Can a creature using a movement ability that “does not cause AoO” forfeit the protection and draw the AoO?

Question

There are some movement abilities that allow one to move without drawing an AoO (Attack of Opportunity).

However, it may be tactically advantageous to draw that AoO, but one can be restricted only to movement that does not draw AoO.

Can the character take the movement, but opt out of the AoO immunity?

Answer 1

There is no explicit provision in the rules for forgoing that benefit. However, looking back to the definition of attacks of opportunity, we have this:

Sometimes a combatant in a melee lets her guard down or takes a reckless action. In this case, combatants near her can take advantage of her lapse in defense to attack her for free. These free attacks are called attacks of opportunity.

Avoiding attacks of opportunity takes effort. Provoking an attack of opportunity is something you do because you are forced to by the distracting nature of whatever you’re doing. That seems like a pretty solid case for saying that characters can always provoke attacks of opportunity, whatever they’re doing. The rules specifying that some actions provoke, in this argument, are really saying that while performing those actions, a character cannot help but provoke.

But this is definitely not something the rules come out and tell you. And even as I advocate for it being sensible to allow, I am a little worried that there might be some weird abusive corner-case to it. As GM, I would probably allow it, but with the caveat that I reserve the right to revisit that choice if it turns out to be problematic (as with any ruling ret-con like that, I would also allow players the opportunity to rebuild their characters somewhat in response).

Answer 2

As far as I can tell, this exact situation isn't covered anywhere in the Pathfinder or 3.5e rules. There are three reasonable guidelines I can provide.

1. Player characters can usually voluntarily forgo benefits to which they are entailed. As an example, players are allowed to forgo saving throws or lower spell resistance to specific spells. If your case is that of a feat or class ability providing the ability to avoid AoOs, it seems reasonable that this same principle applies.
2. Involuntary movement usually does not provoke attacks of opportunity. That is, being propelled through a square doesn't typically provoke an attack of opportunity, even if the character is intentionally creating a situation that will cause that "involuntary" movement (such as leaping and then falling). In this case, the benefit is not caused by something about the character, but by the situation that they're in; thus, they don't have voluntary control over it.
3. Characters and creatures may almost always forgo Attacks of Opportunity. While researching this question I came across a forum post that discusses why someone would want to provoke attacks of opportunity. In the case of effects like Flame Shield, even if the AoO can voluntarily be provoked, the creature in question usually doesn't have to (and probably wouldn't) choose to take one (unless they are being compelled by another effect to always attack when possible).