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4th to 5th Edition Converters - What has been your experience?
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<blockquote data-quote="AbdulAlhazred" data-source="post: 6886156" data-attributes="member: 82106"><p>Right, 3 PCs in a 15' wide space would probably be ruled as a reasonable frontage, particularly if they don't use daggers or weapons with a very narrow frontage (IE pikes or spears basically). In the later case most DMs probably will just go with it anyway, but some might rule that one or another of the opponents is able to 'slip by' because the "ranks aren't full". How that would be meshed with the 'engaged' rule is unclear. Some DMs might say that the 'engagement clause' is just a general statement that applies to the typical case of an opponent with a sword-length weapon and a single opponent. Others might decide that every single orc is stopped, no matter what, in which case all the statements about frontages and their rules seem pretty much redundant. </p><p></p><p>Defenders with long weapons might get prepared attacks. Frankly in this kind of situation I'd be tempted to allow everyone to strike in order of weapon length on the first round. Even if the orcs aren't technically charging they still have to get past your spear point, and even an axe is shorter than most spears.</p><p></p><p>Personally I wasn't all that fond of the generous interpretations of the 'free attack rule'. It seems far too punishing and creates such a huge change in action economy that it effectively precludes any viable flight from combat, whereas the situation probably shouldn't be THAT grim. We always allowed a single immediate free 'primary' attack (IE the troll tries to bite you) followed by the opponent being free to reengage, assuming equal/better movement rate, at which point the rest of its attack routine for the round could be executed. If you really are FAST, well, you can often get away almost scott free! It really makes lighter armor a lot more enticing too, as some degree of hit and run tactics become potentially viable. (IE a lightly armored fighter quickly 'flees', and his missile-armed buddies give the enemy a choice of taking cover or getting a couple of HCB bolts straight in the face). Its still UNFAVORABLE because you don't get your attacks, and the opponent gets at least one blow at substantially improved odds, but if the goal is say attrition then its reasonable and seems fairly realistic at that.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="AbdulAlhazred, post: 6886156, member: 82106"] Right, 3 PCs in a 15' wide space would probably be ruled as a reasonable frontage, particularly if they don't use daggers or weapons with a very narrow frontage (IE pikes or spears basically). In the later case most DMs probably will just go with it anyway, but some might rule that one or another of the opponents is able to 'slip by' because the "ranks aren't full". How that would be meshed with the 'engaged' rule is unclear. Some DMs might say that the 'engagement clause' is just a general statement that applies to the typical case of an opponent with a sword-length weapon and a single opponent. Others might decide that every single orc is stopped, no matter what, in which case all the statements about frontages and their rules seem pretty much redundant. Defenders with long weapons might get prepared attacks. Frankly in this kind of situation I'd be tempted to allow everyone to strike in order of weapon length on the first round. Even if the orcs aren't technically charging they still have to get past your spear point, and even an axe is shorter than most spears. Personally I wasn't all that fond of the generous interpretations of the 'free attack rule'. It seems far too punishing and creates such a huge change in action economy that it effectively precludes any viable flight from combat, whereas the situation probably shouldn't be THAT grim. We always allowed a single immediate free 'primary' attack (IE the troll tries to bite you) followed by the opponent being free to reengage, assuming equal/better movement rate, at which point the rest of its attack routine for the round could be executed. If you really are FAST, well, you can often get away almost scott free! It really makes lighter armor a lot more enticing too, as some degree of hit and run tactics become potentially viable. (IE a lightly armored fighter quickly 'flees', and his missile-armed buddies give the enemy a choice of taking cover or getting a couple of HCB bolts straight in the face). Its still UNFAVORABLE because you don't get your attacks, and the opponent gets at least one blow at substantially improved odds, but if the goal is say attrition then its reasonable and seems fairly realistic at that. [/QUOTE]
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4th to 5th Edition Converters - What has been your experience?
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