Actions that Provoke Attacks of Opportunity

When in a threatened square, the following table shows what actions do and do not provoke attacks of opportunity.

Table: Actions in Combat

Standard Actions	Provokes an Attack of Opportunity1
Attack (melee)	No
Attack (ranged)	Yes
Attack (unarmed)	Yes
Activate a magic item other than a potion or oil	No
Aid another	Maybe2
Cast a spell (1 standard action casting time)	Yes
Channel energy	No
Concentrate to maintain an active spell	No
Dismiss a spell	No
Draw a hidden weapon (see Sleight of Hand skill)	No
Drink a potion or apply an oil	Yes
Escape a grapple	No
Feint	No
Light a torch with a tindertwig	Yes
Lower spell resistance	No
Read a scroll	Yes
Ready (triggers a standard action)	No
Stabilize a dying friend (see Heal skill)	Yes
Total defense	No
Use extraordinary ability	No
Use skill that takes 1 action	Usually
Use spell-like ability	Yes
Use supernatural ability	No
Move Actions	Attack of Opportunity1
Move	Yes
Control a frightened mount	Yes
Direct or redirect an active spell	No
Draw a weapon3	No
Load a hand crossbow or light crossbow	Yes
Open or close a door	No
Mount/dismount a steed	No
Move a heavy object	Yes
Pick up an item (see FAQ)	Yes (see FAQ)
Sheathe a weapon	Yes
Stand up from prone	Yes
Ready or drop a shield3	No
Retrieve a stored item	Yes
Full-Round Actions	Attack of Opportunity1
Full attack	No
Charge4	No
Deliver coup de grace	Yes
Escape from a net	Yes
Extinguish flames	No
Light a torch	Yes
Load a heavy or repeating crossbow	Yes
Lock or unlock weapon in locked gauntlet	Yes
Prepare to throw splash weapon	Yes
Run	Yes
Use skill that takes 1 round	Usually
Use a touch spell on up to six friends	Yes
Withdraw4	No
Free Actions	Attack of Opportunity1
Cease concentration on a spell	No
Drop an item	No
Drop to the floor	No
Prepare spell components to cast a spell5	No
Speak	No
Swift Actions	Attack of Opportunity1
Cast a quickened spell	No
Immediate Actions	Attack of Opportunity1
Cast feather fall	No
No Action	Attack of Opportunity1
Delay	No
5-foot step	No
Action Type Varies	Attack of Opportunity1
Perform a combat maneuver6	Yes
Use feat7	Varies

1 Regardless of the action, if you move out of a threatened square, you usually provoke an attack of opportunity. This column indicates whether the action itself, not moving, provokes an attack of opportunity.
2 If you aid someone performing an action that would normally provoke an attack of opportunity, then the act of aiding another provokes an attack of opportunity as well.
3 If you have a base attack bonus of +1 or higher, you can combine one of these actions with a regular move. If you have the Two-Weapon Fighting feat, you can draw two light or one-handed weapons in the time it would normally take you to draw one.
4 May be taken as a standard action if you are limited to taking only a single action in a round.
5 Unless the component is an extremely large or awkward item.
6 Some combat maneuvers substitute for a melee attack, not an action. As melee attacks, they can be used once in an attack or charge action, one or more times in a full-attack action, or even as an attack of opportunity. Others are used as a separate action.
7 The description of a feat defines its effect.