Cutpurse Stab and Grab AoO?

[Socinus]

Does the "Stab and Grab" ability of the Cutpurse Rogue Archetype trigger an attack of opportunity when it's used against an opponent?

Thank you.

[Tiny Coffee Golem]

I doubt it. You're stabbing the enemy at the same time.

[Socinus]

It doesn't strictly say it triggers an attack of opportunity in the description.

"At 3rd level, as a full-round action, a cutpurse can make an attack and also make a Sleight of Hand check to steal something from the target of the attack. If the attack deals sneak attack damage, the rogue can use Sleight of Hand to take an Item from the creature during combat; otherwise this ability can only be used in a surprise round before the target has acted. If the attack is successful, the target takes a –5 penalty on the Perception check to notice the theft."

However I'm playing with a GM who has stated that it does. I'm not terribly familiar with Pathfinder rules as of yet.

[Bobson]

Nothing provokes unless it says it does. This doesn't say that it does, so it doesn't. If using Slight of Hand provoked, you could argue for either way. But it doesn't say that using it provokes either. So you're attacking (which doesn't provoke) and stealing (which doesn't provoke) at the same time. Why would this provoke?

[Socinus]

After speaking with the GM, he is interpreting Stab and Grab as basically the Steal combat maneuver with the added benefit of being able to attack as well. Hence, an attack of opportunity without the right feat.

[Bobson]

That's a reasonable interpretation, provided he also uses the Steal maneuver mechanics.

Slight of Hand wrote:

If you try to take something from a creature, you must make a DC 20 Sleight of Hand check. The opponent makes a Perception check to detect the attempt, opposed by the Sleight of Hand check result you achieved when you tried to grab the item. An opponent who succeeds on this check notices the attempt, regardless of whether you got the item. You cannot use this skill to take an object from another creature during combat if the creature is aware of your presence.

Steal wrote:

This maneuver can be used in melee to take any item that is neither held nor hidden in a bag or pack. You must have at least one hand free (holding nothing) to attempt this maneuver. You must select the item to be taken before the check is made. Items that are simply tucked into a belt or loosely attached (such as brooches or necklaces) are the easiest to take. Items fastened to a foe (such as cloaks, sheathed weapons, or pouches) are more difficult to take, and give the opponent a +5 bonus (or greater) to his CMD. Items that are closely worn (such as armor, backpacks, boots, clothing, or rings) cannot be taken with this maneuver. Items held in the hands (such as wielded weapons or wands) also cannot be taken with the steal maneuver

One is a Slight of Hand check to steal a small object, with a flat DC, with a perception check to be noticed. The Measure the Mark ability of the Cutpurse helps here. This does not provoke.

The other is a combat maneuver check (and thus against CMD) to steal anything that's not closely worn or wielded, and automatically alerts the target that you took something. This provokes.

As I said above, turning Stab and Grab into a Steal combat maneuver performed at the same time as an attack is entirely reasonable and fits the theme. But GMs can't* combine the worse aspects of each just because they feel that it's too powerful. He would need to make the Measure the Mark ability work with the new version of Stab and Grab as well. I think it's not a good idea to do so, but I think it's within the realm of reasonable house rules.

* And by "can't", I mean "Doing this is in the same category of house rules as arbitrarily deciding that every opponent has a magical tattoo on them which makes them immune to sneak attack. No you can't get tattooed yourself."