I'm a little stumped with this.
Example, casting a spell, 1 standard action provokes attack of opportunity. The enemy is allowed a single melee attack.
So, each time the wizard casts a spell, standard action, an enemy is allowed to basically take a free swing (melee attack) at the wizard, in hopes of interrupting the cast? When this happens, are initiatives ignored for this free single hit, allowing the enemy to go first with the 1 extra attack against the caster?
Best Answer
Yes, it’s “free”
Each person can only do it once per round, but every round if a mage casts within someone’s threatened range, he provokes from that person, who gets the Attack of Opportunity. This does not require a particular action, does not require any kind of preparation, and does not affect initiative.
No, it does not allow the enemy to go first
You cannot make Attacks of Opportunity if you are flat-footed, e.g. if you have not yet acted in the combat. So in the first round (and maybe in the surprise round), the mage can cast freely around those who have not acted yet. After their first turn, they may start taking Attacks of Opportunity.
Combat Reflexes changes these
The Combat Reflexes feat allows a number of Attacks of Opportunity equal to one’s Dex mod, and further allows Attacks of Opportunity while flat-footed.