Can you choose to drop your guard?


Rules Discussion


I noticed a strong combo with Aggressive Block + Flinging Shove. If there's an opponent within 10 feet of a precipice, you intentionally provoke an attack of opportunity from them, then when they hit you, you shield block, and Aggressive Block, to automatically succeed at pushing them over the edge. Because they just used their reaction, they won't have a reaction free to grab the ledge, and will fall all the way down.

However, this hinges on you being hit. Is there any way to ensure that your opponent lands their hit? Can you choose to drop your guard and take a hit?


I'd say you should be able to drop your proficiency bonus (level + rank), which is a major chunk of higher level ACs. In a similar vein, you could choose to be flat-footed and perhaps lose your Dex bonus too.

That'd still leave your armor+10.

I'd wonder what ramifications that'd have on other people attacking you. Mechanically it's only for an instance, but there's no official mechanic to distinguish how you entered that state and what its minimum length would be.

Also, at that point, your chance of getting crit could become astronomical. As it becomes more worthwhile to take the risk to eliminate the target, the risk itself increases.

"I knock the BBEG off the edge! Ha, ha!"
"Wait, you're still alive?"
"Um...Hero point!"


Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber

I wouldn't go as high as removing all of proficiency. The biggest AC penalty in the game is unconscious, with a -2 circumstance for being flatfooted and a -4 status penalty. To me, that implies that proficiency also represents some degree of "natural armor" or enhanced durability, at least at higher levels.

I'd probably say a -6 total penalty is what I'd probably allow, a that's literally your AC when totally helpless. Unless you spend actions to actively throw yourself on the enemy blade or something.


Do people really have so many fights near falling hazards?


Captain Morgan wrote:

I wouldn't go as high as removing all of proficiency. The biggest AC penalty in the game is unconscious, with a -2 circumstance for being flatfooted and a -4 status penalty. To me, that implies that proficiency also represents some degree of "natural armor" or enhanced durability, at least at higher levels.

I'd probably say a -6 total penalty is what I'd probably allow, a that's literally your AC when totally helpless. Unless you spend actions to actively throw yourself on the enemy blade or something.

Yes, making yourself helpless better represents what your PC is attempting. I guess they can't help it if they sport their armor really well and fate intervenes a bit much on their behalf. Since proficiency is active even when unconscious or ambushed, turning it "off" might have been a step too far.z

Still not sure accepting a hit w/ -6 AC is wise, though I guess in contrived situations it could pay off.
Cheers.

Verdant Wheel

This is a good question.

I'd probably rule it the following in a home game:

Your opponent attacks, and gets a certain result (CS > S > F > CF).

As a free action, you attempt to use your combat prowess to "turn" the result up a notch or two, and make a counteract check against the triggering attack. If you succeed, you can "turn" the result up as many notches as you like.

?


Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber

Yeah, I'd say a better idea would be to just shove someone, personally. If you get knocked out I don't think you can use Aggressive Block.

Now a great combo for getting past the reaction is to use a monk with stunning fist and assurance athletics. Pretty sure you can't use a reaction while stunned.


Captain Morgan wrote:
Pretty sure you can't use a reaction while stunned.

Best not to poke the bear

https://paizo.com/threads/rzs42sxe?Reactions-and-Stunned#1


Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber

And hope they dont have improved grab.


Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber
theservantsllcleanitup wrote:
Captain Morgan wrote:
Pretty sure you can't use a reaction while stunned.

Best not to poke the bear

https://paizo.com/threads/rzs42sxe?Reactions-and-Stunned#1

https://paizo.com/threads/rzs42tyw?Is-the-Daze-cantrip-worth-using#4

Seems like that bear has already been stuffed and mounted to me. I dunno if that thread referenced Mark's comment there, but it seems clearly intended by him.

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