Steadfast Boots (MIC) and AoOs question

[Boci]

So if a character is wearing these boots (from MIC) with a reach weapon, do their AoO do double damage as well, or just the attack on their turn?

[awa]

the attack on their turn isn't doubled but the free readied action is

[Keld Denar]

Only the readied action is doubled. The AoO is not affected.

[Boci]

The player supported his argument with the following:


The text is:

"...as long as you carry a two-handed weapon, you are treated as if you had readied that weapon against any creature that charges you..."

Taken at face value, if you carry a two-handed weapon you're treated as readied against a creature that charges you. It doesn't say that you're allowed to Ready against a charge (even if the weapon usually doesn't let you): it says that you are treated as readied (even if the weapon usually doesn't let you).

Meanwhile, Readying has this text:

"Readying a Weapon against a Charge: You can ready certain piercing weapons, setting them to receive charges. A readied weapon of this type deals double damage if you score a hit with it against a charging character."

The fundamental part here is "setting them to receive CHARGES" - multiple charges, implying that you'd be able to use AoOs to deal double damage, as otherwise you'd only be setting against one charge, and using a Ready action to strike.

Ultimately, you're the GM.

I'm unconvinced, but would like to recieve more opinions.


the attack on their turn isn't doubled but the free readied action is

But you take readied actions on your turn. I'm not sure what you mean by this.


Only the readied action is doubled. The AoO is not affected.

What led you to this conclusion?

[Vangor]

So if a character is wearing these boots (from MIC) with a reach weapon, do their AoO do double damage as well, or just the attack on their turn?

Only the readied attack would deal double damage. Readying versus a charge is always possible regardless of weapon because this is merely a readied action. What is specific about the rules for readying versus a charge is the additional damage, not the action type. Thus, after the readied action is used to attack the charging character, the action is used, meaning the weapon is no longer set.

Attacks of opportunity are a response to moving from the square, not charging, and the weapon is no longer readied. To be considered readied against a charge, attack, and readied against the charge again would work, but this would use multiple actions on a readied action, which is not allowed.

Regardless of using the boots, the rules of readying including initiative order are still used. While the wording is a little sloppy, nothing is specific enough to trump the handbook on this.