He can't cast the spell because he doesn't have a required component. I'd probably rule that his action fails and the spell is gone (since you interrupted him in the middle of it.)
Of course, this requires that (a) he doesn't take a 5' step out of range of your AoO or reading action, (b) that the spell required is one that has a material component or divine focus, and (c) that you think this is preferable to just hitting him for lots of damage and forcing a really nasty concentration check nobody is likely to pass.
if you dont wanna hurt him, turn the flat of your blade...
as far as RAW about disarming components...
AoO happens before triggering action... (or at start)... i could see where he could just grab another (assuming you didn't swipe/drop the pouch...)... and i can see the failed cast, Or he could change spells I could see, since the casting, not necc of that spell triggered the AoO... interesting thoughts...
readied i think would have similar issues, but can be more versatile... but moves your init...
It depends on the casting time of the spell and when do you disarm/steal the material component.
Casting time 1 round or longer
-> spell is lost if you steal the material component after the caster starts to cast (not as an AoO or readied action)
-> spell is not lost if you steal the material component during the start of the casting via AoO or readied action
Casting time Fullround action or shorter
-> spell is not lost
By the way .. in some cases you use the Steal Combat Maneuver for an action like this because material components/focus are not held in the hand (holy symbols are weared like an amulet etc.)
True, situationally stealing may be better.
The only kind you couldn't really do this to would be a quickened spell.
it may be, ask your DM. a calm collected argument, and he might go for it, ya never know. i dont think RAW specify either way.
you could just try to sunder the wizard/etc spell pouch. XD wont work on sorc, or far into the campaign as they might start taking Eschew, etc...
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You assume that with an AoO the action of casting a spell hasn't started yet:
a) This isn't written down in the rules in a proper way if you think otherwise please refer to the rules that apply.
b) This does not compare with making an AoO triggered by the casting of spell where you just deal damage (regular AoO) -> the spellcaster does lose the spell which contradicts your perception of the timing in your example
I assume most spellcasters are intelligent engough to cast defensively, meaning you will never receive an AoO.
In regards to using a readied action to target spell components.
Readying an Action: You can ready a standard action, a move action, a swift action, or a free action. To do so, specify the action you will take and the conditions under which you will take it. Then, anytime before your next action, you may take the readied action in response to that condition. The action occurs just before the action that triggers it. If the triggered action is part of another character's activities, you interrupt the other character. Assuming he is still capable of doing so, he continues his actions once you complete your readied action. Your initiative result changes. For the rest of the encounter, your initiative result is the count on which you took the readied action, and you act immediately ahead of the character whose action triggered your readied action.
Emphasis mine. The caster keeps the spell.
If you want to force a concentration on the caster, there are specific rules for that:
You can ready an attack against a spellcaster with the trigger “if she starts casting a spell.” If you damage the spellcaster, she may lose the spell she was trying to cast (as determined by her Spellcraft check result).
You follow those rules.
Arthanos, casting defensively is MUCH harder now. 1st level maybe a +4 or +5 for DC 15+spell level?
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Readying an Action: You can ready a standard action, a move action, a swift action, or a free action. To do so, specify the action you will take and the conditions under which you will take it. Then, anytime before your next action, you may take the readied action in response to that condition. The action occurs just before the action that triggers it. If the triggered action is part of another character's activities, you interrupt the other character. Assuming he is still capable of doing so, he continues his actions once you complete your readied action. Your initiative result changes. For the rest of the encounter, your initiative result is the count on which you took the readied action, and you act immediately ahead of the character whose action triggered your readied action.Emphasis mine. The caster keeps the spell.
I don't read here that he gets to keep the spell, that's what you make of it.
It also contradicts with the quote you pose below: “if she starts casting a spell.” is the exact same trigger as above.
If you want to force a concentration on the caster, there are specific rules for that:You can ready an attack against a spellcaster with the trigger “if she starts casting a spell.” If you damage the spellcaster, she may lose the spell she was trying to cast (as determined by her Spellcraft check result).You follow those rules.
I don't want to force concentration on the caster -> I want to disarm his Holy Symbol when he starts casting a spell... The end result can either be:
It's about announcing and resolving actions, the line “if she starts casting a spell.” implies that casting has begun but not...
2A) He loses his spell (same as described in the concentration section of the PRD)or
2B) He doesn't lose the spell because he isn't able to "start" casting it at all because the necessary component is gone
To blunt: A readied action occurs before the triggering action. If you want to disarm the spell component you may do so, but the spell is not lost because the caster never started casting. This sequence of events is defined within the first paragraph I quoted and emphasized. You do not have the freedom to alter that sequence under RAW.
If you want to disrupt the spell, the mechanism is explicitly defined. You use that mechanism, you don't create your own.
Now, what happens if the Cleric has 2 holy symbols? Can he just shrug and keep casting?
Now, what happens if the Cleric has 2 holy symbols? Can he just shrug and keep casting?
Assuming the second one is handy, sure. If he has to pull it out of a backpack, it takes a move action that provokes.
I would argue that if the second holy symbol is immediately usable, it would also be apparent to the enemy:
"I want to disarm his holy symbol."
"OK, but you can see another one around his neck."
"Crap. I guess this will take a couple of attacks, then..."
I am now imagining a "Mr. T" of Clerics with multiple holy symbols of every religion known around his neck. Wich one to snatch ?
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Create Reliquary arms and shields.
You would have to disarm my weapon, my shield and my regular holy symbol.
I won't even take the feat myself, just purchase my magic weapons and armor through my temple.
I see little reason why a cleric would not do this just as a matter of efficiency. If not, he would be unable to hold a weapon and shield while casting.