D&D 5E Goading Attack Combo

I'm pretty sure this works, but I want to check with the forum on the grounds that a game stuffed to the gills with rules lawyers since forty-odd years ago is likely to have at least some arcane wrinkles in unexpected places.

So let's suppose I'm DMing a campaign in which the party has two battle masters, right? And let's further suppose both of these chuckleheads chose the Goading Attack maneuver on the grounds that being awesome is pretty awesome. And now let's further further suppose they both hit on some round of combat against a single Very Scary Monster and both opt to use Goading Attack. Assuming failed saves, that monster now has disadvantage on its attacks no matter what, right? Boris hits with his Goading Attack, making Boris the only non-disadvantage target, but Marise then also hits with her Goading Attack, making Marise the only non-disadvantage target. Very Scary Monster is plumb stuck with disadvantage on all its attacks now, isn't it?

I always like to cite something for reference:



My reading would be you are correct. Very Scary Monster would have disadvantage no matter who it attacks.

Though you can also use Menacing Attack to achieve the same result.

Yes, but for this to work the two battlemasters have to be brothers with a really cheesy name like the Bash Bros.

All seems fair to me. Far worse things can happen from failing two Wisdom saves than a round of disadvantage on attacks.

James Gasik said:

Though you can also use Menacing Attack to achieve the same result.

Click to expand...

Unless you are in a situation where it could break line of sight, in which case one Battlemaster hitting it with both Menacing Attack and Goading Attack would be necessary to fully achieve the effect.

Yes it works. Probably not worth it but it works.