"Move" action starting in a threatened square provokes an AoO twice?


Rules Questions


In the table "Actions In Combat" in the CRB it lists "Move" as a possible "Move Action". Much to my surprise, the right column says it provokes an AoO: "This column indicates whether the action itself, not moving, provokes an attack of opportunity".

So in addition the the normal AoO provoked by moving out of a threatened square, it seems you also provoke an AoO by the "Move" action itself!

This is a bit confusing, because earlier in the rules it is stated that "Moving out of more than one square threatened by the same opponent in the same round doesn't count as more than one opportunity for that opponent.", implying that you can provoke only one AoO from movement from a single opponent. However that only deals with AoOs from actual movement, not from actions that provoke AoOs which apparently "Move" is one of.

In particular, suppose I was to take a "Move" "Move Action" in a threatened square and not move at all (for whatever reason), do I provoke an AoO? If I was then to move out of that square, within the same "Move" action, do I provoke another AoO?

I simply can't explain why "Move" is listed as provoking an AoO. Is this intended? It seems strange that trying to move away (not withdrawing) from a threatened square provokes twice.


Negative. If you are moving through a threatened square and Only moving, you only provoke one attack of opportunity. Unless they have some feat that allows them to do otherwise(not sure one exists?). The "Move" ability is "Moving" or a "Move Actoin".

"Moving out of more than one square threatened by the same opponent in the same round doesn't count as more than one opportunity for that opponent.", implying that you can provoke only one AoO from movement from a single opponent. " - Correct.

If the creature happened to have Combat Reflexes or something of that effect, then it could make more than one AoO on you. If you say for instance, Picked up an Item in it's threatened area, I believe an AoO from your opponent is in order. However, if you moved after you picked up your item, then another AoO would be in order because you moved through his threatened square. I'm not sure how you would take two move actions - Unless you sacrificed a Standard Action for it...

Keep in mind there are various "Move Actions" that can draw an AoO from your opponent.

Tumbling is also a great way to get out of a threatened area without getting an attack of opportunity on you. Assuming you pass the DC of course. (acrobatics rank 3+ allows the use of tumble)

Someone correct me if I'm wrong please.


The table is misleading in this case (or maybe outright wrong).

The move action "Move" does not automatically provoke an attack of opportunity just because you declare a "move". But, you do provoke when you leave a threatened square and only provokes once per move rather than once per square (per creature that threatens).

Contrast this with the Withdraw action. It also provokes in the exact same way except that the first square is not considered threatened. And yet, it's listed as not provoking an attack of opportunity.

- Gauss


This column in the table really means "No - this action does not provoke" or "Yes - this action might provoke according to the rules of AoOs."

If you read it that way, which you must, then it always makes sense. The alternative, reading it "Yes - this action always provokes no matter what the rules tell you." will not get you anywhere meaningfully.


DM_Blake, while I agree with your interpretation the provoke statement regarding "Move" and "Withdraw" are at odds with each other. They both provoke according to the rules of AoO's but one says yes and the other says no.

- Gauss


Thanks for the clarification guys. Indeed, I looked at Withdraw as an example of an action that also provoked (through movement). Hence my confusion. Looks like the table is wrong.

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