Must iterative attackes be in order?

[0-hr]

Suppose a fighter is 11th level and so has attacks at +11, +6, and +1 (that's a mian attack and two iteratives). When he does a full attack, does he have to to take the attacks in order? Assuming he states his intention before rolling or anything, could he use his +1 attack first?

 

[Drowbane]

They must be in order. Its in the PHB somewhere.

Spoiler

I could look it up for you, but I'm sure you have one yourself. Enjoy.

 

[irdeggman]

They must be in order.

SRD:
SRD

Full Attack
If you get more than one attack per round because your base attack bonus is high enough, because you fight with two weapons or a double weapon or for some special reason you must use a full-round action to get your additional attacks. You do not need to specify the targets of your attacks ahead of time. You can see how the earlier attacks turn out before assigning the later ones.

The only movement you can take during a full attack is a 5-foot step. You may take the step before, after, or between your attacks.

If you get multiple attacks because your base attack bonus is high enough, you must make the attacks in order from highest bonus to lowest. If you are using two weapons, you can strike with either weapon first. If you are using a double weapon, you can strike with either part of the weapon first.

Or PHB pg 143

 

[Hypersmurf]

On the other hand, there's no specification regarding multiple attacks which don't derive from a high base attack bonus. Off-hand attacks, Rapid Shot, Flurry of Blows, Haste, and so forth are all ways to gain multiple attacks which come from sources other than a high base attack bonus... so in theory, your three off-hand attacks from GTWF could be made at +1 then +6 then +11 (or whatever). (Unless one considers that 'gain a second attack' and 'gain a third attack' specify chronology... but it still allows for your highest bonus off-hand attack to occur after your lowest bonus primary attack, and Haste, Rapid Shot, Flurry etc can all appear anywhere in the sequence.)

-Hyp.

 

[Kmart Kommando]

On the other hand, there's no specification regarding multiple attacks which don't derive from a high base attack bonus. Off-hand attacks, Rapid Shot, Flurry of Blows, Haste, and so forth are all ways to gain multiple attacks which come from sources other than a high base attack bonus... so in theory, your three off-hand attacks from GTWF could be made at +1 then +6 then +11 (or whatever). (Unless one considers that 'gain a second attack' and 'gain a third attack' specify chronology... but it still allows for your highest bonus off-hand attack to occur after your lowest bonus primary attack, and Haste, Rapid Shot, Flurry etc can all appear anywhere in the sequence.)

-Hyp.

Great, now everyone is going to be using their lesser offhand attacks to trip targets so their good attacks get +4 to hit.

 

[milo]

As a DM I would let someone take the lower attack bonus first. Every attack after the first would just take a -5 penalty like normal.

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

On the other hand, there's no specification regarding multiple attacks which don't derive from a high base attack bonus. Off-hand attacks, Rapid Shot, Flurry of Blows, Haste, and so forth are all ways to gain multiple attacks which come from sources other than a high base attack bonus... so in theory, your three off-hand attacks from GTWF could be made at +1 then +6 then +11 (or whatever). (Unless one considers that 'gain a second attack' and 'gain a third attack' specify chronology... but it still allows for your highest bonus off-hand attack to occur after your lowest bonus primary attack, and Haste, Rapid Shot, Flurry etc can all appear anywhere in the sequence.)

-Hyp.

Hrm, I coulda sworn that you were supposed to do all attacks highest to lowest, no matter how they came in.

OTOH, I have no proof that I can point to, being at work and SRD-less and bookless.

But it seems logical to me.

Brad

 

[Deset Gled]

On the other hand, there's no specification regarding multiple attacks which don't derive from a high base attack bonus.

The rules also don't state that the order is from highest to lowest base attack bonus, but simply from highest to lowest bonus. It's heavily implied that they're refering to BAB, but not explicit. One could argue that this means a Paladin with 22 Cha would have some problems smiting on any attack but their first. I doubt anyone actually plays it like that, though.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

It's heavily implied that they're refering to BAB, but not explicit. One could argue that this means a Paladin with 22 Cha would have some problems smiting on any attack but their first. I doubt anyone actually plays it like that, though.

... and you'd have to be really careful when flanking ...

 

[Ltheb Silverfrond]

The only time I can think of where using the lowest attacks first would be beneficial is if you fought someone with Mirror Image up. The images have a very low AC, so you could rapidly remove them without wasting your good attacks.