Tumbling

OldAzzDM

First Post
If someone gets knocked down and loses there weapon. Can they combine tumble (as a move) to avoid the AoO for getting up, with total defencive (to avoid the +4 for prone) to retrieve the the weapon.
 

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OldAzzDM said:
If someone gets knocked down and loses there weapon. Can they combine tumble (as a move) to avoid the AoO for getting up, with total defencive (to avoid the +4 for prone) to retrieve the the weapon.

Well, standing up is a move action, retrieving your weapon is a move action, and total defense is a standard action, so you can't do all three in one round anyway.

And you tumble as part of 'normal movement' to avoid AoOs. Standing from prone is a move action, but it's not 'normal movement' (ie moving up to your speed as a move action), so Tumble doesn't apply.

-Hyp.
 

Round #1
In the move to get to the weapon he can use tumble as part of the move. Along with total defensive in order to get to his weapon with out an AoO.
Round #2
Then in the next round retreive the weapon (move action). Along with total Defensive(standard action).
Round #3
Stand up (move action). Still using total defence(standard action).
Round # 4
Full Attack......"about time" without useing total defence
 

OldAzzDM said:
Round #1
In the move to get to the weapon he can use tumble as part of the move. Along with total defensive in order to get to his weapon with out an AoO.

Well, if he's dropped his weapon, it should already be in his square, so he doesn't need to go anywhere.

If for some reason it isn't in his square, he still has a problem - if he's prone, he can't use 'normal movement', he has to crawl five feet as a Move action that provokes an AoO, so again no Tumble.

Crawling: You can crawl 5 feet as a move action. Crawling incurs attacks of opportunity from any attackers who threaten you at any point of your crawl.

Round #2
Then in the next round retreive the weapon (move action). Along with total Defensive(standard action).

Right. But picking up an item provokes an AoO.

Round #3
Stand up (move action). Still using total defence(standard action).

Yup. But standing up provokes an AoO.

-Hyp.
 

Question is whether or not your DM allows you to Tumble while prone. Normally crawling 5 feet is a move equivalent in itself, so standing up first is probably the best idea.
According to the Complete Adventurer, you can try a Tumble skill check DC 35 to stand up as a free action so if that option is available and practical, take it.
Other than that the sequence you describe is probably your best bet.
 



Hyp's right. There are some optional rules from 3.0 books where movement and tumble rules were different. But from the core books, there is no tumbing while crawiling or tumble checks to stand up witout the attack of opportunity. Even the one above makes it a free action but does not eliminate the attack of opportunity.

For suggestions in this situation, you can pick up your weapon from prone (take the attack of opportunity) and then go on total defensive from prone, or just stand up and take another attack of opportunity. It would depend on how important your dex bonus is, and the guy who knocked you down having combat reflexes and high probability of knocking you down again.

I believe when facing someone with combat reflexes and improved trip, you are pretty much screwed.
 

OldAzzDM said:
The use of total defence that no one addressed can still apply to all the above.

But Total Defense doesn't make you immune to AoO's. It just gives you a +4 AC. So the use of Total Defense doesn't need to be addressed here, other than to say that you'll be harder to hit when you provoke those AoO's for retrieving an item and standing up.
 


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