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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Zhure" data-source="post: 48215" data-attributes="member: 308">Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: OK, I really don't want to sound "ranty" here.It was after the release of S&F, as there was a question of whether a Duelist could dual wield with his unarmed attack and still gain a Canny Defense. Since canny defense requires the off-hand to be empty, the prerequisite of Ambidexterity isn't totally useless (since most often acquired with a level of Ranger, thus granting TWF as part of the package).The concensus of the majority of the posters was it still provoked an AoO as the unarmed attack of someone without IUS, a held spell, or a natural claw or fang provokes an AoO, as has been mentioned several times. PHB, Page 140 spells it out quite clearly which conditions are necessary to avoid an AoO with an unarmed strike.The additional consensus at the time was IUS was necessary for that particular Duelist trick. A logical extrapolation means it applies to everyone who wants to fight unarmed as their offhand "weapon."While that thread is long gone and we can't resurrect it, examining the current opinions expressed in this thread, it again indicates the same thing.Based on your posts on the subject, I can only assume you'll only be satisfied with the Sage's ruling. I wasn't able to locate a specific quote about unarmed attacks germane to this that isn't already covered in what we've mentioned.It boils down to this: Because you are carrying a weapon in one hand, it doesn't mean your unarmed offhand acquires the cachet of being a threatening attack. You can't perform an AoO with it (save a Trip); you can't strike with it without opening yourself to an AoO for the same reason no one else can who lacks the requisite Feat or conditionals (touch-based spell, claws, etc).Let's take a similar idea and compare them. Normally, attacking with a touch-based spell doesn't provoke an AoO. But here's what the FAQ says about that:"Can a monk or other character use an unarmed strike to deliver a spell with touch range?If so,how do you resolve the attack? Yes,you can use an unarmed strike to deliver a touch spell.Since casting a spell is a standard action,you usually have to wait until your next turn to make the unarmed attack.Resolve the unarmed attack exactly the same way you resolve any other unarmed strike.The attacker has to beat the defender ’s Armor Class with all adjustments,including armor and shield,added in (the attacker is trying to land a damaging blow, not just touch the opponent).If the attacker doesn ’t have the Improved Unarmed Strike feat,the attack draws an attack of opportunity (striking for damage exposes the attacker to more risk than merely touching the opponent to deliver a spell).If the attack is a hit,the attacker dealsunarmed damage and discharges the spell.If the attack is a miss,the attacker is still holding the charge."Note the similarity. In the FAQ example, the user has a touch-based spell and tries to use a strike to deliver it. Normally that would mean no AoO but since he lacks IUS, he provokes an AoO.Similarly, the unarmed off-hand user is "armed" in one hand and attacks he delivers won't create an AoO, but as soon as he uses an unarmed attack, he will create an AoO situation.I hope that's sufficient evidence, when added to the rest of the pertinent quotes in others' posts.Hope that helps,Greg</blockquote>

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