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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hypersmurf" data-source="post: 2711175" data-attributes="member: 1656">It rather defeats the purpose, though, doesn't it?"If I stand up, I'll provoke an AoO.  How can I avoid that?  I know - I'll Bull Rush him, provoking an AoO, with the possibility of not actually moving him any distance, so I can stand up without provoking an AoO!"Although if one considers the FAQ authoritative, the penalty does apply:Earlier, you talked about Bob the fighter, who wasunconscious and later woke up, prone, to find Grog the orcstanding in his space. You said Bob has to stay prone solong as he remained in Grog’s space, and that Bob wouldprovoke an attack of opportunity upon leaving that space.Suppose Bob made a grapple attack on Grog? He cangrapple Grog, can’t he? Bob would be at a negative forbeing prone but would not provoke an attack ofopportunity, would he? Assuming Bob establishes a hold onGrog, how long does the prone penalty last?Sure, Bob can grapple Grog. Bob’s initial grab attackprovokes an attack of opportunity from Grog unless Bob hasthe Improved Grapple feat or some other circumstance preventsGrog from threatening Bob. (For example, Grog would notthreaten Bob if Grog were wielding a reach weapon.) If Grogdeals damage to Bob with an attack of opportunity, Bob’sgrapple attempt is over.If Grog doesn’t damage Bob, Bob’s initial touch attackwould suffer a –4 penalty for being prone. If the grab succeeds,Bob is still prone and still suffers the –4 penalty for beingprone for the ensuing opposed grapple check. (Some DMs Iknow would give Bob an offsetting bonus for being able towrap himself around Grog’s ankles, but I don’t recommenddoing so; it’s pretty easy to kick loose from somebody lying onthe ground when you’re standing up).If Bob gets a hold on Grog, he normally would have tomove into Grog’s space to maintain the hold. This movementwould provoke attacks of opportunity from foes that threatenBob. However, Bob is in Grog’s space already, so he doesn’thave to move to maintain the hold, and he is spared attacks ofopportunity from Grog’s allies.You can move when grappling (see page 156 in thePlayer’s Handbook). Normally you drag foes along with youwhen you move during grappling, but there’s no reason whyBob can’t just use a move action to stand up in Grog’s spaceonce he has hold of Grog. Bob has to win an opposed grapplecheck against Grog (still at –4 for being prone) to stand up.This doesn’t provoke an attack of opportunity from Grog (whodoesn’t threaten Bob or anyone else while grappling), but itdoes from Grog’s allies if they threaten Bob (see page 143 inthe Player’s Handbook). Once on his feet, Bob can keepgrappling without the prone penalty, or just let Grog go. If Boblets go, he can leave Grog’s space with a 5-foot step and notprovoke any attacks of opportunity. (Getting up is a moveaction, but its not “movement” for purposes of taking a 5-footstep because Bob isn’t actually moving any distance, see page144 in the Player’s Handbook).-Hyp.</blockquote>

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