sudden block and touch attacks

[Xelnagahunter]

So my gm last night wanted to rule that the sudden block ability would make our champion vulnerable to the blocked touch attack. Her reasoning being that the block would allow the touching hand to make contact with the blocking hand/weapon. We convinced her otherwise with the thoughts that we could hit the arm instead to knock the touch aside. We also noted that the ability only said "melee attacks" in reference to what could be blocked.

that said, is this a legal use of the ability? I think it is but I promised my gm I'd get real clarification.

[wraithstrike]

Your GM is wrong A melee touch attack is still a type of melee attack so they are negated, and while the word "block" is in the title, that is just the name. The actual rules text determines how abilities work, not the name of flavor text, and by the rules the attacker takes the lower of two rolls, to determine if the attack lands or not.

[Xelnagahunter]

I've learned that its bad practice to ever say the final rules arbiter is wrong, especially when they listen to reason, but thank you for help clarifying the rule. She will be glad to see that at least one other person sees the rule as her players do, meaning we made the right call in the end. Thank you. Anyone else willing to add to the support or opposition is still welcome, more thoughts = better decisions made.

[wraithstrike]

Xelnagahunter wrote:

I've learned that its bad practice to ever say the final rules arbiter is wrong, especially when they listen to reason, but thank you for help clarifying the rule. She will be glad to see that at least one other person sees the rule as her players do, meaning we made the right call in the end. Thank you. Anyone else willing to add to the support or opposition is still welcome, more thoughts = better decisions made.

If they are wrong then they are wrong. Being in charge does not equal being right and I am often a rules arbitrator, if that matters. :)

[KainPen]

Xelnagahunter see the faq on deflecting attacks for your dms clarification

http://paizo.com/paizo/faq/v5748nruor1fm#v5748eaic9qnz

you are correct that a blocked/deflected attack does not effect the target even if touched with a touch attack. but it does not count as miss to trigger feats or ability that are triggered on miss.

This FAQ gives example of shocking grasp spell and ghoul palatalization touch.