AoO, the archers bane....

[Tesh]

So, quick question, there is no way to avoid a AoO when using a bow in melee?

I know that Mobility gives me extra AC against them. My understanding of Spring Attack is that it only negate AoOs when moving, so it's pretty much useless except that I can run away without giving an AoO...

Just asking as I'm considering future feats, Called Shot vs Weapon Finesse, both of which are rather tempting....

[loki70]

So, quick question, there is no way to avoid a AoO when using a bow in melee?

I know that Mobility gives me extra AC against them. My understanding of Spring Attack is that it only negate AoOs when moving, so it's pretty much useless except that I can run away without giving an AoO...

Just asking as I'm considering future feats, Called Shot vs Weapon Finesse, both of which are rather tempting....

Point Blank Shot should get rid of that.

[Raine Jueness]

Point Blank Shot should get rid of that.

Nope.

[loki70]

Point Blank Shot should get rid of that.

Nope.

Okay, I stand corrected.

[solitude_peace2]

Perhaps a dagger?

[Gorgon]

http://nwn.wikia.com/wiki/Attack_of_opportunity

One way spellcasters avoid taking them is to carry a ranged weapon, since AoOs are only taken for melee weapons.

According to this bows don't get them. I don't recall ever getting one with a bow.

*edits* Nevermind. I should read the whole thing. Maybe tumble helps? That might be why.

[Darkfire]

I think they mean how do I avoid getting attacks of opportunities against me as an archer. ie: I want to shoot things without people getting AoO's on my face.

There's no way for an Archer to avoid them, just defend better against them (with the mentioned feats)

[Gorgon]

Spent a good long time with an area full of critters trying to kill me and not a single AoO try while standing still and using a bow with them mobbing me. The second I moved all the tumble checks came in to prevent them, but not before moving. I can't see how standing still and firing a bow provokes an AoO like the wiki says so far.

[Darkfire]

Happens to me each time I've tried it.

[Gorgon]

More testing with mobs and I can't get AoO's to happen standing still while drinking potions, reading scrolls or whatever else I try (or what weapons I use, even no damage ones made just for this test). I made sure to count the attacks they were tossing at me each round and see if any extras were getting in too. Weird.

I guess Smeec is special...you know ~speshul~

[Talwin Hawkins]

Tumble of 14 will negate the AOOs when moving so that will help.

[Gorgon]

Yeah, the second I move I see all the checks, but no extra attacks at full ab (or anything else) while standing still and chugging a billion potions or casting spells. Like I said, weird.

[Talwin Hawkins]

From the NWN Wiki.

Taking an AoO will cancel other actions, such as casting a spell. One way spellcasters avoid taking them is to carry a ranged weapon, since AoOs are only taken for melee weapons.

Some casters may find it beneficial to take the dodge, mobility, and spring attack feats in order to protect them from attacks of opportunity while they are positioning themselves in combat.

[Arond]

Bring lots of friends and hide behind them while shooting

[Jonezie]

Bring lots of friends and hide behind them while shooting

And if all else fails, pack a mace.

[Anomandari]

Bring lots of friends...

..."meatshield" is the word, no? I've yet to face a problem a sufficient amount of cannon fodder couldn't fix.

[Maximus Caesar]

Since NWN is loosely based off of DnD 3.0, the only way that you would remove the nasty hassle of AoO while using a bow would be with an epic feat called Combat Archery. Here's the information of this feat according to the Epic Levels Handbook:

Combat Archery [Epic]
Prerequisites: Dodge, Mobility, Point Blank Shot.
Benefit: You do not incur any attacks of opportunity for firing a bow when threatened.
Normal: Without this feat, you incur an attack of opportunity from all opponents who threaten you whenever you use a bow.

I'm not sure if NWN even has a feat like this, but they should. It's one that Arcane Archers can choose as a bonus epic feat. This is the only way to permanently remove yourself from getting AoO while using a bow. Other methods include spells, but I'm not sure if NWN has those spells or not. As for anyone else NOT incurring the AoO, it must be a bug of some sort, especially if you aren't getting them from drinking potions, reading scrolls, etc.

[Tesh]

Yeah Darkfirfe has the thrust of my question.

So from what I understand the only way to avoid AoOs as an archer at melee range is to:
a) Run and have a good tumble or Spring Attack.
or
b) Switch to a melee weapon.

Of course the meatsheild option is allways prefered

Maximus, that feat looks like exactly what I'd like, but it'll never happen given that AoO etc are inside the black box that custom content can't touch and Bioware won't be releasing any new feats or add ons now...

Thanks guys

[Vice Fury]

Called-Shot Leg and kite it. You wouldn't be able to handle too many mobs, but it looks cool when you can pull it off

[Moredo]

Bring lots of friends and hide behind them while shooting

And if all else fails, pack a mace.

Words to live by!

[Zar'roc]

well, this is for the casters, but there is a feat called Improved Combat Casting, that doesn't incur AoO against mages. so if you have that and ur a caster, your good to go. i've got it, and I love it.

[Xiaou]

I hear a dirty rumor that high tumble stops this, around 27 ranks or so. Can anyone confirm?

[Daemona]

I hear a dirty rumor that high tumble stops this, around 27 ranks or so. Can anyone confirm?

I can’t say if that is the magic number but one of my characters has over 40 tumble and never gets an AoO with a bow. Of course though she also has spring attack.

[Ringwraith]

As long as they (Bioware) coded it right, Mobility, Spring Attack and Tumble should only work against AoOs incurred while moving.
Still makes them handy for running out of melee range unmolested.
Packing some expeditious retreat or haste doesn't hurt either.