Casting Defensively and Ranged Touch Attack [Archive] - Wizards Community

Casting Defensively and Ranged Touch Attack [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ForcedEvolution
09-02-05, 08:06 PM I brought this up under combat and equipment thread, but it could probably go here too.

Okay... warlock is casting eldritch blast... defensively (he's in melee)... he passes to the creature gets no AoO against him casting...

But he then makes a ranged touch attack... does the creature get to use his (untaken AoO) vs. the ranged touch attack... he doesn't have hideous blow...

Now on the otherside (the way I thought he understood it). Because he passed his defensive casting check the creature couldn't make an AoO against the Ranged Touch Attack because the RTA is "part of the spell casting"

It makes sense, but i always thought that a "Ranged" Touch Attack was treated as a ranged attack only vs. touch AC.
Someone
09-03-05, 12:07 AM You are correct, the RTA is part of the ability the caster used defensively. A wizard doesn't have to make two checks when they cast a ray spell, the ranged touch is just "how it gets there".

Simply put, there is a double jeapardy clause for AoOs: a particular action cannot draw more than 1 AoO.
ForcedEvolution
09-03-05, 02:08 AM Casting a spell provokes an AoO... unless he casts defensively.

A ranged touch attack provokes an AoO because it is a ranged attack.

If the caster negates the AoO vs the spell. The creature still has it's 1 AoO against him. He makes a ranged attack (ranged touch attack) the creature should still take is AoO vs the attack.

Now if he used a melee touch attack (Like shocking grasp) then he wouldn't suffer the second option of AoO.

In any case... if he did not cast defensively and did a melee touch attack then he only chanced one AoO.
StormCrow42
09-03-05, 08:58 AM I can't believe how often people get this wrong.

Touch Attacks: Touching an opponent with a touch spell is considered to be an armed attack and therefore does not provoke attacks of opportunity. However, the act of casting a spell does provoke an attack of opportunity. Touch attacks come in two types: melee touch attacks and ranged touch attacks. You can score critical hits with either type of attack. Your opponent’s AC against a touch attack does not include any armor bonus, shield bonus, or natural armor bonus. His size modifier, Dexterity modifier, and deflection bonus (if any) all apply normally.
Ranged touch spells DON'T provoke attacks of opportunity for the attack roll, only for the casting which may be done defensively to avoid it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ForcedEvolution 09-02-05, 08:06 PM	I brought this up under combat and equipment thread, but it could probably go here too. Okay... warlock is casting eldritch blast... defensively (he's in melee)... he passes to the creature gets no AoO against him casting... But he then makes a ranged touch attack... does the creature get to use his (untaken AoO) vs. the ranged touch attack... he doesn't have hideous blow... Now on the otherside (the way I thought he understood it). Because he passed his defensive casting check the creature couldn't make an AoO against the Ranged Touch Attack because the RTA is "part of the spell casting" It makes sense, but i always thought that a "Ranged" Touch Attack was treated as a ranged attack only vs. touch AC.
Someone 09-03-05, 12:07 AM	You are correct, the RTA is part of the ability the caster used defensively. A wizard doesn't have to make two checks when they cast a ray spell, the ranged touch is just "how it gets there". Simply put, there is a double jeapardy clause for AoOs: a particular action cannot draw more than 1 AoO.
ForcedEvolution 09-03-05, 02:08 AM	Casting a spell provokes an AoO... unless he casts defensively. A ranged touch attack provokes an AoO because it is a ranged attack. If the caster negates the AoO vs the spell. The creature still has it's 1 AoO against him. He makes a ranged attack (ranged touch attack) the creature should still take is AoO vs the attack. Now if he used a melee touch attack (Like shocking grasp) then he wouldn't suffer the second option of AoO. In any case... if he did not cast defensively and did a melee touch attack then he only chanced one AoO.
StormCrow42 09-03-05, 08:58 AM	I can't believe how often people get this wrong. Touch Attacks: Touching an opponent with a touch spell is considered to be an armed attack and therefore does not provoke attacks of opportunity. However, the act of casting a spell does provoke an attack of opportunity. Touch attacks come in two types: melee touch attacks and ranged touch attacks. You can score critical hits with either type of attack. Your opponent’s AC against a touch attack does not include any armor bonus, shield bonus, or natural armor bonus. His size modifier, Dexterity modifier, and deflection bonus (if any) all apply normally. Ranged touch spells DON'T provoke attacks of opportunity for the attack roll, only for the casting which may be done defensively to avoid it.