AoO's

[Xeoble]

When does activating a magic item trigger an attack of opportunity?

My group had a long discussion about this last time we met, and i'm still not sure i understand how magic item activation works in regards to drawing AoO's.

 

[Shayuri]

Here's the easy short way to look at it.

Using a scroll draws an AoO just like casting a spell does, except you can't do it defensively.

No other magic item draws an AoO to use, unless the item is involved an action that would normally (ie - without using an item) draw an AoO. For example, if you wore boots that made you run faster...and you ran through a combat...they'd get AoO's. Not because you were wearing the boots, mind, but because you were running within the threatened area of a foe.

 

[Xeoble]

In other words, activating a spell from a ring of spell storing would not provoke an attack of opportunity?

 

[dcollins]

Drinking a potion or reading a scroll provoke AOO's. (DMG 175, 190, 203).

Using a spell trigger item (wand, staff) or command-word item (most other items) do not. (DMG 175-6, 204, 206). This would basically have to include a magic ring.

 

[Mahali]

You can read a scroll defensively.