Cleave and Trip (Specific - Wolf etc)

[kapow]

Going to start by saying i know there is another Cleave & Trip thread however this is different because it is addressing a different matter.

The possibility of using Cleave to gain multiple trip free actions from attacks made with Bite on animals such as Wolves etc.

Trip (Ex) A creature with the trip special attack can
attempt to trip its opponent as a free action without
provoking an attack of opportunity if it hits with the
specified attack. If the attempt fails, the creature is not
tripped in return.

The trip description from the Bestiary above indicates that the free action trip occurs if the specified attack hits. If the action taken was a Cleave attack would each hit opponent suffer a free action trip follow up?

And as such use the rest of the Cleave tree to make as many free action trip attempts as you can Cleave with the appropriate Cleave feats; Great Cleave, Cleaving finish etc.

[Dabbler]

So far as I can see, this is perfectly legal.

[Xaratherus]

I would agree with Dabbler - as far as I can tell, this is legal. The wolf uses a standard action to 'cleave' bite, then gets a free trip, then moves on to the next adjacent target to bite...

This would be a nasty combination with Strong Jaw and then Cleave, Great Cleave, Combat Expertise, and Greater Trip. Assume you had four enemies adjacent; you could attack the first, trip him, get an AoO on him, then cleave to the next, trip him, get an AoO, and so on...

[Graeme]

Xaratherus wrote:

I would agree with Dabbler - as far as I can tell, this is legal. The wolf uses a standard action to 'cleave' bite, then gets a free trip, then moves on to the next adjacent target to bite...

This would be a nasty combination with Strong Jaw and then Cleave, Great Cleave, Combat Expertise, and Greater Trip. Assume you had four enemies adjacent; you could attack the first, trip him, get an AoO on him, then cleave to the next, trip him, get an AoO, and so on...

A powerful combination, but as Combat Expertise has a INT 13 prerequisite, I don't see it happening anytime soon. Wolves are cunning, but they start with a INT 2. Getting that up to INT 13 so it can take the Trip feat chain is a major undertaking....

[Xaratherus]

Graeme wrote:

Xaratherus wrote:

I would agree with Dabbler - as far as I can tell, this is legal. The wolf uses a standard action to 'cleave' bite, then gets a free trip, then moves on to the next adjacent target to bite...

This would be a nasty combination with Strong Jaw and then Cleave, Great Cleave, Combat Expertise, and Greater Trip. Assume you had four enemies adjacent; you could attack the first, trip him, get an AoO on him, then cleave to the next, trip him, get an AoO, and so on...

A powerful combination, but as Combat Expertise has a INT 13 prerequisite, I don't see it happening anytime soon. Wolves are cunning, but they start with a INT 2. Getting that up to INT 13 so it can take the Trip feat chain is a major undertaking....

I was thinking more for an awakened creature rather than an animal companion. Sorry, should have clarified that.

[Graeme]

I thought that may be what you were thinking of. It would make a great guardian for a druidic grove! But for an animal companion (which appears to be what the OP is about) it's not an option.

[kapow]

Or you know any kind of druid that has Wild Shape and feats XP.

I am planning to run a Wolf shaman that does this combo with a Wolf Companion and run teamwork feats between them for AoO's and better flanks etc.

[Doomed Hero]

If you imagine a wolf charging into a group of enemies, knocking one to the ground in such a way that the one hit the next like dominoes, and gave the wolf openings to chomp away at the others while they flailed about trying not to fall over, this all makes perfect sense.