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I'm sorry if this is answered someplace else - I took a quick look, but I didn't see anything in particular. So, given that untyped bonuses can stack and that attack roll bonuses can apply to melee attack rolls as equally as combat maneuver attack rolls, aid another is a tantalizing option in a tense combat situation; everyone who can afford to can wade into the fray and aid another with a character doing a vital disarm check, for example. However, one aspect of this theoretical situation that has me a bit stumped is whether the target of their aid another efforts (or, indeed, other threatening enemies) would gain an attack of opportunity against allies who elect to aid another in this way.
The reasons I can see it drawing an AoO -- the table specifically says in the superscript link for aid another:
If you aid someone performing an action that would normally provoke an attack of opportunity, then the act of aiding another provokes an attack of opportunity as well.
As Combat Maneuvers certainly draw attacks of opportunity when performed by the untrained, this would seem to indicate that it would draw an attack of opportunity (unless the PC has the relevant "Improved" feat).
However, I can also see an alternate argument for how it *wouldn't* draw an AoO -- Aid Another indicates the following (emphasis mine):
In melee combat, you can help a friend attack or defend by distracting or interfering with an opponent. If you're in a position to make a melee attack on an opponent that is engaging a friend in melee combat, you can attempt to aid your friend as a standard action. You make an attack roll against AC 10. If you succeed, your friend gains either a +2 bonus on his next attack roll against that opponent or a +2 bonus to AC against that opponent's next attack (your choice), as long as that attack comes before the beginning of your next turn. Multiple characters can aid the same friend and similar bonuses stack.
You can also use this standard action to help a friend in other ways, such as when he is affected by a spell, or to assist with another character's skill check.
That would seem to imply that the roll you're making is a melee attack roll (though it only specifically calls for an attack roll). Unless you're unarmed and unskilled, a melee attack typically wouldn't draw an AoO, meaning you could assist your combat maneuvers expert at little (additional) risk to yourself, though at some opportunity cost.
The difference between these two possibilities seems like it could make quite a difference if a large number of allies relatively unskilled in combat maneuvers is able to assist you -- a group of 5 others could add up to a +10; of course, if they'll be risking AoOs, it's far less likely to be a palatable option. Any help would be much appreciated!
Normally with Aid Another you make a roll against DC10 using the same skill. It would seem like that would generate an AoO. Of course, your opponent can only make one AoO per round unless they have the Combat Reflexes feat and even then they are limited in the number they can make.
Speaker for the Dead eh? Should we just call you Wiggin? :D
- Gauss
Speaker for the Dead eh? Should we just call you Wiggin? :D - Gauss
<grin> It was the first alias I tried that wasn't already taken. I didn't think anyone would get the reference, but now they're coming out with a movie!
I have all the books plus the shadow books, I understood it long before the movie and hope they do a half-way decent job with it. :)
- Gauss
Not likely if past experience holds true <sigh>. Interesting that people are talking about boycotting the movie because of Card's personal views.
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While it's true that you generally have to use the same skill against DC 10 to get the bonus, given that untyped attack bonuses (say, from weapon focus) can carry over to your attack roll with a combat maneuver like disarm, is it possible that, by RAW, a normal 'attack' with a weapon against AC 10 (with the aid another action) is enough to provide the bonus to combat maneuvers?
(For example, consider you intended to use a weapon attack, but the situation changed; unless you lose the +2 bonus to attack when you elect to make an attack roll for a maneuver rather than a standar melee attack, your ally would have provided you with a bonus at no personal risk of an AoO)