D&D 5E Letting the enemy have even a single attack is the result of a strategic failure.

[FormerlyHemlock]

I was just about to bring up a similar point. Tricking an enemy into attacking first, either to gain a moral high ground or to reveal themselves before they are truly ready is equally viable strategy.

After all, you want an enemy to get the first "attack" if you are using "bait"

If the enemy gets the first attack against something that turns out to be a Projected Image of you, is that a strategic failure or not?

 

[FormerlyHemlock]

Viewing anything except a 100% stunlock as a failure will lead to a lot if failed monks.

With this definition there's hardly a battle in history thats not a strategic failure.

Sun Tzu would say that a battle is a strategic failure (to some degree) by definition.

 

[FormerlyHemlock]

Perhaps the phrase might mean that the best strategy is to neutralize your enemy without engaging him at all.
For example, sneaking past the guards, or tricking another enemy into attacking them.

Welcome to Enworld!

 

[jonathonhawke]

Sun Tzu would say that a battle is a strategic failure (to some degree) by definition.

My point exactly!

 

[jonathonhawke]

Welcome to Enworld!

Thank you.

 

[choryukami]

It is possible for a bard with double proficiency in deception, proficiency in disguise and copious use of suggestion and domination. I know. I have done it.

 

[Eltab]

My PotA Arcane Trickster just nerfed a boss fight:
My group was supposed to be sent to the Tower of London and quietly assassinated. Of course we turned the tables and survived. The boss executioner had distinctive magic on his body. When we saw HIS boss coming to check on progress, I used Disguise Self to look like the dead guy, walked out, and reported "We succeeded but they dealt me a blow (hands to throat - no illusionary voice) and we still have to clean up." The boss thought about it, said, "OK, well done." and walked back to his office.

So the enemy never struck a blow, neither did we, and we accomplished a strategic success: left alone long enough to escape.

Next step in the plan: when we come back for revenge, I'm going to disguise myself again as the executioner. If anybody challenges me, I will say "The rumors of my death were greatly exaggerated ... but I'll let them swirl around, because nobody will expect to see ME when I show up to deal with the problem."

 

[Evilhalfling]

I like a good combat as sport set battle, but I love when the players do it the other way as well.
just make sure someone tells the new guy.

I ran a 3.5 game where low level adventurers fight a stag beetle- which have huge damage, but not much else.
They were in the midst of creating a plan involving smoke a fast character readying to flee, and archers in trees, when the new guy (the only one with darkvison charges into the cave . The other players say, "we wait for the screaming to stop while we light the torches wrapped with green leaves"
one attack and an OA later the screaming stops and the beetle is smoked out and killed without any further damage to the party.
The new guy rolled up his next character. (who lasted at least a two sessions)

 

[Nytmare]

One of my old groups had started a fairly successful run through the Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil where we played a party of specialist wizards. We'd flip back and forth between sessions of nothing but scouting and scrying, and then a session of nothing but executing the well oiled machine of plans we'd spent the previous week drafting up.

Surviving to whatever level it was that we needed to get followers was the only real hard part, after that it became kind of a cake walk. As players we were having a blast, but unfortunately we weren't making it much fun for the DM and he ended up folding. The straw that broke the camel's back was when we used our Lyre of Building to excavate and drain the entire Water Temple out the side of a mountain.

 

[Nytmare]

I like a good combat as sport set battle, but I love when the players do it the other way as well.
just make sure someone tells the new guy.

"LEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOY... JENKINS!"