RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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With attacks of opportunities becoming a rare thing with only fighters having them by default, and some others able to take as a feat, and most monsters not having them either, is there a way to tell if you're fighting someone who can do that? In PF1, it was normal to 5-foot step away from combat and pick your route carefully though the battlefield to avoid AoOs, but in PF2 when they're rare, it seems like AoOs are now the surprise smack. Is there an in-game way for either a PC or npc to determine if they need to move with caution to avoid them based on observing who you're fighting, a Perception check, etc?
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I do not believe there is anything called out specifically for this, but my thought would be if you dig deep enough into Recall Knowledge checks you might learn this about creatures, or the Warfare Lore one of the backgrounds shows us when dealing with martial fighters of a humanoid nature. I would not expect it to be the most iconic information of a creature, but you can repeat Recall Knowledge to dig into less well known facts. (Monster Identification is talked about on Page 338.) I would let your GM know if this kind of information is high on the priority list of your character so they can adjudicate their choices appropriately.
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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I do not believe there is anything called out specifically for this, but my thought would be if you dig deep enough into Recall Knowledge checks you might learn this about creatures, or the Warfare Lore one of the backgrounds shows us when dealing with martial fighters of a humanoid nature. I would not expect it to be the most iconic information of a creature, but you can repeat Recall Knowledge to dig into less well known facts. (Monster Identification is talked about on Page 338.) I would let your GM know if this kind of information is high on the priority list of your character so they can adjudicate their choices appropriately.
That's roughly what I was thinking - that there isn't a way to tell unless you rely on stuff like recall knowledge. Unfortunately, this leads to an effect counter to the change in making AOOs a power only a few creatures have.
I'm assuming the intent is to encourage more mobile battles, where creatures don't have to often worry about AOOs, so they much more freely take move/stride actions. Unfortunately, if you know some people can make AOOs, but not all, and you're know a knowledge kind of creature, you often are going to revert to the careful step movements on the battlefield, IN CASE the foe you're fighting can AOO. Are they a fighter? A paladin? Barbarian? Ranger? A wizard with full plate and a sword, or a fighter who casts some spells? Don't know, so assume they can AOO you.
Suddenly we're back to the slow 5-step based movement in most combats, even if 90% or more of your foes can't actually make AOOs.
Only if you're a coward. Risk analysis and differing risk appetites will determine actual behavior.
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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Just send the barbarian to make a lap around the Monster first and look what happens ;)
Serious answer, that should be covered by Recall Knowledge like any other Monster abilities. And Recall Knowledge could use more guidance/clarification on what is iconic Knowledge about a Monster.
Recall knowledge only addresses the monster part of the equation. How do you tell if the dude in armor and a sword has AoOs?
There should be some sort of difficult check that would allow you to determine that a foe is currently able to use some sort of offensive reaction against you. I am not sure whether it should be Perception or some sort of recall knowledge check (or which skill to use for the latter).
There should be some sort of difficult check that would allow you to determine that a foe is currently able to use some sort of offensive reaction against you. I am not sure whether it should be Perception or some sort of recall knowledge check (or which skill to use for the latter).
Sounds like a fighter feat. I don't see why other classes would have the skill to read someone's body language and deduce their AoO capabilities.
I feel your character would assume they cannot unless you've seen a similar creature do so in the past.
Recall knowledge only addresses the monster part of the equation. How do you tell if the dude in armor and a sword has AoOs?Just send the barbarian to make a lap around the Monster first and look what happens ;)
Serious answer, that should be covered by Recall Knowledge like any other Monster abilities. And Recall Knowledge could use more guidance/clarification on what is iconic Knowledge about a Monster.
Recall Knowledge: Society?
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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I guess that could work, but that feels more like Warfare Lore than society.
The problem with any of these solutions is that it's really knowledge important to everyone, not just characters who have a few specific skills. It should be something which anyone on the battlefield should have a reasonable chance to know, or just know automatically if they look at someone fighting.
I guess that could work, but that feels more like Warfare Lore than society.
The problem with any of these solutions is that it's really knowledge important to everyone, not just characters who have a few specific skills. It should be something which anyone on the battlefield should have a reasonable chance to know, or just know automatically if they look at someone fighting.
About the same chance of a barbarian knowing that a red dragon breaths fire?
I don't see a reason to treat humanoid enemies different than monster enemies; allow a skill investment in knowledge/lore to provide useful information. Whether some ability as obvious by looking at a creature or requires a skill roll is an old argument. The new rules in the playtest doesn't really change it.