Combat Patrol + Improved Snap Shot = DBZ Dodge?


Rules Questions


This is not about whether the increased AOO range stacks. IMO it does, but more importantly it has already been discussed in This Thread.

My question is:
Can you move AWAY from a target you are attacking as part of the AOO?

Snap Shot:
While wielding a ranged weapon with which you have Weapon Focus, you threaten squares within 5 feet of you. You can make attacks of opportunity with that ranged weapon. You do not provoke attacks of opportunity when making a ranged attack as an attack of opportunity.

Improved Snap Shot:
You threaten an additional 10 feet with Snap Shot.

Combat Patrol:
As a full-round action, you may set up a combat patrol, increasing your threatened area by 5 feet for every 5 points of your base attack bonus. Until the beginning of your next turn, you may make attacks of opportunity against any opponent in this threatened area that provokes attacks of opportunity. You may move as part of these attacks, provided your total movement before your next turn does not exceed your speed. Any movement you make provokes attacks of opportunity as normal.

By RAW it seems like you can. As per Combat Patrol you can "move as part of these attacks" but it doesn't say you need to move toward your target. RAI I think that is so a melee character can move up to someone to make their AOO - Its a combat patrol after all.

On a ranged PC though this can be either amazing or problematic, depending on your point of view. If you CAN move anywhere you want as part of the AOO does that mean you can dodge attacks because AOO's resolve first. For instance, if an allosaurus pounces you could you use this to move perpendicular to their charge - thus giving you an AOO and negating their attack. Or move out the AOE of a spell being cast near you?


By raw it seems like you can, but remember you would also provoke an attack of opportunity from your opponent when you move, unless you tumble or something. THis could also theoretically be done with a reach weapon.

I dont think its unbalanced, its a cool if potentially annoying combo that takes alot of investment and alot of sacrifice to set up. And it can be bypassed by intelligent enemies pretty easily.

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