Iaijutsu Focus

[aeauseth]

I am playing a Factotum. I have taken several ranks in Iaijutsu Focus (Oriental Adventures 58). The rules clearly state that the foe must be flat-footed in order to use the Iaijutsu Focus skill.

I have seen several posters suggest that hiding and flanking make an opponent flat-footed, however I don't believe that is true by RAW. Being denied dexterity is not equal to flat-footed.

The SRD states that flat-footed is when a character has not yet acted during a combat is flat-footed, not yet reacting normally to the situation.

So I was trying to determine under what circumstantes I could maximize the Iaijutsu Focus skill, or better put as how to catch an opponent flat-footed.

I know going 1st is the most obvious, so Improved Initiative. Grease can make an opponent flat-footed. Acrobatic Backstab skill trick. Hidden blade skill trick. Anything else I might have missed.

My idea is to intentially limit the use of Iaijutsu Focus. Saving it for a time of real need, such as when being grappled, or a last ditch effort of a boss fight. Make a dramatic attack that defeats the foe. So I wanted some sort of flat-footed mechanic that was reliable. Hidden blade seems to be the only one, and it only works once a fight.

[Snowbluff]

If you use your spellcasting for Iaijutsu Focus, with things like Grease or Invisibility, you can keep it limited, but still have a reliable way of doing it.

[aeauseth]

If you use your spellcasting for Iaijutsu Focus, with things like Grease or Invisibility, you can keep it limited, but still have a reliable way of doing it.

Greese I agree with. Invisibility I don't. As I indicated in my original post beinig hidden (or invisible) may deny dexterity, but does not technically make them flat-footed.

[aeauseth]

If you use your spellcasting for Iaijutsu Focus, with things like Grease or Invisibility, you can keep it limited, but still have a reliable way of doing it.

Greese I agree with. Invisibility I don't. As I indicated in my original post beinig hidden (or invisible) may deny dexterity, but does not technically make them flat-footed.

[Lonely Tylenol]

The Flick of the Wrist feat explicitly states that it renders the opponent flat-footed instead of denied their DEX bonus. There is a skill trick that does basically the same thing, as well, in Complete Scoundrel.

[DefKab]

The Flick of the Wrist feat explicitly states that it renders the opponent flat-footed instead of denied their DEX bonus. There is a skill trick that does basically the same thing, as well, in Complete Scoundrel.

Where's the Flick of the Wrist feat? I'd love to use that...

[Alienist]

http://dndtools.eu/feats/races-of-the-wild--84/flick-of-the-wrist--1144/

[Bloodgruve]

If you successfully hide from an opponent that opponent is flat footed vs you. Invis gives you +20 to hide. Staying hidden while attacking is a hide check -20. Greater Invis would even it out. Invis won't on its own give flat footed but hiding while invised will. My factotum uses HiPS from Dark Creature template coupled with Veil of Shadows for concealment, allowing for multiple attacks per round with Iaijutsu Focus. I also use grease, marbles, acrobatic backstab, hidden blade, eggshell grenades and Sapphire Night Blade to give FF.

Thinking about it, not sure if Invis actually allows you a hide check if being observed though?

GL
Blood~

[Swooper]

I know going 1st is the most obvious, so Improved Initiative.
I'd just like to point out that you also get your int bonus to initiative. It's an often-overlooked part of a factotum class feature - initiative checks are dex-based ability checks and you get your int bonus on those (among other things) at 3rd level.

On topic, yes, you are absolutely right. Flat-footed is a well-defined condition that does not equal merely losing dexterity bonus. Here's a few feats that might help:
Surprising Riposte (http://www.realmshelps.net/cgi-bin/featbox.pl?feat=Surprising_Riposte)
Low Blow (http://www.realmshelps.net/cgi-bin/featbox.pl?feat=Low_Blow)
Feign Weakness (http://www.realmshelps.net/cgi-bin/featbox.pl?feat=Feign_Weakness)
Gloom Razor (http://www.realmshelps.net/cgi-bin/featbox.pl?feat=Gloom_Razor)
Raptor School (http://www.realmshelps.net/cgi-bin/featbox.pl?feat=Raptor_School)
Confound the Big Folk (http://www.realmshelps.net/cgi-bin/featbox.pl?feat=Confound_The_Big_Folk)
Giantbane (http://www.realmshelps.net/cgi-bin/featbox.pl?feat=Giantbane)
Exhausting Defense (http://www.realmshelps.net/cgi-bin/featbox.pl?feat=Exhausting_Defense)
Mercurial Strike (http://www.realmshelps.net/cgi-bin/featbox.pl?feat=Mercurial_Strike)
Flick of the Wrist (http://www.realmshelps.net/cgi-bin/featbox.pl?feat=Flick_of_the_Wrist)

[Abaddon87]

Hi,

Im AFB right now but I remember a spell I used for a Wiz//Warblade/Iaijutsu Master character I played (extreemly fun btw). I think it was called "Distract Assailant"

It was a low lvl spell so the save is kinda bad but its a swift action cast which is sweet. Fail means the target is open to Iaijutsu strike. I put a wand of this spell in my katana the toon used and it worked pretty well for me.

[Slipperychicken]

Hi,

Im AFB right now but I remember a spell I used for a Wiz//Warblade/Iaijutsu Master character I played (extreemly fun btw). I think it was called "Distract Assailant"

It was a low lvl spell so the save is kinda bad but its a swift action cast which is sweet. Fail means the target is open to Iaijutsu strike. I put a wand of this spell in my katana the toon used and it worked pretty well for me.

IMO, if you're relying on a single enemy to fail a Will save against a mind-affecting compulsion, you might as go all the way and cast Hold Person. Just CDG next round, the same round if you used Cunning Surge to cast it.


Marbles all the way. Collar of Perpetual Attendance (Fabulous Cats web enhancement), have your constant unseen servants spread them for you. Because who the hell puts ranks in Balance?

[Zaq]

Marbles all the way. Collar of Perpetual Attendance (Fabulous Cats web enhancement), have your constant unseen servants spread them for you. Because who the hell puts ranks in Balance?

PCs. Because they know this is coming.

Note: I have yet to see anyone with 6 or more ranks in Balance. I have seen a hell of a lot of people with 5 ranks.

[Answerer]

If I don't absolutely need the points for prerequisites, I will always put 5 ranks in Balance. I'd never put more than that barring perhaps attempts to hit that 120 DC.

[Bakkan]

Being hidden form someone does make them flat-footed with respect to you as per page 92 of the Rules Compendium.

[Taelas]

Being hidden form someone does make them flat-footed with respect to you as per page 92 of the Rules Compendium.

However, the same does not hold true for invisibility. If you are spotted while invisible, they are simply denied their Dex modifier to AC. You are hidden by default when invisible, of course (the opponent has to beat your Hide DC + the circumstance modifier for being invisible to see your location), but you would have to hide again if your invisibility doesn't disappear after an attack to make them flat-footed with respect to you again.

[Dumorimasoddaa]

The cheapest way to flat-foot if I recall correctly is marbles. At 1cp per set you can make any one with out 5 balance flat-footed, it makes the quick razor factourm nasty pre fancy feats and spells.

[Saintheart]

The cheapest way to flat-foot if I recall correctly is marbles. At 1cp per set you can make any one with out 5 balance flat-footed, it makes the quick razor factourm nasty pre fancy feats and spells.

And watch as every monster or opponent on which you try that trick after you first use it then has 5 ranks in Balance. DMs (well, some of them anyway) do pay attention, you know. :smallbiggrin:

[Answerer]

That'd be... really awful metagaming on the DM's part, though.

[Sutremaine]

PCs. Because they know this is coming.
But can't necessarily do anything about it, if Balance is cross-class and they're low on skill points.

I do note that the Jump skill is silent on matters of footing.