Dimension Door and Combat

[DungeonmasterCal]

If a character transports using Dimension Door (via spell cast by a comrade or magic item)in order to attack someone from behind, is the target considered flanked? Also, can the character using Dimension Door attack the target after being transported?

[Michael Sayre]

"Dimension Door
School conjuration (teleportation); Level bard 4, sorcerer/wizard 4
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V
Range long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Target you and touched objects or other touched willing creatures
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw none and Will negates (object); Spell Resistance no and yes (object)
You instantly transfer yourself from your current location to any other spot within range. You always arrive at exactly the spot desired—whether by simply visualizing the area or by stating direction. After using this spell, you can't take any other actions until your next turn..."
So yeah, if someone else cast this spell and took you along to drop you in a flanking position, sure. But if you did it with an item, that would be the end of your turn, so you could DD to flank, but not to flank and attack.

[Randy Lockard]

YOU can't take any other actions after CASTING the DD. This of course includes attacks. Using an ITEM to do it allows for you to still have your actions. As there are no facings in Pathfinder, attcking someone from "behind" does nothing for you. (So no flank).

[Michael Sayre]

Randy Lockard wrote:

YOU can't take any other actions after CASTING the DD. This of course includes attacks. Using an ITEM to do it allows for you to still have your actions. As there are no facings in Pathfinder, attcking someone from "behind" does nothing for you. (So no flank).

Sorry, assumed some basic premises that I probably shouldn't have, i.e. that the enemy he was DDing behind was in combat with someone else already. As to him still having an action after he DD's though-

From the PRD:
"To use a magic item, it must be activated, although sometimes activation simply means putting a ring on your finger. Some items, once donned, function constantly. In most cases, though, using an item requires a standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. By contrast, spell completion items are treated like spells in combat and do provoke attacks of opportunity."

He would have to spend a standard action to activate the item, and thus would still not be able to attack, unless the item stated otherwise. The only way his combo would work would be for him to have someone else cast DD and drop him in a flanking position against an enemy already in melee combat, or if he had a magic item that noted somewhere in its description that it was either a swift or free action to activate.

[deuxhero]

If you DD into flanking position, the target is considered flanked.

Three things to remember about DD's no actions clause

1: AoO aren't actions
2: It only applies to the caster, anyone he teleports with him can move freely when their turn comes (They could potentially even ready and action to attack when ported)
3: Magus spell combat with DD is a single ongoing action and you only lose your swift if you haven't taken it. (This may or may not be intended, but given the Magus has 2nd and 3rd level spells that effectively result in move+full attack, it's hardly broken)

[DungeonmasterCal]

Thanks, everyone!

[LazarX]

There's a reason for the Dimension Agility feat tree.