How does Sleight of Hand work in combat?

[blargney the second]

There's a PC in our group who wants to use Sleight of Hand in combat. How does that work?

 

[Three_Haligonians]

Like normal.. I think.

As in, the character makes a DC 20 Sleight of Hand check and if successful, they get the item.
The target makes the spot check and if it exceeds the character's SoH result, they see them do it.

I think it provokes an AoO. However, the only reason I say this is because I know there is a feat called Cutpurse which lets you make SoH checks without provoking the AoO.

J from Three Haligonians

 

[blargney the second]

Where's the Cutpurse feat from?

 

[Three_Haligonians]

First place I saw it was in Dragon #322 - there is a sidebar in the ecology of the Dark Ones article that lists it. It is also re-listed in the Dragon Compendium Vol I.

It requires Improved Unarmed Strike and 5 ranks in Sleight of Hand.

J from Three Haligonians

 

[Jack Simth]

Like normal.. I think.

As in, the character makes a DC 20 Sleight of Hand check and if successful, they get the item.
The target makes the spot check and if it exceeds the character's SoH result, they see them do it.

I think it provokes an AoO. However, the only reason I say this is because I know there is a feat called Cutpurse which lets you make SoH checks without provoking the AoO.

J from Three Haligonians

Hmm... checking the SRD, the only mention of an AoO is for drawing a concealed weapon (and that there isn't one). Same text in the PHB. And if you can make the DC 20 with a -30 penalty, you can do it as a Free Action against someone who knows you're doing it.

But it isn't mentioned how it interacts with combat at all....

 

[blargney the second]

In the try again section: if you fail and the target is watching you, the DC is raised by 10. I'd probably have that apply in a combat situation when they're wary of you.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Hmm... checking the SRD, the only mention of an AoO is for drawing a concealed weapon (and that there isn't one). Same text in the PHB.

Though on the Table of Action Types, is lists using a skill as a standard action as provoking an AoO "Usually".

Unfortunately, there are some standard actions that say "This provokes", like throwing a grappling hook with Use Rope, and some standard actions that say "This doesn't provoke", like drawing a concealed weapon with Sleight of Hand, and some that don't say either way.

I'm fairly sure I'd consider something like Open Lock (full round action, doesn't say regarding AoO) to provoke. I think by extension, I'd consider Sleight of Hand (apart from drawing a concealed weapon) to fall under the 'usually' clause, and provoke.

-Hyp.

 

[moritheil]

I asked this question previously in this forum, actually. There are not many provisions for using it in combat, but it can be very, very good - especially once you get access to improved invisibility or HiPS.

In the try again section: if you fail and the target is watching you, the DC is raised by 10. I'd probably have that apply in a combat situation when they're wary of you.

To this I would add that if you caught someone flat-footed or otherwise unable to react, that penalty probably should not apply (we're in ad hoc land, here.)

 

[frankthedm]

To this I would add that if you caught someone flat-footed or otherwise unable to react, that penalty probably should not apply (we're in ad hoc land, here.)

Got to disagree there. The target of the skill is normally flat footed. Even when he is watching you, he is still flat footed. Only once he triggers initiative[raises his hand or places his hand on his weapon], gets his initiative result and then acts[striking or drawing the weapon], is he no longer flat footed.

 

[blargney the second]

Sounds good. Thanks for the input, guys!
-blarg