Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Jayden 10-19-05, 09:39 PM	Defensive Casting vs Casting. If an opponent has a mage within the threat range of a mage, then why would the mage EVER choose not to cast defensively? It seems to me that there are two entries in the Players Handbook that are not required. The entry for spellcasting requiring an attack of oppertunity, and the entry for defensive casting. Instead why did they not just place one entry saying, "Whenever a caster is within the threat range of an opponent, they must pass a Concentration check against (DC = to Defensive Casting) or else the spell fizzles." Is there some rule that I cannot find quite yet that has some bearing regarding defensive casting?
cwslyclgh 10-19-05, 09:47 PM	because sometimes it is more advantageos to take the attack of opportunity then it is to try the concentration check... and because there are time when there is no reason to cast defesivly even if you are adjacent to an opponent (if he has already performed a AoO in the round for example).
Jayden 10-19-05, 09:58 PM	Thank you for pointing that out. It was something I'd forgotten to bring up in the original post. If a Fighter used his Attack of Oppertunity already, how is the mage supposed to know that the Fighter has used it? How does a mage know that they don't have an extra attack of oppertunity (Via the feat that allows Attacks of Oppertunity equal to the Dex modifier). To me, that seems like the mage is rules-lawyering, and the player is using the mechanics of the rules to his advantage even when they shouldn't be applicable. If the person who they are being threatened by can't do too much damage, and it is better for the mage to take the attack, how does the mage know it is better? Again, using knowledge that the character may not have, but the player does.
cwslyclgh 10-19-05, 10:34 PM	for example... I am a mighty wizard, a guy has been standing next to me trying to hit me with his dagger for several "rounds" unsuccessfully... if he has shown an inability to do much to me thus far, then I am not going to worry about taking special precautions against his attack when i am casting my next spell.
Nom 10-19-05, 10:50 PM	If a Fighter used his Attack of Oppertunity already, how is the mage supposed to know that the Fighter has used it? How does a mage know that they don't have an extra attack of oppertunity (Via the feat that allows Attacks of Oppertunity equal to the Dex modifier). To me, that seems like the mage is rules-lawyering, and the player is using the mechanics of the rules to his advantage even when they shouldn't be applicable.You mean meta-gaming, not rules-lawyering. In general, one should assume that any tactical game mechanic that is visible to a player is visible to the characters, though often in a completely different way. Consider Spellcraft. The player says "I cast a spell". The character uses a series of gestures and words. Another character sees these gestures and knows that the first character is casting a spell, even though the character obviously didn't hear the player say "I cast a spell". In the same way, characters "know" that most opponents can only exploit one opening at a time. So if a given opponent has already exploited an opening (taken an AoO), he can't take another. AoO management is a legitimate part of many encounters; I've seen characters deliberately delay so that a more robust character can move in (wearing the AoO) and thus allow a weaker character to operate unhindered. As for Combat Reflexes, that's a gamble you'll have to take.
Jayden 10-19-05, 11:07 PM	Okay, those are both excellent answers to my question. Thank you for your assistance.