Readying attack against spellcasters

[zyzzyr]

This has probably been addressed, but ...

If I ready an attack "if he casts a spell", and he does cast a spell, do I also get an AoO since he's casting a spell (thus giving me two attacks)?

Also, is it reasonable to be able to ready an action on two conditions? Eg. "starts casting a spell or moves".

Thanks,

zyzzyr

 

[Xarlen]

You do not get an extra turn.

Reading an action is basicly waiting your turn, to do something when certain conditions are met. 'I want to wait until the door opens, then run'.

Have you seen Braveheart? Where the Scots are waiting until the horsemen move close enough before they bring up the spears? That's readying an action, to set a polearm against a charge.

 

[Magus_Jerel]

If I ready an attack "if he casts a spell", and he does cast a spell, do I also get an AoO since he's casting a spell (thus giving me two attacks)?

Also, is it reasonable to be able to ready an action on two conditions? Eg. "starts casting a spell or moves".

1. If you also meet the condition for an AoO (being within melee range) yes. AoO's do NOT occur as a consequence of any action you take - only the action of your opponent. There is no "turn" involved at all.

2. depends on what the GM would define as reasonable.


I would allow it if you used the:

Whenever Person X attempts his action - I will do this

trigger. It is specific against an individual, as oppposed to "whenever an enemy tries to cast a spell"

 

[zyzzyr]

You do not get an extra turn.

Reading an action is basicly waiting your turn, to do something when certain conditions are met. 'I want to wait until the door opens, then run'.

Have you seen Braveheart? Where the Scots are waiting until the horsemen move close enough before they bring up the spears? That's readying an action, to set a polearm against a charge.

Thanks for the feedback. However, I was referring more to an AoO + attack versus a single attack and losing the AoO. "Casting a spell" provokes an AoO if you are in a threatened square. If I ready an attack "if he casts a spell", then the minute he starts casting, I attack. But apparently, as pointed out by Magus_Jerel , and which I thought to be the case (but it just seems counterintuitive), you would still get the AoO since nothing is preventing that.

It just seems a little odd to me. "I ready an attack if he casts a spell". He casts a spell. I attack. But since he's casting a spell, I get an AoO. So I end up with 2 attacks, both based on the same enemy action.

Weird.

As to 2), I agree, I'm just trying to determine what is "reasonable". I'm the DM

I keep thinking that I can change my mind in a split second. If I ready it versus him casting a spell, and I only specify at the time "when he's casting", realistically speaking I can change that if I see him start to run. Tough call I guess.

zyzzyr

 

[kreynolds]

It just seems a little odd to me. "I ready an attack if he casts a spell". He casts a spell. I attack. But since he's casting a spell, I get an AoO. So I end up with 2 attacks, both based on the same enemy action.

Weird.

It's not weird at all if you are a ranged attacker with a longbow. You don't threaten an area with a ranged weapon, so even if the wizard were standing right next to you, you wouldn't be able to take an AoO if he casts a spell. However, you can ready an attack with a ranged weapon with the trigger "If that wizard starts casting, I'll shoot an arrow at him." Now, when the wizard casts, you get to fire an arrow from 100 feet away to interrupt his casting.

 

[Xarlen]

Why would you ready an action, if you can get one in melee?

Reading an action to smack him is for if you're not in melee range. Like.. 'When he casts, I'm going to run up (5' step) and hit him' or, 'When he casts, I'll shoot him with my bow'.

If you're within 5', then he'll take a five foot step and cast, so you don't get an AoO. If he's casting while you can get an AoO, he's dumb.

 

[Negative Zero]

...I keep thinking that I can change my mind in a split second. If I ready it versus him casting a spell, and I only specify at the time "when he's casting", realistically speaking I can change that if I see him start to run. Tough call I guess. ...

***house rule warning***
in one of my games, the DM allows a will save to change a readied action. e.g. "i'm shooting the first guy thru that door" the first guy turns out to be a friend and i don't want to take the shot. will save to change the action. maybe your GM might allow that.

as for the readying vs a caster, i find it a lot more usefull to ready an attack if the person moves at all, as most spells have somatic components. works great if you're in missile or melee range.

~NegZ

 

[hong]

This has probably been addressed, but ...

If I ready an attack "if he casts a spell", and he does cast a spell, do I also get an AoO since he's casting a spell (thus giving me two attacks)?

No; this has been addressed by the Sage. From the D&D FAQ, p. 33:

Is it possible to ready an action as follows: If the wizard casts a spell, I attack him; if he leaves, I follow. Or is that condition not specific enough?

It's actually over specific, because you're really specifying two different conditions and two different actions here. The ready action allows you to specify one partial action and the condition under which you will perform the action. You could simply ready an attack on the wizard whenever he casts a spell, and this would allow you to do any number of things, including attack, take a 5-foot step and attack, or even make a partial charge and attack. In such a case, you would not get an attack of opportunity on the wizard when he cast the spell, but you would force a Concentration check if you damage the wizard.

Also, is it reasonable to be able to ready an action on two conditions? Eg. "starts casting a spell or moves".

No; see above. However, you could use the trigger "starts casting a spell" and then as long as they cast a spell anywhere within your movement range, you could use a partial charge to attack them.

 

[Gromm]

Why would you ready an action, if you can get one in melee?

Reading an action to smack him is for if you're not in melee range. Like.. 'When he casts, I'm going to run up (5' step) and hit him' or, 'When he casts, I'll shoot him with my bow'.

If you're within 5', then he'll take a five foot step and cast, so you don't get an AoO. If he's casting while you can get an AoO, he's dumb.

Exactly, if you had a full round next to a spell caster you mean to tell me you'd wait till he tried to cast a spell and not smack him right then? It happens occasionally, but mostly its for archers and fighters who want to counter the infamous 5' step-cast that mages use.

You're not really getting any more attacks since you're waiting on your original attack you could have taken. In fact if your a 6+ lvl fighting class, you actually losing attacks.

 

[Negative Zero]

...In fact if your a 6+ lvl fighting class, you actually losing attacks.

indeed, but for one round only. thereafter, you'll be going in the same initiative as the poor caster, and all of your damage will count towards his concentration check. also there's always the option of just voluntarily lowering your initiative to go in his ... right?

~NegZ