AoO vs. invis Opponents

[hong]

If you can't see them, I don't see how you can tell that they've momentarily dropped their guard. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

AoOs are not an extra attack on a defender who leaves themselves open (although the mechanics play out that way). They happen because the defender is momentarily distracted, and thus less able to evade your _normal_ attacks over the course of six seconds.

As long as someone knows you're there, and is trying to hit you, they would get the AoO. You would still get the regular benefits of total concealment, ie they have to choose a square and you get a 50% miss chance even if they choose correctly.

 

[bret]

If you can't see them, I don't see how you can tell that they've momentarily dropped their guard. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

If half cover prevents AoO's, I think that half concealment should as well. Just my opinion (and my house rule now, I guess). After all, even 10% concealment cancels sneak attacks!

It isn't that you saw them drop their guard.

It is that you are continually attempting to attack them. Because of their actions, and attack that would have normally been doomed to failure (not good enough to get through someone's guard) now has a chance of hurting them. They weren't paying enough attention to the sword being waved in their face to avoid it.
It helps if you keep in mind that rounds are a game mechanic and in the 'real' battle several things are all happening at the same time.

 

[Celtavian]

Re

I don't allow AoO against invisible opponents unless a person has Combat Reflexes, Blind-fight, or Uncanny Dodge ability. An invisible attacker denies an opponent there Dexterity bonus.

I play it as though they are flat-footed. A flat-footed person is unable to make AoO's unless they have Combat Reflexes or Uncanny Dodge.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Re: Re

An invisible attacker denies an opponent there Dexterity bonus.

I play it as though they are flat-footed. A flat-footed person is unable to make AoO's unless they have Combat Reflexes or Uncanny Dodge.

Iaijustsu Focus would be extremely powerful in your game, then?

-Hyp.