Post/Author/DateTime	Post
moscatabaco76 09-19-07, 12:28 PM	4th edition is around the corner and I haven't mastered 3.5 yet??? Whame on me... anyway, the question is this: a caster is being threatened in melee. He succesfully casts defensively a ray spell (searing light). Does this still provoke an attack of opportunity (since he's making a ranged attack while being threatened)?
Radijs 09-19-07, 12:39 PM	I think so yes.
Biolyticclod 09-19-07, 01:18 PM	The caster could cast the spell and in doing so opens himself up to an AoO from the attacker... unless he has precise shot? Which would allow him to make a ranged attack into melee without threatening an AoO?... I could be wrong what without a book to look at from work... Also if the target is in range to attack the caster, casting a spell opens the caster to an AoO from the target... There may be some damage taken and thus a concentratioon check in order to even cast the spell
wizardguy2003 09-19-07, 01:24 PM	He said he casts the spell defensively, so that in itself should avoid the AoO.
Biolyticclod 09-19-07, 01:26 PM	Too true...
Radijs 09-19-07, 01:51 PM	Wizard threatened by melee dude casts defensively and makes a concentration check avoiding the AOO. Next he makes a ranged attack with that spell provoking ant AOO.
mvincent 09-19-07, 01:57 PM	Wizard threatened by melee dude casts defensively and makes a concentration check avoiding the AOO. Next he makes a ranged attack with that spell provoking ant AOO.The issue has actually been conclusively discussed several times before (here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=10712805), here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=10591688), here (http://boards1.wizards.com/wotc_archive/index.php/t-495325) and here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=734655)). The ranged attack from casting a spell is not an action unto itself, but is merely a part of the spell's mechanic. It is the spell (not the ranged attack) that provokes in this case. Casting defensively will eliminate any AoO provoked by casting the spell, even if it is a ranged spell. Here are a few lightlights from previous discussions: The action listed on the Standard Actions Table (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/actionsInCombat.htm) labeled "Attack (ranged)" does provoke, but that is a separate action than "Cast a spell" listed below it. "Attack (ranged)" is also listed as being with a weapon in its text description. The 3.5 FAQ corroborates the fact that casting a RTA spell is not considered an attack action, here: "Shot on the Run feat could allow you to make any kind of ranged attack while moving, but it doesn’t. When using Shot on the Run, you must use the attack action with a ranged weapon (see the feat description on page 100 in the Player’s Handbook). This rules out using spells, most magic items, or special standard actions such as the Manyshot feat when making a Shot on the Run. That’s because casting a spell would require the cast a spell action (described on page 140 of the Player’s Handbook)," And also here: "The caster uses the cast a spell action (a standard action), and makes all the ranged touch attacks the spell allows as part of that standard action (not as part of the attack or full attack action); making these attacks is not an action at all." Also, WotC customer service has said that a ranged touch attack as part of a spell doesn't provoke.
wizardguy2003 09-19-07, 02:05 PM	Plus, instead of casting defensively, they could just take take that 5-foot step and avoid them as well.
moscatabaco76 09-19-07, 02:37 PM	Plus, instead of casting defensively, they could just take take that 5-foot step and avoid them as well. Sometimes it might not be cossible or convenient for the caster. Thanx anyway for helping clearing this up! Hopefully I will master 3.5 one or two days before 4.0 comes up an all my D&D knowledge becomes obsolete again :P
Radijs 09-19-07, 02:56 PM	You don't HAVE to switch to 4.0. The smart money says that there will be a whole load of people who will stick with 3.5 for a long time after 4.0 comes out.