Steal

Combat Maneuvers

A Steal maneuver lets you snatch a worn or carried item from an opponent during combat — a pouch from their belt, a weapon from a sheath, even a cloak from their shoulders. Unlike Disarm, Steal targets any item the opponent is carrying or wearing, not just a held weapon. Introduced in Ultimate Combat and part of the standard PRD maneuver list.

Performing a Steal

Action Standard action
Provokes AoO Yes, from the target — unless you have Improved Steal
Check d20 + CMB vs. target's CMD
Range Melee reach (you must be able to touch the target or the item)

What You Can Steal

You may attempt to steal any item the target is carrying or wearing, provided you can reach it. The GM may apply modifiers to the CMD based on how securely the item is attached:

Item Type / Situation CMD Modifier
Carried (in hand, in open pouch, accessible) +0
Worn but easily removed (cloak, belt pouch, loose ring) +0 to +5
Strapped, buckled, or tied on (sheathed weapon, backpack) +5
Deeply secured or worn under armor +10 or more (GM discretion)
Target is larger than you (per size category difference) +4 per size
Target is smaller than you (per size category difference) –4 per size

Success and Failure

Success

  • You take the chosen item and now hold it in one hand.
  • If you have no free hand, the item lands in an adjacent square of your choice.
  • You may not use the item until your next turn (it is in your possession but not yet ready to act with).

Failure

  • You fail to grab the item. No penalty beyond the wasted action.
  • Unlike Disarm, a failed Steal does not allow the target to attempt to steal from you in return.
No counter-steal on failure. Disarm has a built-in reversal — fail by 10+ and the target can immediately try to disarm you. Steal has no such rule; a failed Steal simply wastes your standard action. This makes Steal slightly lower-risk than Disarm when you don't have Improved Steal.

Key Feats

Feat Benefit Prerequisite
Improved Steal Does not provoke AoO; +2 CMB and CMD for Steal INT 13, Combat Expertise
Greater Steal Target does not automatically notice the theft until the end of your next turn Improved Steal, BAB +6