Tripping

[Question]

Im confused, can you only make one trip attempt per round?

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

You can make a trip attempt in place of any attack to which you are otherwise entitled.

Thus, at a BAB of +1, you can make one trip attempt per round, because you only get one attack per round. However, if you dual-wield two trip weapons, you can make two trip attempts per round, because now you can make two attacks per round.

 

[Ambrus]

You can even perform them as Attacks of Oppurtunity if you like.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Thus, at a BAB of +1, you can make one trip attempt per round, because you only get one attack per round. However, if you dual-wield two trip weapons, you can make two trip attempts per round, because now you can make two attacks per round.

Now, if you wield two non-trip weapons, can you make two unarmed melee touch attacks to trip, provoking AoOs with both?

-Hyp.

 

[Question]

Let us say i trip someone with improved trip. I immediately make an attack against him. I have a BAB of +20, can i then use 3 other attacks on the now prone target?

Thats evil

 

[Ambrus]

Let us say i trip someone with improved trip. I immediately make an attack against him. I have a BAB of +20, can i then use 3 other attacks on the now prone target?

Yes. Keep in mind though that if he provokes an attack of opportunity by standing that you can't use that AoO to trip him and keep him on the ground. It's a common mistake, but the reason is that the AoO occurs before the action that triggers it, so in essence the target is still prone and you can't trip a prone character. Once he's back on his feet though you can use your next attack(s) to try tripping him again.

Thats evil

If you're battling someone with the intent of killing them, the fairness of the tactic doesn't really matter much. Some may call it dishonorable, but others would call giving your opponent a fair chance to kill you first rather stupid. If your intent isn't to kill, then trip your opponent and follow up with non-lethal attacks (the +4 to hit prone opponents cancels out nicely the -4 penalty to use a weapon in a non-lethal attack). Voila! Good alignment preserved.

 

[Hussar]

I would also point out that there is a fair chance of failure in tripping and you wind up on your butt - meaning that hill giant is now going to play T-ball with your skull.

 

[Ambrus]

Now, if you wield two non-trip weapons, can you make two unarmed melee touch attacks to trip, provoking AoOs with both?

I don't believe so, unless you drop the two weapons first as a free action. One can't make unarmed melee attacks while holding two weapons; the exception being the monk who can always make unarmed attacks regardless of what he's holding.

 

[frankthedm]

I would also point out that there is a fair chance of failure in tripping and you wind up on your butt - meaning that hill giant is now going to play T-ball with your skull.

Yep! Your BAB helps you ONLY with that touch attack. The opposed roll to see if the target falls or gets the chance to trip you is determined on STR or DEX along with size.

 

[KarinsDad]

I would also point out that there is a fair chance of failure in tripping and you wind up on your butt - meaning that hill giant is now going to play T-ball with your skull.

Tripping is a choice though. Most players will not try to trip an opponent who they think has a better than 50/50 chance to win. In fact, most players who like to trip take Improved Trip in order to up their odds even more. So, very few players would attempt to trip a hill giant and those who try it would tend to do it with a weapon they can drop if the counter trip attempt is successful (e.g. some type of flail).

Yep! Your BAB helps you ONLY with that touch attack. The opposed roll to see if the target falls or gets the chance to trip you is determined on STR or DEX along with size.

Which is why Improved Trip is so nasty when combined with Power Attack. Higher level characters can shift a third of their to hit to Power Attack, still easily make the touch attack to trip, not get penalized on the opposed roll (since the Power Attack penalty only modifies the touch attack roll), and then if the trip is successful, they will often hit with the extra Improved Trip attack and the extra attacks for the round due to BAB because of the Prone bonus. This can get very nasty very quick.