D&D 5E Opportunity Attack around a Corner: Yes or No?

[toucanbuzz]

Conclusion: PC gets an attack of opportunity on the Orc.

Let's get our rules first.

Diagonals

Only apply to movement on a grid (can't go diagonal with a wall). So that's a red herring issue.

Attacks of Opportunity

PHB p195: The ONLY qualifiers for an AOO is that (1) "a hostile creature that you can see" (2) "moves out of your reach." It has nothing to do with your movement options or diagonals.

The AOO occurs "right before the creature leaves your reach." It has nothing to do with your movement options or diagonals.

Cover

In summary, cover is never granted around a corner to adjacent foes. See DMG p251 on cover in that you can draw imaginary lines from the bottom right corner of the PC's square without obstruction to all points in the orc's square.

Sight When Target Leaves Its Square, aka "Hiding"

It's odd "hiding" comes into play, but bear with me. Being around a corner can provide cause for a Hide action. So, is the PC aware of the Orc, or is it "hidden" to him? Per the PHB p177, unless the Orc was doing something special to hide himself, the PC is going to be aware of him when the orc tries to move by. As such, the PC is going to see the Orc. As such, the PC is going to be able to attack the Orc when it leaves the adjacent square.

Analysis: Orc moves into threatened square by Grim and is spotted, even if previously hiding. Orc could attack Grim, Grim could attack Orc. Orc moves out of Grim's reach. Grim attacks him right before Orc moves out of reach.

 

[Umbran]

Half cover seems like a really good ruling here.

From the DMG, Chapter 8: Running the Game, Using Miniatures:

Line of Sight​

To precisely determine whether there is line of sight between two spaces, pick a corner of one space and trace an imaginary line from that corner to any part of another space. If at least one such line doesn’t pass through or touch an object or effect that blocks vision — such as a stone wall, a thick curtain, or a dense cloud of fog — then there is line of sight.

Cover​

To determine whether a target has cover against an attack or other effect on a grid, choose a corner of the attacker’s space or the point of origin of an area of effect. Then trace imaginary lines from that corner to every corner of any one square the target occupies. If one or two of those lines are blocked by an obstacle (including another creature), the target has half cover. If three or four of those lines are blocked but the attack can still reach the target (such as when the target is behind an arrow slit), the target has three-quarters cover.

 

[Charlaquin]

From the DMG, Chapter 8: Running the Game, Using Miniatures:

Line of Sight​

To precisely determine whether there is line of sight between two spaces, pick a corner of one space and trace an imaginary line from that corner to any part of another space. If at least one such line doesn’t pass through or touch an object or effect that blocks vision — such as a stone wall, a thick curtain, or a dense cloud of fog — then there is line of sight.

Cover​

To determine whether a target has cover against an attack or other effect on a grid, choose a corner of the attacker’s space or the point of origin of an area of effect. Then trace imaginary lines from that corner to every corner of any one square the target occupies. If one or two of those lines are blocked by an obstacle (including another creature), the target has half cover. If three or four of those lines are blocked but the attack can still reach the target (such as when the target is behind an arrow slit), the target has three-quarters cover.

Yes, I do know how to determine cover and line of sight, thanks.

 

[Umbran]

Yes, I do know how to determine cover and line of sight, thanks.

It is not all about you - I thought the thread could use the quote.

 

[Charlaquin]

It is not all about you - I thought the thread could use the quote.

Generally when you quote someone the assumption is that you’re responding to them directly.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Generally when you quote someone the assumption is that you’re responding to them directly.

Sometimes people are just quoting you because your post is relevant or inspirational to their comment. It's more about context.

 

[TheSword]

Attack with cover.

 

[Ovinomancer]

Generally when you quote someone the assumption is that you’re responding to them directly.

Oh, not at all! I recently learned that sometimes the post quoted is actually a stand in for a post from pages prior! I also learned, as you have here, that the mistake made in not grasping this fact is solely on us, the readers. Posters have no duty at all to resolve our confusion, or, in fact, doing anything to prevent it!

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Oh, not at all! I recently learned that sometimes the post quoted is actually a stand in for a post from pages prior! I also learned, as you have here, that the mistake made in not grasping this fact is solely on us, the readers. Posters have no duty at all to resolve our confusion, or, in fact, doing anything to prevent it!

Well, I wouldn't go that far - it's the responsibility of both parties in a communication to create understanding. It's just particularly difficult to do that through text, and even worse, on the internet. The greatest communication device in history is best at the art of MIScommunication.

But yes, it's usually a good idea to assume that the other person is NOT trying to be a jerk to you. It's just nicer that way.

 

[Rabulias]

It strains my suspension of disbelief to imagine that someone should be able to see around a corner, know exactly what an enemy is doing around that corner, and pop out of nowhere around the corner to make an opportunity attack. (Around a pillar, even, in this specific case.)

And yes, I get what people are saying about how it's possible to see around a corner, especially if you're standing right at the corner. But if you move even a little bit away, you lose that ability very fast, and a square is 5 feet. This presumes that the PC is always exactly positioned in that one spot for maximum vision around the corner. I find that cheesy.

Keep in mind that the Opportunity Attack is provoked as the orc is leaving the square. At that point, it is not really "around the corner" anymore, and should be clearly in Grimmwald's view (see the green circle in attached image).

The better "cheesy" question here would be if the orc's direction of travel was reversed. If Kalista cast some fear effect on the orc in front of her and it followed the blue path ending in its shown position, would Grimmwald get an OA as it left the square directly around the corner from him (see the red circle in attached image)? RAW is yes. Personally I would give the orc cover from Grimmwald that far around the corner.