping ability, ability to be finessed, and synergy with Combat Reflexes. This would imply that one can trip as an AoO, but I have not seen anything in the PHB or anything showing rules for this.

Well, billboyjones' reference is correct. You can indeed trip with an AoO. Whether this makes the Spiked Chain broken is open to debate; it costs a bunch of feats to be used effectively. It's a lot more powerful than other exotic weapons, to be sure, but that's because the other exotic weapons are useless. None of them are worth the feat.

I personally think the Greatsword and the Spiked Chain are the two best two-handed weapons, but I don't think either of them is broken. Their power level is roughly equal.
FruitOfTheShroom
11-07-04, 02:44 PM Thank you guys quite a bit for your help.

As for power level, I do think that a spiked chain monkey isn't so much broken as annoying, and actually makes EWP and several fighter levels actually worthwhile.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
FruitOfTheShroom 11-07-04, 11:02 AM	Can a character trip another with an AoO? If you can, what are the rules for it? Do they lose their action (They bein the attcked)? I ask, because I commonly see people arguing tht the Spiked Chain is a very broken weapon, due to it's reach, tripping ability, ability to be finessed, and synergy with Combat Reflexes. This would imply that one can trip as an AoO, but I have not seen anything in the PHB or anything showing rules for this. So, can a character trip another with an AoO?
billboyjones 11-07-04, 11:15 AM	Yes they can. Check out the table on page 141 of the PHB 3.5, specifically the Action Type Varies portion of it. You'll see that Disarm, Grapple and Trip all have the 7 footnote. Reading that says that these actions can indeed be used as an AoO (among other things).
Ashenai 11-07-04, 11:26 AM	Can a character trip another with an AoO? Yes, definitely. If you can, what are the rules for it? Do they lose their action (They bein the attcked)? Well, that depends. If they were moving at the time, then that's the end of their move right there. However, if they still have an action left in the round, they don't lose that, and can use it to stand up, or to attack from prone, or cast a spell, or whatever. If they were cating a spell, then I don't think it would be interrupted automatically. I'd have them make a DC 20 Concentration check to finish casting it. If their action was a full-round action (like a charge), then yeah, they're out of luck. I ask, because I commonly see people arguing tht the Spiked Chain is a very broken weapon, due to it's reach, tripping ability, ability to be finessed, and synergy with Combat Reflexes. This would imply that one can trip as an AoO, but I have not seen anything in the PHB or anything showing rules for this. Well, billboyjones' reference is correct. You can indeed trip with an AoO. Whether this makes the Spiked Chain broken is open to debate; it costs a bunch of feats to be used effectively. It's a lot more powerful than other exotic weapons, to be sure, but that's because the other exotic weapons are useless. None of them are worth the feat. I personally think the Greatsword and the Spiked Chain are the two best two-handed weapons, but I don't think either of them is broken. Their power level is roughly equal.
FruitOfTheShroom 11-07-04, 02:44 PM	Thank you guys quite a bit for your help. As for power level, I do think that a spiked chain monkey isn't so much broken as annoying, and actually makes EWP and several fighter levels actually worthwhile.