I have a few questions concerning the Bull Rush mechanic, and can't seem to find a specific answer either in the rules or here.
The questions are from the perspective of a S&B fighter that mainly bull rushes using Shield Slam, Improved Bull Rush and Greater Bull Rush.
First of all, will a succesfull Bull Rush automatically interupt a spell as it is being cast, or does it follows the normal mechanics of being hit while casting?
What about a Bull Rush that is used as an AoO against a target moving trough a threatened square? If succesful, will it stop the movement, or simply add a few squares to the needed move for the target to go from A to B? What if the target is Bull Rushed into a wall and knocked prone?
What would you rule about Bull Rushing a large target into a medium sized friendly target? Any effect at all? Friend gets squished?
Also, I realize this last question should be more into the advice section and note rules, but I supposed I might as well ask it here instead of creating a new post just for that: Our group consist me (the S&B fighter), a rogue, a neg. energy priest and an archer figther, all 7th level. The rogue generally tries to position himself opposite of me to flank our active target. Good positioning, but the way bull rush works, it seems it prevents me from using one of my main advantages in melee. In this case, would taking Greater Bull Rush (when we reach level 8) still be worth it?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
So the idea is use Shield Slam feat giving the bull rush as a free action off a shield bash, using the shield bash as the melee attack for the AoO - where normally you couldn't bull rush as an AoO as it's normally a standard action.
I don't find anywhere that it automatically disrupts the spell. I'd apply the rules for voilent motion:
Violent Motion: If you are on a galloping horse, taking a very rough ride in a wagon, on a small boat in rapids or in a storm, on deck in a storm-tossed ship, or being pitched roughly about in a similar fashion, you must make a concentration check (DC 15 + the level of the spell you're casting) or lose the spell. If the motion is extremely violent, such as that caused by an earthquake, the DC is equal to 20 + the level of the spell you're casting.
DMs call, but I'd say pushed back is analogous to being 'pitched roughly about' (DC15+spell level) and knocked prone as 'extremely violent' motion (DC20+spell level). Alternatively, consider that being pinned or grappled is DC10+CMB+spell level, which may turn out a higher CMB, and may make sense to apply as they are both arguably equivelently disruptive and that way the skill of the fighter comes into play, so would scale for level.
For large target into ally, I'd carefully consider the PC's stated action. If his stated intent is to push the target into his friend's arms, I'd let him end the push at the ally (as per he intentionaly fails his subsiquent check against a second target). If the PC just said 'bull rush' with no qualification, I'd make him make the subsiquent check against the ally as well, possibly pushing them both along.
If there is another creature in the way of your bull rush, you must immediately make a combat maneuver check to bull rush that creature. You take a –4 penalty on this check for each creature being pushed beyond the first. If you are successful, you can continue to push the creatures a distance equal to the lesser result. For example, if a fighter bull rushes a goblin for a total of 15 feet, but there is another goblin 5 feet behind the first, he must make another combat maneuver check against the second goblin after having pushed the first 5 feet. If his check reveals that he can push the second goblin a total of 20 feet, he can continue to push both goblins another 10 feet (since the first goblin will have moved a total of 15 feet).
So the idea is use Shield Slam feat giving the bull rush as a free action off a shield bash, using the shield bash as the melee attack for the AoO - where normally you couldn't bull rush as an AoO as it's normally a standard action.
Pretty much yes. Also, I had overlooked the can't bull rush as an AoO part. Which makes me wonder if I can even do it at all then.
In any case, thanks a bunch, it'll give us something to consider when the problem shows up.
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First of all, will a succesfull Bull Rush automatically interupt a spell as it is being cast, or does it follows the normal mechanics of being hit while casting?
Normal mechanics (i.e. the caster gets a Concentration check).
What about a Bull Rush that is used as an AoO against a target moving trough a threatened square?
As Asphesteros mentions, a normal Bull Rush is a standard action, not an attack action, so can't be used in an AoO. A Shield Slam's free Bull Rush (on a successful hit) would still trigger though (after all, it's a hefty Feat investment to get that Shield Slam, it should be good!).
If succesful, will it stop the movement, or simply add a few squares to the needed move for the target to go from A to B?
It generally wouldn't stop movement, but it theoretically could disrupt an enemy's charge.
What if the target is Bull Rushed into a wall and knocked prone?
Note that a normal Bull Rush can't so that, but a Shield Slam can. In that case the prone guy needs the usual Move action to stand, so yes, it would stop his movement dead.
What would you rule about Bull Rushing a large target into a medium sized friendly target? Any effect at all? Friend gets squished?
Rules are covered in the Bull Rush text, and noted above by Asphesteros.
The rogue generally tries to position himself opposite of me to flank our active target. Good positioning, but the way bull rush works, it seems it prevents me from using one of my main advantages in melee. In this case, would taking Greater Bull Rush (when we reach level 8) still be worth it?
As long as you're not planning on following up your Bull Rush you could always take a 5ft step to one side then Bull Rush the guy past your Rogue friend. Or your Rogue friend could always take a 5ft step to one side at the end of his turn, to present you with a clear Bull Rush path. Other than that, the Gang Up feat from the APG may be worth a look.