My 1st reading of the CRB leaves me with the impression it is much harder to disrupt casting.
From what I see, only an AOO *which crits* can disrupt an action.
So, while the Sustain action (e.g. summon animal) makes it seem like casting is easy to disrupt, the text specifically says you must disrupt the sustain *action* not just damage the caster when your turn comes.
So, did I miss something or is it true to say that:
- a Readied bowshot for when a caster starts casting/sustaining has no chance to disrupt?
- Persistent damage (e.g. acid arrow dmg) does not affect casting?
In other words, in the CRB the only way I see to disrupt a caster is by a crit-AOO.
And AOO are apparently rare now, so it seems that casters could *usually* cast in a monster's face without fear? If true it's a great system for Ftr-Mages.
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If you are just talking about the basic AoO yes, someone needs to crit to disrupt the action.
But there are many different AoO actions from martial classes.
Disruptive Stance (fighter) level 10, just disrupt the action on a regular hit with their AoO (doesn't need to crit).
In general, tho, yeah there aren't many creatures or npcs with AoO.
If you are just talking about the basic AoO yes, someone needs to crit to disrupt the action.
But there are many different AoO actions from martial classes.
Disruptive Stance (fighter) level 10, just disrupt the action on a regular hit with their AoO (doesn't need to crit).
In general, tho, yeah there aren't many creatures or npcs with AoO.
Good to know thanks - generally find it surprising that persistent damage and Readied attacks have no general effect on PF2 casters. These were the bread and butter of how to stop casters in PF1 so will require a change of thinking.
Since the spells have all been nerfed I suppose it's fair though that casters can at least get them off more reliably.
given that there's early access to feats like "combat grab" i think it'll be more fun and interactive than simply readying attacks to hit while they are casting.
Great point! My reading of Grapple is you need Restrained (which requires a crit) to stop casters (assuming S/M component). Although Grappled gives a 20% chance of spell failure.
I just noticed that although the Grapple weapon trait is described in the CRB, there are no weapons that have it - future expansions I guess!