Does combat Aid Another constitute physical contract?


Rules Questions


PRD wrote:

Aid Another

In melee combat, you can help a friend attack or defend by distracting or interfering with an opponent. If you're in position to make a melee attack on an opponent that is engaging a friend in melee combat, you can attempt to aid your friend as a standard action. You make an attack roll against AC 10. If you succeed, your friend gains either a +2 bonus on his next attack roll against that opponent or a +2 bonus to AC against that opponent's next attack (your choice), as long as that attack comes before the beginning of your next turn. Multiple characters can aid the same friend, and similar bonuses stack.

Does a successful Aid Another in combat mandate that physical contact has occurred, or is it just a series of distractions, feints?

Grand Lodge

I can't see any reason it would be required. Although you need to be in a position to make a melee attack against the opponent the description does not indicate that contact needs to actually happen.


Short Answer - No.

Long Answer - You are simply distracting the opponent. The 10 AC simply ensures you are able to not trip over your own weapon as you try to bother the bad guy. You are not assumed to touch the opponent, so you cannot deliver touch spells or suffer from any contact poisons the enemy has active. AC 10 is also the target for other simple tasks, like throwing an alchemist bomb at a specific square rather than a specific target.


Can more than one person aid the same person? I've seen a summoner use a bazillion crappy critters to aid and flank the Big Hitter, who then all but guarentees a hit.


geekgumbo wrote:
Can more than one person aid the same person? I've seen a summoner use a bazillion crappy critters to aid and flank the Big Hitter, who then all but guarentees a hit.

There's no set limit on how many Aid Anothers can stack in combat. The limit would be set by how many can initiate a melee attack. However, the summoner would need to be able to communicate with the critters to do an Aid Another.


Thanks for the post.

MurphysParadox wrote:
AC 10 is also the target for other simple tasks, like throwing an alchemist bomb at a specific square rather than a specific target.

Targeting a square is AC 5, not AC 10. Or rather it's AC10. and -5 Dex for the target being immobile.


Also, the CRB gives GM discretion on how many characters can meaningfully contribute to an Aid Another action. For this kind of action, there's little reason not to allow as many as can fit into melee. (Suddenly, a horde of goblins + one poisoned weapon can be a noticeable threat at higher levels.)

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