“Positioning Attack” in the middle of Two-Weapon Fighting?

[Stratotally]

I used this talent in my last game I played, but I’m not sure that I’m using it correctly.

Text for positioning attack:

Once per day, when a rogue with this talent hits a creature with a melee attack, she can move up to 30 feet without provoking attacks of opportunity. The movement must end in a space adjacent to the creature hit with the melee attack.

So if I am attacking twice, if I hit with the first attack can I reposition and then attack with the second? Does this count as a free move action? Or does this cost a move action and it just doesn’t provoke?

Just want to make sure I get this right before I use it again. It’s a talent, so I’m not really sure how all that works with the game economy.

So far the consensus is mixed on Reddit, so I'm hoping to get an official ruling on this.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Pathfinder/comments/bbnfis/positioning_attack_in_t he_middle_of_twoweapon/

Thanks!

[Claxon]

The ability doesn't specify.

As written, it looks like it's a non-action (doesn't use a move action) and doesn't use up movement speed from the next round. Some similar abilities exist which aren't an action but use up your movement speed for the next round.

I looked and didn't find an FAQ for this.

As a GM, I would probably rule that movement taken counts against movement for your next around but doesn't count as an action.

[MrCharisma]

Since this is the Rules Formum, let's go by the rules: The text doesn't specify that it changes the action type so it doesn't. Tough luck. Looks like you still have to use a move action.

Now over to advice forum mode: I'm struggling to work out how you'd use this effectively, so i'd probably rule as Claxon did to make this 1/day ability - that took a talent to get - useful.

EDIT: The text does look like it was meant to change the action economy, but they forgot - eg: Once per day, when a rogue with this talent hits a creature with a melee attack, she can move up to 30 feet as a swift* action without provoking ..."

*Using "Swift" action as an example, could be immediate/free/swift/move.

[Stratotally]

With it being a 1/day ability, I’m trying to understand the advantage it gives. Sure, you avoid AoO. But that’s it? And it specifying 30 ft vs “you can take a move action” where it may be more/less? Like, what if I’m in difficult terrain? Still trying to understand it...

[Bill Dunn]

It really does what it says, allow the rogue to reposition herself in a significant way. In fact, since PF gimped tumbling through a big opponent’s space or threatened reach so badly, this is a pretty useful way to get around a big creature to set up flanking.

[MrCharisma]

It seems like a pretty bad talent to take with all the restrictions.

- It only works once per day
- You have to hit the enemy before you use it
- You (apparently) have to have a move action remaining to use it (so you have to start the tuen next to your enemy?)
- You have to end your movement adjacent to the enemy you hit to activate this ability

So it really is just a "you can flank someone 1/day" ability, but it takes 1 or 2 rounds to set up ...

[Temperans]

Well the way I read which I admit may not be RAI, it looks like 30 ft movement as as a free action. Granted this might be too strong so RAI is probably that it does take some type of action and it just modifies movement.

Now what the use might be, well:

You can reposition around a creature that is too close. Specially good in small places where you will definetly provoke and vs Combat Patrol users.

When fighting a close group of enemies, you can strike the closest one and then move around strike the ones on the back.

After getting ambushed you can use it too quickly move around the enemies and start giving/receiving flank bonuses.

[Fuzzy-Wuzzy]

I also read it as a free action, or even a non-action, but not a move action. But with the 1/day limitation it's still not worth a talent IMO.

[Volkard Abendroth]

Positioning attack does not appear to have an action cost, nor is the user required to use it on their own turn.

The ability can trigger off an AoO just as easily as a standard or full attack.

[Stratotally]

Another question:

Once per day, when a rogue with this talent hits a creature with a melee attack, she can move up to 30 feet without provoking attacks of opportunity.

Without provoking AoO from anyone? Or just the creature struck?

It's called "Positioning Attack". I feel like with a name like that, it means that while I'm attacking a creature I'm repositioning in the process of that attack. Almost like a tumble + slice of their ankle, and now I'm behind them...

[Bill Dunn]

Stratotally wrote:

Another question:

Once per day, when a rogue with this talent hits a creature with a melee attack, she can move up to 30 feet without provoking attacks of opportunity.

Without provoking AoO from anyone? Or just the creature struck?

I would presume the movement doesn't provoke from anybody - absent any other language to the contrary.

[blahpers]

That talent is "Cowboy BeBop At His Computer"-level with respect to how many things are wrong with it.