Combat Reflexes and using it while flat-footed

[Rapanuii]

"With this feat, you may also make attacks of opportunity while flat-footed." -The end of the Combat Reflexes description.

I have always wondered if this is completely conditional on being aware of the target provoking or not. An example is if I had an archer with the proper feats to expand their threatened range out to 15 feat (snap shot line), then could I opt to make the DM let me know when anything within my threatened area provoked an AoO?

So pretty much, could this be in some way an ultimate Spidey sense, where I can be in complete darkness, or blind & deaf, and my bubble of 15 feet of threatened area will always alert me of the option to use or opt out of taking an AoO?

[wraithstrike]

You still have to be aware of the target. The feat only changes the aspect of being flat-footed. Not being aware of the target is another issue.

When you are not aware of the target because they are invisible as an example you are not flat-footed against them you just lose dex against them.

Losing dex to AC and being flat-footed are not the exact same thing. Being flat-footed is a condition much like being dazed is a a condition. One of the penalties for being flat-footed is that you lose dex to AC.

[superdude097]

From the PRD (Under "Concealment"):

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/combat#TOC-Concealment wrote:

You can't execute an attack of opportunity against an opponent with total concealment, even if you know what square or squares the opponent occupies.

So in the scenario of being "in complete darkness, or blind & deaf" you would not be able to make any attacks of opportunity in the first place.

Personally, I'd rule that you can't attack something you don't know exists in the first place; and the ability to make AoO while flat-footed does not grant you knowledge you otherwise would not have.

[Rapanuii]

I tried to look at some of the stuff in the SRD like blinded condition, AoO's, and how threatened squares work in order to see if they mention any of this, but found nothing. Thank you for finding the information regarding concealment for me, and the knowledge assuring me I must have some awareness.

I've always conducted myself as having to have awareness of the target, but I have personally wondered for a long time about the extent of this feat. Thanks!