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<blockquote data-quote="ZSutherland" data-source="post: 373860" data-attributes="member: 7638">I think the difference is in the reasoning that unarmed attacks provoke AoO's but melee touch attacks do not.&nbsp; If you're armed and armored and an opponent w/o Improved Unarm Strike (which effectively means he/she isn't trained to attack w/o weapons) throws a punch at you, it's probably just a haymaker, sort of a wild punch stemming from lack of training.&nbsp; It's not really much of a threat, and it's an easy Opportunity to toss out a quick attack against him/her.&nbsp; If they are trained (have Improved Unarmed Strike) it's probably a bit clearer that they know what they're doing.&nbsp; You'll view them as a more credible threat, and spend more of your attention on self-defense.&nbsp; The same applies for melee touch attacks.&nbsp; If the guy across the way in robes was chanting and praying and then suddenly just tries to lightly touch you, you're suddenly concerned for your continued well being (see Harm), so again, you're more defensive.1d3 subdual's not much of a problem for most people.&nbsp; Being prone in the middle of combat, however is.&nbsp; Any attack that might put you there (and someone trying to sweep your legs out from under you or unbalance you is fairly obvious) is something you're likely to view as a credible threat, and therefore stay somewhat defensive.&nbsp; However, if they fail their attempt, they're probably off balance, either because they're crouched with one leg out or their failed attempt to knock you over left them over-extended, so you now get the chance to use that to your advantage and put them on the ground.Hope that helps.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="ZSutherland, post: 373860, member: 7638"] I think the difference is in the reasoning that unarmed attacks provoke AoO's but melee touch attacks do not. If you're armed and armored and an opponent w/o Improved Unarm Strike (which effectively means he/she isn't trained to attack w/o weapons) throws a punch at you, it's probably just a haymaker, sort of a wild punch stemming from lack of training. It's not really much of a threat, and it's an easy Opportunity to toss out a quick attack against him/her. If they are trained (have Improved Unarmed Strike) it's probably a bit clearer that they know what they're doing. You'll view them as a more credible threat, and spend more of your attention on self-defense. The same applies for melee touch attacks. If the guy across the way in robes was chanting and praying and then suddenly just tries to lightly touch you, you're suddenly concerned for your continued well being (see Harm), so again, you're more defensive. 1d3 subdual's not much of a problem for most people. Being prone in the middle of combat, however is. Any attack that might put you there (and someone trying to sweep your legs out from under you or unbalance you is fairly obvious) is something you're likely to view as a credible threat, and therefore stay somewhat defensive. However, if they fail their attempt, they're probably off balance, either because they're crouched with one leg out or their failed attempt to knock you over left them over-extended, so you now get the chance to use that to your advantage and put them on the ground. Hope that helps. [/QUOTE]

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