Attack Of Opportunity

Main > Combat > Reactions > Attack Of Opportunity

Sometimes a combatant in a melee lets her guard down or takes a reckless action. In this case, combatants near her can take advantage of her lapse in defense to attack her as a reaction. You can only make an attack of opportunity with a weapon or natural attack.

Triggering an Attack of Opportunity

Two kinds of actions can trigger attacks of opportunity: moving out of a threatened square and performing certain actions within a threatened square.

Moving

Moving out of a threatened square usually provokes attacks of opportunity from threatening opponents. There are two common methods of avoiding such an attack—the 5-foot step and the withdraw action.

Performing a Distracting Act

Some actions, when performed in a threatened square, provoke attacks of opportunity as you divert your attention from the battle. Table: Actions in Combat notes many of the actions that provoke attacks of opportunity.

Remember that even actions that normally provoke attacks of opportunity may have exceptions to this rule.

Making an Attack of Opportunity

An attack of opportunity is a single melee attack. You make your attack of opportunity at your normal attack bonus, even if you’ve already attacked in the round.