Tripping – do you actually NEED improved trip

[Sidekick]

Tripping – do you actually NEED improved trip

So I was looking through the tripping mechanics today and just realised that if I’m a monk, or anyone else with improved unarmed strike then I’m treated as armed yes?

So does that mean that even without Improved trip I can initiate a trip attack without provoking an AoO?

Sure I’ll only have my str added to the check, and if I fail I can’t exactly ‘drop’ my limb to avoid the reactive trip.

But that’s legal right? Right?

 

[Stalker0]

No, only a tripping weapon doesn't provoke an AOO, a natural weapon or unarmed strike still provokes an AOO.

 

[Joker]

Well, you still provoke an AoO for trying to trip someone, unless you're playing 3.0.

And who said you can't be dis-armed...haha, get it? Get it?

Yeah, I'm sure you got it.

...gotta write that one down...dis-armed...

 

[Infiniti2000]

So I was looking through the tripping mechanics today and just realised that if I’m a monk, or anyone else with improved unarmed strike then I’m treated as armed yes?

Yes, because IUS only says "unarmed."

Sure I’ll only have my str added to the check, and if I fail I can’t exactly ‘drop’ my limb to avoid the reactive trip.

You'll lose the +4 and the follow-up attack, both very significant.

 

[Artoomis]

It's always best to quote the rules before talking about them :

Making a Trip Attack
Make an unarmed melee touch attack against your target. This provokes an attack of opportunity from your target as normal for unarmed attacks.
...
Avoiding Attacks of Opportunity
If you have the Improved Trip feat, or if you are tripping with a weapon (see below), you don’t provoke an attack of opportunity for making a trip attack.

Improved Unarmed Strike [General]
Benefit
You are considered to be armed even when unarmed —that is, you do not provoke attacks or opportunity from armed opponents when you attack them while unarmed

This is any easy one.

A monk (or anyone with IUS) does not provoke an AoO for tripping.

 

[Felix]

This is any easy one.

Easier even than that...

Making a Trip Attack
...
Avoiding Attacks of Opportunity
If you have the Improved Trip feat ... you don’t provoke an attack of opportunity for making a trip attack.

 

[TYPO5478]

So does that mean that even without Improved trip I can initiate a trip attack without provoking an AoO?

If you have Improved Unarmed Strike, yes.

Note: that is true for any character class, not just monks.

 

[pawsplay]

If you have Improved Unarmed Strike, yes.

Note: that is true for any character class, not just monks.

Or even if you don't, if you have Improved Trip.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Easier even than that...

Or even if you don't, if you have Improved Trip.

Did either of you notice that the OP said "without Improved Trip?"

 

[mcgeedis]

What about using spiked chain? How do you provoke an AoO when using a weapon with reach? (unless they also have reach, of course)