Charging

[irdeggman]

Just out of interest, if we assume the opposite - that readying to receive a charge simply lets you deal double damage on an AoO - which option would be more advantageous: Readying a set longspear against a charge for double damage, or readying an action to attack and getting both the readied attack and the AoO?

Except that this will not work with a non-reach weapon - like a spear (which contains the specific text on double damage when set against a charge).

So it is a moot position to take isn't it?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Except that this will not work with a non-reach weapon - like a spear (which contains the specific text on double damage when set against a charge).

Unless you're setting the spear against a charge from a housecat or stirge, which has to enter your space to attack!

-Hyp.

 

[jaelis]

The 'defined body' is "weapons which state they may be set against a charge". In the PHB, that's spear, longspear, halberd, and urgrosh. If you read the descriptions for those weapons, they state they can be set against a charge. The other weapons don't.

No one ever remembers the trident...

 

[moritheil]

Using this basis of simultaneity, an AoO can never happen since everything happens at the same time (or roughly so). So a character can't step up and attack someone else since that target may not be there at the time. I'm talking about the 5 ft step and full attack versus a move and cast a spell.

Again, you're being really literal and inflexible with your interpretation of simultaneity. Simultaneity does not mean "there is no time passing and all tasks take no time to complete." Quite the opposite. Simultaneity means "it's the same six seconds, and actions initiated later can still take effect earlier than mechanically indicated because it takes time for those who acted earlier to finish doing what they were doing."