Spell with Touch Attack question

[TracerBullet42]

Does a spell that is a touch attack (such as vampiric touch) provoke an attack of opportunity when used?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Li Shenron]

Casting the spell provokes AoO. Attacking itself does not.

A summary of what you can do:

1) cast & attack together as a single standard action -> AoO

2) cast -> AoO but not attack (hold the charge); later with another attack action you deliver the charge -> no AoO, and this is also what you do if your previous attacks missed and you are still holding the charge

3) cast + move + attack: this was a special option (I think from the 3.0 FAQ) for touch spells ONLY, if you do all the above in the same round - and you have used up all your round - so that casting provokes AoO but attacking does not, leaving the possibility of casting outside the threatened area and immediately approach and attack

edit: don't get confused if you are playing PCG "Temple of Elemental Evil", which for game's sake overruled that touch spells don't provoke AoOs

 

[UltimaGabe]

You can always just try to Combat Cast the spell, which will give you a good chance of not provoking an attack of opportunity (unless your Concentration skill sucks, that is- in which case you deserve to provoke an attack of opportunity). But if you don't want to chance it, and your opponent is 10 feet away from you, then you can easily just cast the spell where you're standing, move, and touch your target. that's all possible in one round.

Two more questions arise, though. If you Combat Cast a Ray of Enfeeblement, and then use it against the opponent directly in front of you, does he get an attack of opportunity from you using a ranged attack in his Threatened Area? And can you hold the charge on ranged touch spells? I mean, could you cast a Ray of Enfeeblement, but hold it in your hand until your next turn like you can with normal touch spells?

 

[Ottergame]

A touch attack with a spell is considered an armed attack.

 

[TracerBullet42]

A touch attack with a spell is considered an armed attack.

Is this in the rules? Page number perhaps? Thanks!

And thanks, all, for the clarification. But I'd like to be able to point it out in a book, if possible. Thanks again!

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

Touch Spells in Combat: Many spells have a range of touch. To use these spells, you cast the spell and then touch the subject, either in the same round or any time later. In the same round that you cast the spell, you may also touch (or attempt to touch) the target. You may take your move before casting the spell, after touching the target, or between casting the spell and touching the target. You can automatically touch one friend or use the spell on yourself, but to touch an opponent, you must succeed on an attack roll.
Touch Attacks: Touching an opponent with a touch spell is considered to be an armed attack and therefore does not provoke attacks of opportunity. However, the act of casting a spell does provoke an attack of opportunity. Touch attacks come in two types: melee touch attacks and ranged touch attacks. You can score critical hits with either type of attack. Your opponent’s AC against a touch attack does not include any armor bonus, shield bonus, or natural armor bonus. His size modifier, Dexterity modifier, and deflection bonus (if any) all apply normally.

There ya go.

AR

 

[Ottergame]

Is this in the rules? Page number perhaps? Thanks!

And thanks, all, for the clarification. But I'd like to be able to point it out in a book, if possible. Thanks again!

In the PHB, it's on pages 140-141, Touch Spells in Combat.

 

[TracerBullet42]

Thanks guys...

More proof that the people of EnWorld do, indeed, rock...