5' step+spells=AoO? Y/N?

[Leopold]

does taking a 5' step backwards out of combat constitute an AoO?

If it does or does not can you point me where it says?

 

[Sigma]

Big Quote from the SRD:

"Threatened Area

A combatant threatens the area into which it can make a melee attack, even when it is not a combatant's action. An enemy that takes certain actions while in a threatened area may provoke an attack of opportunity from a combatant.
A combatant normally threatens all adjacent spaces. "Reach weapons" and "natural reach" can change the threatened area.

Provoking an Attack of Opportunity by Moving

If a combatant moves through (not simply into) or out of a threatened area, a combatant usually provokes an attack of opportunity.

If all a combatant does is take a normal move or a double move (not a run), the space that the combatant started out in is not considered threatened.

If a combatant's entire move for the round is 5 feet the 5 foot move does not provoke an attack of opportunity.

Provoking an Attack of Opportunity by Taking an Action

A combatant taking some kinds actions provokes attacks of opportunity, as described in the rules for each action type.

Making an Attack of Opportunity

An attack of opportunity is a single melee attack, and a combatant can only make one per round. The combatant does not have to make an attack of opportunity if the combatant doesn't want to. A combatant can make the attack of opportunity at a combatant's normal attack bonus - even if the combatant has already attacked this round."

So, you either provoke an attack of opportunity for (i) movement or (ii) certain actions as detailed in their descriptions. The exception to (i) is the 5 foot step or a double move. As long as that 5' move takes you outside of the threat zone, you don't provoke an AoO for casting.

 

[graydoom]

Well, the quote from the SRD pretty much says it all.

5 foot steps don't provoke AoOs, so it is a pretty good idea for a spellcaster to take a step back before casting. Of course, an intelligent fighter could respond to that by readying their action to follow you and attack you when you cast.

 

[Virago]

Of course, an intelligent fighter could respond to that by readying their action to follow you and attack you when you cast.

The 5' step cannot be taken unless the fighter started out his turn adjacent to the spellcaster, which is not always (or even usually) the case.

It's actually rather hard to interrupt or prevent spellcasting in melee. Readying a melee attack is not usually the best way.

 

[Caliban]

Of course, an intelligent fighter could respond to that by readying their action to follow you and attack you when you cast.

The 5' step cannot be taken unless the fighter started out his turn adjacent to the spellcaster, which is not always (or even usually) the case.

It's actually rather hard to interrupt or prevent spellcasting in melee. Readying a melee attack is not usually the best way.

The fighter could do a Partial Charge with his readied action, if he doesn't move before readying the action.

 

[kreynolds]

The fighter could do a Partial Charge with his readied action, if he doesn't move before readying the action.

I love that tactic. I use that a lot against spellcasters when I'm a player and not DMing, which is definately rare. I miss playing.

 

[Archer]

Pressing Attack feat in Dragonstar lets you more with someone taking a 5' step out of your threatened area once per round. You can move to any square that would allow you to threaten your target again. I think this is a balanced feat and helps with some of the complaints about the 5' step. Of course defensive casting almost never fails for higher level wizards.

 

[kreynolds]

Of course defensive casting almost never fails for higher level wizards.

With a ring that grants a +30 competence bonus to your concentration checks and only costs 18,000gp, they never fail.

 

[Virago]

The fighter could do a Partial Charge with his readied action, if he doesn't move before readying the action.

You could partial charge even if you had moved earlier, so long as it continues a straight line. However in this case the spellcaster only moved 5' away, which is too close for a partial charge. So, oddly, if you start your turn with 5 feet of empty space between you and the mage, you may want to stay put to ready; we assume in an American football type stance, waiting for the mage to go for the component pouch . . .

Should there really be a lower limit to the distance moved with charge and partial charge? Should the rule be something more like: you always suffer a -2 penalty to AC, but you only get the +2 bonus to attack when you travel 10' distance or more.

 

[IceBear]

Well, assuming you haven't moved already this round, you can take a 5' step with your partial action. So, if the wizard steps back 5' to cast a spell, your ready action kicks in and you step up 5' and attack.

IceBear