AOO and Combat Maneuvers

[gnrrrg]

An attack of opportunity is specified as a melee action. Some combat maneuvers (e.g. trip or disarm) specify that they replace melee actions. How is this interpreted?

1 - It replaces a melee action therefor it can be done in any case where a melee action may be done therefor it can be done as an AOO

or

2 - It replaces a melee action therefor it is not a melee action therefor it cannot be done as an AOO?

[Morgen]

You can choose to use a combat maneuver that replaces an normal melee attack as your attack of opportunity.

Of course without the proper feat you draw your own AOO which can lead to a kind of chaining, but it is fine by the rules of the game.

[Nefreet]

The only maneuvers that can be used in place of an attack of opportunity are Trip, Disarm, and Sunder, because they can be used "in place of an attack".

You cannot perform a Grapple, Reposition, Bullrush, or other maneuvers as attacks of opportunities because they take a standard action to perform (with few special exceptions, where listed).

[Cerberus Seven]

Nefreet, where is that detailed? Just so I know where in the CRB / SRD to show my players next time this comes up.

[chaoseffect]

Cerberus Seven wrote:

Nefreet, where is that detailed? Just so I know where in the CRB / SRD to show my players next time this comes up.

Look up the individual combat maneuvers in the Combat section. It says in each description what kind of action each is.

Also look here. Under the Performing a Combat Maneuver section the second sentence says:

"While many combat maneuvers can be performed as part of an attack action, full-attack action, or attack of opportunity (in place of a melee attack), others require a specific action"

It then goes on to say under Trip, Disarm, and Sunder that they can be made in place of an attack.