On the Other Hand how to we make them Flat-Footed

[On the Other Hand]

I am curious, how does someone make someone Flat-Footed in Pathfinder?
I am curious if this can be done with a first level spell, specifically an arcane spell, but Divine spells work too.

I am bringing over Factotum and using Iaijutsu Focus with it (Because how else is it going to do damage)

[Imbicatus]

Shatter Defenses combined with any fear effect works. Dazzling Display is the traditional method.

Using an improvised weapon against an unarmed opponent with catch off-guard works too.

Also, flagging this to go to advice.

[Kazumetsa Raijin]

If you're working with a level 2+ Flowing Monk, you can make them Flat-Footed with an Attack of Opportunity. The best way to get these is through Tripping(because when they stand up they provoke normally) at early levels, then through Snake Fang for later levels when Trip becomes less useful. I've got a great build for it if you want it! It's working out great for me so far; and anyone relying on Flat-Footed opponents LOVES me.

Otherwise, Feint is a good combat maneuver for making things flat-footed. There are a plethora of Feint enhancing Feats out there too. Essentially you "juke" your opponent into thinking you're coming one way, then change it up before they can react.

[On the Other Hand]

Isn't there a different between denying Dex and being Flat-Footed?

[Ascalaphus]

It can indeed be done with a first-level arcane spell: grease.

[Kazumetsa Raijin]

On the Other Hand wrote:

Isn't there a different between denying Dex and being Flat-Footed?

Now I'm not 100% certain, but being denied your Dex may just be merely losing your Dex bonus to AC/CMD/Reflex, where-as being Flat-Footed qualifies for different abilities AND you lose your dex/dodge bonuses to AC/CMD/Reflex. Edit: Also while being Flat-Footed you cannot make AoOs.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, I feel I'm rather rusty on that.

Flat-Footed: A character who has not yet acted during a combat is flat-footed, unable to react normally to the situation. A flat-footed character loses his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) and cannot make attacks of opportunity.

[claudekennilol]

Kazumetsa Raijin wrote:

On the Other Hand wrote:

Isn't there a different between denying Dex and being Flat-Footed?

Now I'm not 100% certain, but being denied your Dex may just be merely losing your Dex bonus to AC/CMD/Reflex, where-as being Flat-Footed qualifies for different abilities AND you lose your dex/dodge bonuses to AC/CMD/Reflex. Edit: Also while being Flat-Footed you cannot make AoOs.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, I feel I'm rather rusty on that.

That pretty much sums it up.

[Ascalaphus]

@Kazu: you got it right. "Denied dex" is an informal sort of condition, while Flat-Footed has its own entry in the glossary in the back of the CRB.

Quote:

Flat-Footed: A character who has not yet acted during a combat is flat-footed, unable to react normally to the situation. A flat-footed character loses his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) and cannot make attacks of opportunity.

So to be precise, you don't lose Dex to Reflex. Furthermore, on p.199 of the combat chapter it also states:

Combat Maneuver Defence wrote:

A flat-footed creature does not add its Dexterity bonus to its CMD.

[Kazumetsa Raijin]

Ah, no loss of Reflex. Okay.

[Imbicatus]

You can also make AoOs while flat-footed if you have combat reflexes.