Building a high DEX character who uses a whip to trip and disarm foes.
I have heard it said that some combat maneuvers replace attacks. Can I take this to mean:
Can I apply weapon finesse to my trip and disarm maneuvers with a whip?
When an opponent provokes an attack of opportunity, can I trip or disarm them in place of a normal AoO.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
As Trip and Disarm are maneuvers that are performed using your weapon, Weapon Finesse would apply to maneuvers made with your whip.
Remember, that to start, you do not threaten adjacent squares with a whip. (There is a feat in the Whip Mastery line that allows you to threaten, though.) When you do threaten, yes.
Yes on both fronts. CMB uses any current bonuses (including from Weapon Finesse), and any attack (including an AoO) can be switched for a disarm, trip, or sunder. I should mention, however, that a Whip does not naturally threaten any area, thus making it difficult to take Attacks of Opportunity. You can solve that issue with the "Whip Mastery" line of feats, however.
EDIT: Wow, Ninja'ed by Harley Quinn. In the same order, no less.