Attacks of opportunity


Rules Questions


I would just like to clear this up.
I'm sure I read it many times, but if the attacker
gains an attack of opportunity, are all his attacks granted
If he has 3 attacks (full round action)
Or just one solo attack?

Shadow Lodge

One single attack.


Quote:
Making an Attack of Opportunity: An attack of opportunity is a single melee attack, and most characters can only make one per round. You don't have to make an attack of opportunity if you don't want to. You make your attack of opportunity at your normal attack bonus, even if you've already attacked in the round.

As stated, single melee attack. Also, you can perform a specific set of combat maneuvers as AoO's (namely, those that have "in place of a melee attack" on their wording, like disarm)


So is a TWF attack a single melee attack?


Phast wrote:
So is a TWF attack a single melee attack?

No.

"If you get more than one attack per round because your base attack bonus is high enough (see Base Attack Bonus in Classes), because you fight with two weapons or a double weapon, or for some special reason, you must use a full-round action to get your additional attacks." Source.

Since it is a full round attack to TWF, you cannot use TWF during an AOO. However, it should be noted that if you have already used TWF during that round, the relevant penalty still applies to the single attack you make as an AOO. This is the case until your next turn, when you can decide to TWF or just use one weapon and eliminated the TWF penalties.


So then it's just one lucky swing or hit
that the person on the receiving end gets hit with?
Got it.


Slightly off topic but
your use of the enter key Phast
makes me read your posts
with a poetic rhythm.


Well, he is a retired Bard.


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quibblemuch wrote:


Since it is a full round attack to TWF, you cannot use TWF during an AOO. However, it should be noted that if you have already used TWF during that round, the relevant penalty still applies to the single attack you make as an AOO. This is the case until your next turn, when you can decide to TWF or just use one weapon and eliminated the TWF penalties.

I don't think this is correct, the AoO is at your full attack bonus

"You make your attack of opportunity at your normal attack bonus, even if you've already attacked in the round."

There is no TWF text that states the penalty exists outside the full round attack they are taken in, compare to Power Attack "You must choose to use this feat before making an attack roll, and its effects last until your next turn"

"An attack of opportunity "interrupts" the normal flow of actions in the round" So you can use either weapon at your full attack bonus less any penalties like power attack.

RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16

The full-attack action is the only way you can ever use your extra attacks. The only exception is if you have a special ability that explicitly says you can do otherwise.


CountofUndolpho - good point! I had been reading in the extra text from Power Attack to TWF, assuming penalties were penalties. I stand corrected.


OK,
I'm confused and need clarification.
So with TWF I can get my full attacks on attacks of AoA?

So do I get the 2 attacks for TWF? Or 3 attacks since I'm at 6/1?

THIS IS a ROGUE so no power attacking

Grand Lodge

Phast wrote:

OK,

I'm confused and need clarification.
So with TWF I can get my full attacks on attacks of AoA?

So do I get the 2 attacks for TWF? Or 3 attacks since I'm at 6/1?

THIS IS a RIGUE so now power attacks.....

You only get one attack at your highest BAB on an AoO. That's it.


Phast wrote:

OK,

I'm confused and need clarification.
So with TWF I can get my full attacks on attacks of AoA?

I assume you mean AoO (attack of opportunity). Then no. An attack of opportunity is always a single attack. IT doesn't matter hw many normal attacks you have or how many weapons you hold - it is a single attack with a single weapon.

Quote:
So do I get the 2 attacks for TWF? Or 3 attacks since I'm at 6/1?

Two-weapon fighting gives your a single extra attack when making a full attack (as a full round action). That is it. IT doesn't matter how many attacks you normally have, TWF adds one single attack. There are feats that can add an extra attack onto this.


OK thank you


So if I take the feat that gives more AoA can I hit the same target then? Allowing more hits that way?


Phast wrote:
So if I take the feat that gives more AoA can I hit the same target then? Allowing more hits that way?

No. You can still only make a single attack with a single weapon as an attack of opportunity.


CountofUndolpho wrote:
quibblemuch wrote:


Since it is a full round attack to TWF, you cannot use TWF during an AOO. However, it should be noted that if you have already used TWF during that round, the relevant penalty still applies to the single attack you make as an AOO. This is the case until your next turn, when you can decide to TWF or just use one weapon and eliminated the TWF penalties.

I don't think this is correct, the AoO is at your full attack bonus

"You make your attack of opportunity at your normal attack bonus, even if you've already attacked in the round."

There is no TWF text that states the penalty exists outside the full round attack they are taken in, compare to Power Attack "You must choose to use this feat before making an attack roll, and its effects last until your next turn"

"An attack of opportunity "interrupts" the normal flow of actions in the round" So you can use either weapon at your full attack bonus less any penalties like power attack.

You are correct.

FAQ wrote:

Two-Weapon Fighting: If you use this on your turn to attack with two weapons, do you also take that penalty on attacks of opportunity made before the start of your next turn?

No. The penalties end as soon as you have completed the full-attack action that allowed you to attack with both weapons. Any attacks of opportunity you make are at your normal attack bonus.
Generally speaking, penalties on attacks made during your turn do not carry over to attacks of opportunity unless they specifically state otherwise (such as the penalty from using Power Attack or Combat Expertise).
This answer originally appeared in the 9/25/12 Paizo blog.


Pathfinder Maps, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Maps, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber

Only one attack.

If you have the feat "combat reflexes", or have some feat or class feature that specifically enhances your attacks of opportunity, then you have a conditional exception.

Please consult the core rulebook for the combat reflexes feat.


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Good spot @Gisher didn't remember it'd been FAQd


Look into getting Fortuitous added to your weapon. This will allow you a 1/round bonus AoO on someone you hit with an AoO.

As to only one attack per AoO, that is correct. However, some opponents provoke multiple times. Example: Caster was tripped last round. He stands up (move action, provokes) next to you, casts a spell (provokes if not cast defensively) of Ray of Frost (provoking for a ranged attack in melee). This caster just provoked three AoOs, so you could attack three times, each at your full BAB.

This does occasionally happen. I had an opponent pick up an unconscious party member and drag her away intending to do unpleasant things to her. He forgot I had a reach weapon, and I got two AoOs. Hit once, missed the next time. However, that allowed the faking player to attack from prone while out of sight after being drug away. She hit, and he died. She now had time to get back up, drink a potion, and return to the fray.

/cevah

Liberty's Edge

Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

Keep in mind, you only get more than one AoO if you have Combat Reflexes that gives you your Dex Mod in additional AoO's for your character. Each one is still just one single attack, and a creature only provokes from Movement once for each character/NPC.

Cevah example is a good one, each action described provoking separately. The character making those AoO's likely has Combat Reflexes to be able to do the additional Two AoO's after the first. (And has at least a Dex of 14)


Jeraa wrote:
Phast wrote:

OK,

I'm confused and need clarification.
So with TWF I can get my full attacks on attacks of AoA?

I assume you mean AoO (attack of opportunity). Then no. An attack of opportunity is always a single attack. IT doesn't matter hw many normal attacks you have or how many weapons you hold - it is a single attack with a single weapon.

Quote:
So do I get the 2 attacks for TWF? Or 3 attacks since I'm at 6/1?

Two-weapon fighting gives your a single extra attack when making a full attack (as a full round action). That is it. IT doesn't matter how many attacks you normally have, TWF adds one single attack. There are feats that can add an extra attack onto this.

Actually TWF does not give you an extra attack. Wielding a second weapon gives you the extra attack; TWF just reduces the penalties.


thorin001 wrote:
Jeraa wrote:
Phast wrote:

OK,

I'm confused and need clarification.
So with TWF I can get my full attacks on attacks of AoA?

I assume you mean AoO (attack of opportunity). Then no. An attack of opportunity is always a single attack. IT doesn't matter hw many normal attacks you have or how many weapons you hold - it is a single attack with a single weapon.

Quote:
So do I get the 2 attacks for TWF? Or 3 attacks since I'm at 6/1?

Two-weapon fighting gives your a single extra attack when making a full attack (as a full round action). That is it. IT doesn't matter how many attacks you normally have, TWF adds one single attack. There are feats that can add an extra attack onto this.

Actually TWF does not give you an extra attack. Wielding a second weapon gives you the extra attack; TWF just reduces the penalties.

I meant two-weapon fighting as in the rules, not the feat. And it isn't actually the second weapon that gives you the extra attack - you can wield two weapons and attack with both, but not get the extra attack (or the penalties). As long as you stick to the number of attacks you normally get at your level. The extra attack only happens if you are using the two-weapon fighting rules. So if your BAB is +6/+1, you can make each of those attacks with a different weapon without needing to use the two-weapon fighting rules.

Liberty's Edge

The first line of the two weapon fighting section is "If you wield a second weapon in your off hand, you can get one extra attack per round with that weapon". So clearly it is the second weapon that gives you the attack. Sure, you don't have to use it to attack that way, and can switch primary hands between attacks with different iteratives, but that second weapon is what gives you the two weapon fighting attack.


Deighton Thrane wrote:
The first line of the two weapon fighting section is "If you wield a second weapon in your off hand, you can get one extra attack per round with that weapon". So clearly it is the second weapon that gives you the attack. Sure, you don't have to use it to attack that way, and can switch primary hands between attacks with different iteratives, but that second weapon is what gives you the two weapon fighting attack.

The two-weapon fighting rules do require a second weapon, but having that second weapon does not give you the additional attack. Not until you have decided to use the two-weapon fighting rules.

Besides that, a second weapon isn't actually necessary. You could always two-weapon fight with an unarmed strike as well. All characters are therefore capable of using the two-weapon fighting rules, even if they only have a single manufactured weapon in their hand. They always have the option of a punch/kick/headbutt. So it isn't the presence of a second weapon (which you technically always have at all times anyway), it is using those rules that gives the extra attack.

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