Bigby's Grasping Hand Question

[Sinjin the Rogue]

Does anyone know if this spell has been errata'd in any way to give the hand improved grapple?

The reason I ask is predicated on the details below:

1. The hand is AC 20
2. A grappling attempt attracts an attack of opprtunity.
3. A wizard capable of casting this spell has to be at least level 13, and most enemies the 13th+ wizard will face will have no problem striking an AC of 20.
4. If the target of a grapple succeeds in making an attack of opportunity, the grapple fails.

Granted, the wizard/sorcerer casting the spell could hope to cast when the target is flat-footed, or perhaps wait to cast until the target has used its attack of opportunity for the round already, but these occassions are rare.

I'm hoping that perhaps the spell will have been amended to allow the hand to have improved grapple, thus negating the attack of opportunity.

 

[AuraSeer]

The hand does not draw an AoO at all. From the FAQ:

When a Bigby’s forceful hand spell bull rushes an opponent, does the opponent get an attack of opportunity against the forceful hand? Does a Bigby’s grasping hand trigger an attack of opportunity when it grapples a foe?

No in both cases. Mobile spell effects, even ones that can be attacked as though they were creatures, do not trigger attacks of opportunity when they act or move unless their descriptions say they do.

 

[Sinjin the Rogue]

thanks

Thanks for the rapid response Auraseer. I'm much obliged.