Enlarge Person vs. Charge into combat

[AvangionQ]

Hello. I have a question concerning larger than medium sized creatures with reach and multiple threatened squares, such as those generated by the Enlarge Person spell, and the charging into combat attack option.
Here's my two potentially not-so-simple questions: If moving through two threatened squares provokes an attack of opportunity, does charging into combat through two threatened squares provoke the same attack of opportunity? If yes, does the large defender effectively gain the +2 bonus to hit that the charger loses from his armor class as part of his charge attempt?

 

[shilsen]

Yes, to both.

 

[cmanos]

yes...charge does nothing to negate AOO. If you move out of a threatened square on a charge, you are subjected to an AOO. And you are at -2AC too.

 

[AvangionQ]

Thanks - just wanted to make sure, as giant sized creatures with this would become seriously annoying to any character without tumble skill.
Thanks much.

 

[Infiniti2000]

You can't Tumble while charging, so the Tumble skill doesn't apply in this situation.

Also, I'm a little worried about you mentioning "two" threatened squares. Why are there two and what does that have to do with your question? Specifically, are you aware that movement only provokes one opportunity per opponent, regardless of how many squares?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Also, I'm a little worried about you mentioning "two" threatened squares. Why are there two and what does that have to do with your question?

I suspect he means moving 'through' one and 'into' a second. A Large creature threatens 'two' squares, and thus charging one necessitates passing completely through one of them, provoking an AoO for leaving. A Medium creature doesn't, so charging one only involving entering a single threatened square, provoking no AoO.

-Hyp.

 

[MarkB]

I suspect he means moving 'through' one and 'into' a second. A Large creature threatens 'two' squares, and thus charging one necessitates passing completely through one of them, provoking an AoO for leaving. A Medium creature doesn't, so charging one only involving entering a single threatened square, provoking no AoO.

-Hyp.

Unless, of course, the medium creature has a Reach weapon. In that case, the charger still only enters one threatened square, but since he also exits it, he provokes the AoO.

 

[Klaus]

You can't Tumble while charging, so the Tumble skill doesn't apply in this situation.

Also, I'm a little worried about you mentioning "two" threatened squares. Why are there two and what does that have to do with your question? Specifically, are you aware that movement only provokes one opportunity per opponent, regardless of how many squares?

Unless you have Acrobatic Charge (Duelist or Thief-Acrobat come to mind).

 

[AvangionQ]

The original reason for my question was to see if there were any other means, aside from high ranks in tumble skill, to avoid provoking attacks of opportunity from large sized creatures when first going into melee with them. Yes, I know its only one AoO per creature per round, but what happens when you come across a Giant with high DEX and combat reflexes - all your buddies that want to help in melee might as well put a bullseye on their heads. As I said, large sized creatures just became tremendously annoying.

 

[shilsen]

The original reason for my question was to see if there were any other means, aside from high ranks in tumble skill, to avoid provoking attacks of opportunity from large sized creatures when first going into melee with them. Yes, I know its only one AoO per creature per round, but what happens when you come across a Giant with high DEX and combat reflexes - all your buddies that want to help in melee might as well put a bullseye on their heads. As I said, large sized creatures just became tremendously annoying.

Spring Attack would also help avoid AoOs.

If unable to tumble or use Spring Attack, then ready an attack and make the creature come to you. Even if it stops 10 ft away and attacks, you can take a 5 ft step with the readied action (presuming you haven't moved earlier in the round), step in and attack.