There is a 500-post topic on the front page of the forum currently discussing this issue. Since they've yet to achieve a consensus, I'd suggest you go to that thread and hit the FAQ button :P
What happens to my action if it becomes invalid due to an AoO or readied action.
There is a 500-post topic on the front page of the forum currently discussing this issue. Since they've yet to achieve a consensus, I'd suggest you go to that thread and hit the FAQ button :P
What happens to my action if it becomes invalid due to an AoO or readied action.
This.
But also keep in mind, readying an action requires a recognizable trigger, your GM has every right to deny you this use of a readied action based on the fact that your CHARACTER has no way to identify the exact moment of dice rolling/attack.
That is meta-game knowledge, and based on that alone, I would deny this use of the readied action described.
I just want to make sure this works as I suspect, so having some clarity here to support me when I try it would be useful.
An enemy is going to attack me in melee.
Situation 1: Charge, 5' step, or movement action - in all 3 cases where the very end of their movement puts them barely in the square next to me.
Situation 2: Charge or movement action where if I were 5' further away they would still have enough movement to reach me.
My Readied Action: When the enemy is preparing to strike me; make a melee attack, then take a 5' step away from the enemy.
As readied actions are worded, I believe all of my readied actions happen before the trigger action (including the 5' step), which should place me out of range of the attack while striking the opponent.
Is the RAW enough to support this, and are there other situations or stipulations above where the enemy would still get an attack? Say in between the melee attack and 5' step?
Yup you're good to go. It's not the solution all the time, but it's a good one when it's good.