Evasive Reflexes: what do you think about it?

[Hypersmurf]

All in all, Evasive Reflexes is pretty darn weak and has extremely limited utility if it does not allow multiple 5 foot steps and even then, it requires Combat Reflexes (and Karmic Strike) if multiple 5 foot steps are allowed (and even that does not do much except possibly stop some additional full round attacks beyond two successful ones if used with Karmic Strike). Without Karmic Strike, this is a really weak feat and even with it, it is still pretty lame.

What do you mean by "it requires Combat Reflexes if multiple 5 foot steps are allowed"?

-Hyp.

 

[KarinsDad]

What do you mean by "it requires Combat Reflexes if multiple 5 foot steps are allowed"?

I was talking about multiple 5 foot steps due to the ability, not two 5 foot steps (one normal and one due to the ability) in a round.

In other words, say you have Karmic Strike and Evasive Reflexes.

If someone is next to you and does a full round attack and hits you with the first attack, you can back up 5 feet.

If he then takes a 5 foot step and hits you with a second attack, you can back up 5 feet again only if you have Combat Reflexes. Otherwise, you cannot take another AoO and use Evasive Reflexes with it.

 

[Hypersmurf]

In other words, say you have Karmic Strike and Evasive Reflexes.

If someone is next to you and does a full round attack and hits you with the first attack, you can back up 5 feet.

If he then takes a 5 foot step and hits you with a second attack, you can back up 5 feet again only if you have Combat Reflexes. Otherwise, you cannot take another AoO and use Evasive Reflexes with it.

The wording of the ability doesn't indicate that taking the 5 foot step 'uses up' an AoO, though.

Let's say I don't have Combat Reflexes. You move through my threatened area, provoking an AoO... which I elect not to take. Then you attempt to grapple me, provoking another AoO. I have not used my AoO for the round, therefore I can take this AoO... potentially preventing your grapple.

Now let's say I don't have Combat Reflexes, but I do have Evasive Reflexes. You move through my threatened area, provoking an AoO... which I elect not to take, instead making a 5' step. Then you attempt to grapple me, provoking another AoO. I have not used my AoO for the round, therefore you are giving me a chance to make an AoO... and instead, I take a 5' step.

As long as I never take my AoO, any provocation is giving me a chance to make an AoO. It only ceases to be a chance to make an AoO if I've already made one this round. The 5 foot step is not an AoO, so it does not count towards the limit of one AoO per round.

-Hyp.