AoOs, Thrown Gerbils, and Relative Motion

[Norfleet]

Here's an interesting concept: A character stands on a moving platform which glides by another character, moving him through the threatened area: Does that other character receive an attack of opportunity against the "moving" character, even though the "moving" character is actually standing still, and it is the ground which is "moving"?

What if both characters are on moving platforms which pass by each other? Does each receive an attack of opportunity against the other?

This, of course, ties into the thrown gerbil AoO exploit: Does a character who is moving due to being propelled by a third party or external force, or due to standing on something which IS moving, incur an AoO?

 

[Magic Slim]

Well, IIRC, when you get pushed via a Bull Rush, you DO incur AoO's, so, in your examples, yes, they would incur AoO's.

Slim

 

[Norfleet]

On the other hand, when a character is pushed by a bull rush, he's unbalanced, and not in a stationary posture, whereas a person who floats by on a levitating platform is firmly planted in a stationary posture that ordinarily wouldn't invoke an attack of opportunity.

 

[Magic Slim]

True, true... I simply don't think the rules cover this...

Well, unless you treat it as if the character moving was Mounted... what happens to the rider when his horse moves within threatened squares? Does the horse incur AoO's? both?

Slim

 

[Norfleet]

I don't recall what the rules for riders on horses are offhand, but if the rule is that the rider doesn't incur an extra attack of opportunity, then that tends to support the idea that people on platforms do not incur attacks of opportunity either.

On the other hand, if he does, that still doesn't entirely suggest that people on platforms would do likewise: A rider on a horse still perceives himself to be in motion, whereas a person on a slowly moving platform could perceive himself as stationary and the people around him as moving.

Of course, on the subject of horses and riders, there doesn't appear to be any rules regarding two people on horses fighting a battle against each other while the horses move along side by side.

 

[Henry]

Look at it this way: A rider on a horse that is moving in a way that incurs Op-attacks is also vulnerable to an Op-attack. The same principle would apply here. The trick is: are you moving in such a way Relative to your opponent that you would trigger an Op-attack from them? It doesn't matter if you are on a horse, a chariot, or a rail-car, you are moving through something's threatened area.

The only exception I am aware of is if you have sufficient cover as to avoid Op-attacks, as lying down in a covered wagon, or sitting inside an apparatus of Kwalish or other magical tank.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

Here's an interesting concept: A character stands on a moving platform which glides by another character, moving him through the threatened area: Does that other character receive an attack of opportunity against the "moving" character, even though the "moving" character is actually standing still, and it is the ground which is "moving"?

If we apply Einstein's special relativity it is obvious that both provoke AoOs. Maybe the platform is still and the ground is moving?


Seriously though, it would be reasonable for there to be no AoO at all, if the DM decides the platform is sturdy and moving at a smooth & steady rate.

Strictly by the book, there is always as an AoO for moving, whether on a platform or on a horse. I can think of a lot of circumstances where it would be best to make exceptions. The rules presume that either you are generally either moving under your own power or against your will, both which provoke AoOs. D&D rules are not written with vehicular travel in mind. The mounted combat rules are sort of wonky.

 

[ConcreteBuddha]

Sorry, this isn't meant to be a hijack, but for some reason, I find the word "wonky" to be utterly hilarious. Thought you all should know...

 

[Magic Slim]

Sorry, this isn't meant to be a hijack, but for some reason, I find the word "wonky" to be utterly hilarious. Thought you all should know...

How do you feel about the name "Willy Wonka", then?

(sorry sorry back to the topic at hand)

 

[LokiDR]

An AoO is provoked by "moving" through a threatened square (among other things). The simple way to work it that covers mounted combat is whenever something uses a move action to move. You, your mount, your bull rusher, they all provoke. The platform or conveyor belt would not as you can focus all your concentration on not letting your guard down.