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Message: <blockquote data-quote="anon" data-source="post: 2747719" data-attributes="member: 3727">I too think the rules as writter are clear.  An AoO allows a Cleave into another combatant.But, I think this makes for an internal contradiction.And I quoteth the SRD on the explanation for Attacks of Opportunity:Where was the lapse in defense in combatant B (the Cleave attackee) which allows for a free out-of-initiative attack(s)?  There was none.Of course one can rationalize the extra attack(s) by described powerful cuts and distracting secondary opponents, etc.. But there's nothing in the rules to justify these imaginative descriptions.The argument that this interpretation opposes Cleave in general is inaccurate.  On their turn a skilled fighter can swing at as many opponents as s/he threatens with the correct feats (spring attack, whirlwind, greater cleave, etc..) and a high enough BAB.  But when it is not their turn a defender must do something specific which allows an out-of-initiative attack by that same fighter.The structure of the round system is meant to very carefully contain ones actions to their own initiative.  The primary exception to this is attacks of opportunity (though there are others) which allows out-of-initiative attacks.  AoO are meant to place limits on what a character can do on their turn without dropping their guard to avoid drawing extra attacks. AoO/Cleave is the only example I can think in which a character may draw extra attacks of opportunity from an attacker without actually dropping their guard, i.e., through no fault of their own.I realize this has been debated time and again.  And I do agree that the RAW support AoO/Cleave.  But to those who allow it, do any of you place any limit on this?  Could a friendly caster summon a bunch of 0' reach creatures in the square of our best fighter, command them to attack him, only to have each of them draw an AoO as they enter his square, so that he could Cleave into the BB?  This is logical?  Even in your game logic world?Not very logical, heroic, or fantastical in my mind--just a natural extension of inadequately thought out internally-conflicted rule combination.</blockquote>

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