Readied Action vs Natural Attack with Reach or Lunge

[Shadowfoot]

If you are being attached an opponent with reach and a natural attack, such as a giant octopus, can you ready to attack it when its tentacle attacks you? Likewise what about an opponent with lunge, or is it considered too fast?

In both cases, part of the creature is touching you when it damages you, so can you be prepared to attack it? There may be terrain problems that prevents you moving closer to it.

I can understand that a weapon wielding creature could hit you while keeping all parts of itself out of your reach, but can a natural attack do the same?

[Arcaian]

Pretty sure there's a feat designed to let you do this, so yes, but with a feat tax. Of course if it's a home game you can just say everyone gets the feat :)

[Fomsie]

Yeah there is a specific feat to do what you want.

Strike Back wrote:

You can strike at foes that attack you using their superior reach, by targeting their limbs or weapons as they come at you.

Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +11.

Benefit: You can ready an action to make a melee attack against any foe that attacks you in melee, even if the foe is outside of your reach.

So yeah, looks like it is a no go otherwise.

My advice? Invest in a longspear.

[Shadowfoot]

Ouch. That looks like a feat my players won't take. I can stop being so nice now.

[Deadalready]

Alternatively if you think it's too harsh impose a +4/8 AC bonus for attacking limbs?