[CONAN] Don't let the sword hit you om yhe way out.

[Mach5RR]

It seems to me that AoOs should be given as foes ENTER the threatened space of a character, not the other way around.

If I'm fighting Mike Tyson, I think it would be hard to even approach him and begin the combat. But, if I were already in the combat, it seems a bit easier to retreat and put distance between us.

If the d20 rules allowed for an AoO as someone ENTERS a threatened space, then fighters would dance around each other, just out of melee range, looking for that particular hole in the foe's defenses in which to strike.

Boxers do this. Real life fighters do this. It seems to make a lot of sense and replicate real life.

Just to return to the original question, but there is a solution to S4's question about AoO when entering a space. As others have pointed out, AoO present themselves as you leave a space, but what happens if you want to attack someone entering a space. That is where the Ready Maneuver comes into play. Instead of an AoO, Mike Tyson Readies an action to pop you in the jaw and actually hits you when you waltz up to him (A Ready Maneuver can interrupt an action in progress). He does not get his Ready Maneuver if he didn't see you coming (surprise), or his attention was focused on a previous boxer (spent his current actions attacking/etc).

This is what can make a reach weapon devastating in the hands of a group of guards. Guards can ready their pikes against attackers, get their standard attack when someone enters their threatened space, and get an additional attack of opportunity as they close.

Ready maneuvers are great from preventing attackers with high tumble from rolling in, striking, and rolling back out without being counterattacked when something requires the defender to remain in place.

 

[Supplement Four]

You can also use the Hold Ground Feat from The Warrior's Companion.