What's so bad about AoO's?

[Hedgemage]

I've seen several posts where people mention how much they hate AoO's or find them confusing.

I don't get it. They run smoothly in the game I run in. Why do some people have such a problem with them?

 

[PenguinKing]

Because a lot of people get hung up on the wording of the rules, without realizing that the guidelines for provoking AoOs basically come down to "common sense", codified in print for the benefit of the rules-lawyers.

- Sir Bob.

 

[Tonguez]

Because there an additional rule to complicate the smooth flow of heroic battle and tracking just what is an AOO and what isn't is a pain.

I don't use the official rules but rely on common sense - if you run into/pass your opponent it whacks you.

 

[333 Dave]

Because you incur an AoO if you move 30ft and then attack someone else, but not if you move 30ft and do nothing.

 

[Tyrion]

I think many people have problems with the implementation of the AoO rules, rather than the concept.

For example, look at the number of special cases where you don't get AoOs:

1. Your only movement is a 5-foot step.
2. You double move...this only prevents an AoO from leaving the square you started on.
3. An enemy has already used up its AoO...unless it has Combat Reflexes. However, it still can't hit the same creature twice.

...and so on.

Still, most people seem to eventually get used to them. I personally enjoy the extra level of strategy they add to combat.

 

[WSmith]

Yes, it was the way it was written in the PHB, not the rule itself.

Everyone should read the entry in the WOT RPG book on AoO. It explains the same concept, but makes much more sense. It also named the movement option as disengage, which in itself clears up alot.

333 Dave said:

Because you incur an AoO if you move 30ft and then attack someone else, but not if you move 30ft and do nothing.

This was my biggest gripe about AoO, one the "disengage"option has taken care of. (still I would keep it to move rate not double move rate, meaning 30' for human.)

 

[PenguinKing]

If the "only move" thing bugs you, just try this:

"Withdraw: You back carefully away from a foe with which you are engaged in melee, to the limit of your Speed. When withdrawing, the five-foot square on which you start does not 'count' as threatened for purposes of provoking AoOs. Withdrawing is a standard action."

EDIT: Apparently the "Disengage" action from WoT does the same thing - I haven't read WoT, so I wouldn't know.

- Sir Bob.

 

[Crothian]

Well, we've yet to have any problems with AoO. I keep hearing people on these boards that do. So, to answer the topic quetion: Nothing.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

I also think it has a lot to do with people refusing to use minis or tokens or whatever to figure them out. They're much easier with actual physical representations of what is going on to look at.

 

[Dieter]

I think the main problem is that the majority of players are ignorant (uninformed) of what actually constitutes an AaO. I believe it's the DM's job to keep up with the rules and remind players when they trigger an AoO unintentionally.

You can't expect EVERYONE to know ALL the rules...that's why you have a DM.