D&D 5E is the dodge action broken?

[Chuck Ocenasek]

I prefer the term Full Defense. I can't visualize my Dwarf in full plate Jumping around but I can imagine him hiding behind his shield in a crouch. After he has dropped Spiritual weapon and Spirit Guardians.

 

[Harzel]

I prefer the term Full Defense. I can't visualize my Dwarf in full plate Jumping around but I can imagine him hiding behind his shield in a crouch. After he has dropped Spiritual weapon and Spirit Guardians.

By "dropped" do you mean "cast" (which would make sense) or "ceased using" (the way I first read it, which puzzled me)?

 

[CubicsRube]

I assumed he meant cast. I can visualise it as well

 

[cmad1977]

If any question asks if something in 5e is broken the answer is always ‘No.’


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CubicsRube]

If any question asks if something in 5e is broken the answer is always ‘No.’


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Perhaps calling something broken is broken?

 

[Rhenny]

It is a good option at times, but it does not break the game. In all the games I've DMd or played in over the past 3 years, I think it has been used only about 8 or 9 times, and 4 of them were by a monk who could burn Ki points to go into Dodge mode as a bonus action. Giving up an action to gain the AC bonus is a choice that is not made very often.

 

[abirdcall]

It is a good option at times, but it does not break the game. In all the games I've DMd or played in over the past 3 years, I think it has been used only about 8 or 9 times, and 4 of them were by a monk who could burn Ki points to go into Dodge mode as a bonus action. Giving up an action to gain the AC bonus is a choice that is not made very often.

While the OP wasn't talking about balance it is a good topic to address.

It is quite possibly the most undervalued option in the game. The players at my table were reluctant to use it but have come to rely on it. They have avoided more than 1 TPK by Dodging.

 

[redrick]

While the OP wasn't talking about balance it is a good topic to address.

It is quite possibly the most undervalued option in the game. The players at my table were reluctant to use it but have come to rely on it. They have avoided more than 1 TPK by Dodging.

I'd be curious to hear some of the situations where they have used it to such great effect.

 

[abirdcall]

I'd be curious to hear some of the situations where they have used it to such great effect.

Well for one, they've learned to use Disengage rarely and using Dodge in its place. With Disengage best case scenario is that the monster will attack someone else. The monster is still attacking someone though and often the monster can just run right back up to them and now we have a dying character. That can create a death spiral.

With Dodge the monster will have a choice, attack the low armoured character with disadvantage or the well armoured character.

Sometimes creatures will stay on one target, either through being mindless, arrogant, or with bloodlust. Sometimes it is easy to block a creature as well. Take a Hill Giant for example. They are big, have a large to hit bonus, and hit hard. Dodging is often the only way to survive their attacks.

Dodge is also helpful at the end of a battle. Sometimes creatures are almost finished but there are many reasons they may not run away. So does the party let the creature get one or two more hits in or do some take Dodge while the others easily finish it off?

 

[Rhenny]

Well for one, they've learned to use Disengage rarely and using Dodge in its place. With Disengage best case scenario is that the monster will attack someone else. The monster is still attacking someone though and often the monster can just run right back up to them and now we have a dying character. That can create a death spiral.

With Dodge the monster will have a choice, attack the low armoured character with disadvantage or the well armoured character.

Sometimes creatures will stay on one target, either through being mindless, arrogant, or with bloodlust. Sometimes it is easy to block a creature as well. Take a Hill Giant for example. They are big, have a large to hit bonus, and hit hard. Dodging is often the only way to survive their attacks.

Dodge is also helpful at the end of a battle. Sometimes creatures are almost finished but there are many reasons they may not run away. So does the party let the creature get one or two more hits in or do some take Dodge while the others easily finish it off?

That's definitely when the players in my groups use it. The tank who is clogging up a narrow passageway, or surrounded by enemies, will dodge and take the brunt of the attacks while others can pick off some of the foes one by one, or get themselves into a better position.