Help with using AoO please....

[GiantSlayerMike]

Just a quick question hopefully I can get some feedback on. I've yet to play a game of Third Edition, and might soon be running a campaign for my younger brothers. I really like the concept of The Attack of Opportunity rules, but I don't really know if it's possible for me to use them without minatures or counters, as I don't use them in any game I play and do not plan to. So, does anyone else use these rules without anything on the table to guide them? Is it possible to run with the rules, even when it all has to be in our heads? And by possible, I mean able to do it seamlessly without being locked up in rules disputes for hours at a time. Thanks all!

 

[Kraedin]

A really low-cost way to "fake" minatures is the use of graph paper and pencils. My group has been using that for about 2 years, and it's worked fine.

If you don't want to even do that, it shouldn't present to big of a problem. I know several people on these boards run a 3e game without minatures and still handle AoOs just fine.

 

[hong]

Three really simple ways to handle AoOs:

- move around next to somebody, they get to hit you.

- do something silly next to somebody (like cast a spell), they get to hit you.

- try to close with someone with a reach weapon, they get to hit you.

 

[Darkness]

- try to close with someone with a reach weapon, they get to hit you.

This one could be interpreted the wrong way quite easily, if one is willing to suspend logical thinking for a second.

 

[demon_jr]

our campaign plays this way for "small" encounters.

usually, the PCs and DM both keep track of where their characters and the monsters are at. the DM gives the description of the battle area and then we take it from there. we usually ask questions regarding what we can and can not do depending and if it will result in an AoO etc.

while this is speedy, it sometimes is difficult to use or take advantage of certain abilities and feats, such as combat reflexes or spring attack, in my opinion.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

We played that way in the old 2e campaigns, and it was a real pain. "You are attacked by two orcs." "But I stand way back and the others won't let them through so easily." "Ok, then they attack you instead." "No, I'm not in the room yet!" "Then they attack you"......

 

[hong]

This one could be interpreted the wrong way quite easily, if one is willing to suspend logical thinking for a second.

I'm "hitting on you with my reach weapon" RIGHT NOW [etc]