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AoOs
- Thread starter SeaJay
- Start date
IronWolf
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Without Attacks of Opportunity a lot of things in combat could be done with no consequence. Having attacks of Opportunity help make things a little more tactical and add a sense of danger.
Without attacks of opportunity there would be no ramification for movement in combat when near enemy creatures or creatures with reach. Spellcasters could cast even when standing right next to an enemy creature. Drinking potions and such could also be done with no ill effect if attack of opportunity didn't exist.
Attacks of Opportunity are what mechanically add the danger of being in combat by restricting some things you can do without facing a free attack from the creature you are fighting.
Without attacks of opportunity there would be no ramification for movement in combat when near enemy creatures or creatures with reach. Spellcasters could cast even when standing right next to an enemy creature. Drinking potions and such could also be done with no ill effect if attack of opportunity didn't exist.
Attacks of Opportunity are what mechanically add the danger of being in combat by restricting some things you can do without facing a free attack from the creature you are fighting.
Patryn of Elvenshae
First Post
Additionally, attacks of opportunity are not new; in 1E, etc. (IIRC), characters would get a free attack at enemies who disengaged from melee combat.
AoOs are an extension of that same philosophy - that when someone is in your face with a sword, you darn well better pay attention to them - expanded to other aspects, as well.
Moreover, they provide a mechanical method to enforce the capability of fighter-types to stand in front of and protect "squishier" characters behind them. In earlier editions, it was always understood that it was the fighter's (etc.) job to protect the wizard. It just was not particularly clear how, apart from camping out in a doorway, that was possible. Nothing, apart from DM largesse, prevented an enemy from just walking past the fighter to beat up on the wizard.
Now, at least, the fighter has a zone of control wherein he can at least make an enemy think twice about ignoring him. 4E, IMO, does this even better.
AoOs are an extension of that same philosophy - that when someone is in your face with a sword, you darn well better pay attention to them - expanded to other aspects, as well.
Moreover, they provide a mechanical method to enforce the capability of fighter-types to stand in front of and protect "squishier" characters behind them. In earlier editions, it was always understood that it was the fighter's (etc.) job to protect the wizard. It just was not particularly clear how, apart from camping out in a doorway, that was possible. Nothing, apart from DM largesse, prevented an enemy from just walking past the fighter to beat up on the wizard.
Now, at least, the fighter has a zone of control wherein he can at least make an enemy think twice about ignoring him. 4E, IMO, does this even better.
