Must iterative attackes be in order?

[udalrich]

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.

It's also useful if you're intending to make a special attack. At 16+ level, your fourth attack probably won't get through your opponent's armor. So it doesn't cost much to make that attack a trip attempt, especially if you don't provoke an AoO. If you succeed at a trip, you now get +4 on your attacks that are likely to get through the armor. And since the trip is a touch attack, you've got a much better chance of succeeding with it.

 

[Kmart Kommando]

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.

Doesn't count. It says highest to lowest attack bonus, not highest to lowest bonus.

Your attack bonus with a melee weapon is:
Base attack bonus + Strength modifier + size modifier
With a ranged weapon, your attack bonus is:
Base attack bonus + Dexterity modifier + size modifier + range penalty

Flanking, Smite, Bard's Song, etc are not in that list of what 'your attack bonus' is referring to.
Looks like only the archer has anything to worry about, if they choose a target 3 or more range increments away before shooting at the closer target (because the -6 range penalty would put it below their second iterative attack, for those who suck at math).

hmm, weird..

 

[Rvdvelden]

Doesn't count. It says highest to lowest attack bonus, not highest to lowest bonus.

Flanking, Smite, Bard's Song, etc are not in that list of what 'your attack bonus' is referring to.
Looks like only the archer has anything to worry about, if they choose a target 3 or more range increments away before shooting at the closer target (because the -6 range penalty would put it below their second iterative attack, for those who suck at math).

hmm, weird..

What about a wizard that has readied an action to cast Enlarge Person on a fighter right after his first attack? Could the size bonus screw this one up as well? :\

 

[Hypersmurf]

What about a wizard that has readied an action to cast Enlarge Person on a fighter right after his first attack?

Enlarge Person has a 1 round casting time, requiring a full round action; it cannot be readied.

-Hyp.