Improved Trip 'Question.

[Ysgarran]

Improved Trip allows you to make a trip attack while unarmed and not draw an attack of opportunity.

Would this feat allow you to threaten the squares around you while unarmed? For example, if an archer had the improved trip feat and someone tried to move past him, would that archer get to try to trip that opponent?

What if that archer had spiked gauntlets? The archer now threatens the squares around him with a weapo. Would that change the answer to the first question?

thanks,
Ysgarran.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

Improved Trip allows you to make a trip attack while unarmed and not draw an attack of opportunity

Hm.

An unarmed man without the Improved Unarmed Strike but with the Improved Trip feat trips an opponent. He may now make a single attack against that opponent. IMO, he should draw an AoO from doing so.

Would this feat allow you to threaten the squares around you while unarmed? For example, if an archer had the improved trip feat and someone tried to move past him, would that archer get to try to trip that opponent?

No. "Does not draw an AoO while making a Trip attempt" =/= "Threaten". IF you threaten (for real, ie armed, Improved Unarmed Strike, natural attacks, etc.) you may make an AoO. Instead of that AoO, you may make a trip attempt.

What if that archer had spiked gauntlets? The archer now threatens the squares around him with a weapo. Would that change the answer to the first question?

If the archer didn't use his bow last round, yes, he may be threatening. It has been clarified (much to my dismay ) that an archer with spiked gauntlets may not switch from "bow-mode" to "gauntlet-mode" at the end of his turn.

AR

 

[Devilkiller]

I think Altamont has it right from a rules perspective, but personally I'd let somebody with Improved Trip but no weapons try to trip an enemy as he runs by just because it seems like a fun option.

 

[Ysgarran]

If I had unarmed Strike...never enough feats.

later,
Ysgarran.

 

[Nail]

....I'd let somebody with Improved Trip but no weapons try to trip an enemy as he runs by just because it seems like a fun option.

Fun? In 3.5e, Trip ain't "fun"...it's deadly. AoO-city.

 

[RigaMortus]

Can't you threaten an opponent with a bow? Wouldn't it be considered an "improvised weapon" for these purposes? I don't see why you couldn't try and thwack someone with the bow (as a melee weapon) if they try and pass by you. There are rules to use arrows as melee weapons, why not a bow?

 

[Nail]

Can't you threaten an opponent with a bow? Wouldn't it be considered an "improvised weapon" for these purposes?

You could, as long as you didn't use it during the same round as a missile weapon. Although, thinking about it, I'd guess that a bow used as a club would do exactly zero damage. It's too light.

 

[RigaMortus]

You could, as long as you didn't use it during the same round as a missile weapon.

Where did you get this "rule" from? What difference does it make if I just fired my bow right before someone crosses my path? What if I had an arrow in my hand ready to knock for next round, and use that arrow to "threaten" the area? What if I had Improved Unarmed Strike? If I fire my bow, can I not make an AoO if I had Improved Unarmed Strike and fired my bow?

Edit - There are rules for figuring out damage of "improvised weapons" or weapons that are used in a manner they aren't normally meant for. And even if it was zero damage, you'd still apply Strength damage...

 

[Hypersmurf]

If the archer didn't use his bow last round, yes, he may be threatening. It has been clarified (much to my dismay ) that an archer with spiked gauntlets may not switch from "bow-mode" to "gauntlet-mode" at the end of his turn.

"Clarified" where?

That contradicts Gruntharg's Law from the 3E Main FAQ...

-Hyp.