D&D 3E/3.5 [3.5] delaying and Movement

[Siuis]

Situation: single combat. Enemy NPC is a match/slightly superior to PC, and they are fighting one-on-one. Then the NPC goes berserk. 2 more hits will drop the PC, but if they can hold out until the rage subsides, the battle is theirs.

The PC readies his action to move when the NPC attacks.
Enemy attacks, PC moves and his initiative is set to immediately before the enemies'.
Next round, the enemy moves to engage (or charges) the PC, who moves out of the way- enemy attack is wasted.
Next round, the enemy moves to engage (or charges) the PC, who moves out of the way- enemy attack is wasted.
Next round, the enemy moves to engage (or charges) the PC, who moves out of the way- enemy attack is wasted.

Now, technically this works, in game and IRL. DM was confused, used the delay action rules instead (PC initiative is set to new space- after the attacking enemy). Whatever, it will be talked about before the next game.
However, it occurs to me that doing this will provoke attacks of opportunity. Which means... This isn't a tactic at all- you're still getting hit, not attacking back, and doing nothing special to avoid the circumstances (the enemy would be denied iterative attacks from a high BaB anyway, unless the PC stood there to slug it out).
Am I missing something? Or is this clear-cut, case closed as far as the rules go?

 

[Sekhmet]

PC readies his action:
PC acts immediately before NPC.

PC begins to move, NPC gets AoO.

PC runs (30ft).
NPC runs -> chase scene occurs. Unless the NPC is faster, or the PC trips/is otherwise, slowed, they keep a minor distance.

 

[Vegepygmy]

However, it occurs to me that doing this will provoke attacks of opportunity. Which means... This isn't a tactic at all- you're still getting hit, not attacking back, and doing nothing special to avoid the circumstances (the enemy would be denied iterative attacks from a high BaB anyway, unless the PC stood there to slug it out).
Am I missing something? Or is this clear-cut, case closed as far as the rules go?

You've pretty much got it. There are situations where it may not necessarily be true (for example, PC positions himself so that he has cover and thus doesn't provoke when he moves away), but for the most part...yeah, PC isn't accomplishing what he hopes.

Depending on the terrain, Withdrawing would probably be a better option. If PC can position himself so that NPC can't Charge, he can move far enough away that NPC can't follow and attack, and run out the clock that way.

 

[Empirate]

Couldn't you ready an action to move away right before the other guy can reach you? That way, you'd keep clear of him.

Another tactic that might work, depending on circumstances: if you just don't want to eat full attacks all the time, attack as a standard action, then move away. The other guy must move before he attacks = no full attack for anybody, so you can run out the clock on the rage more easily.
However, this really only works if you can tumble to avoid the AoO from movement - and if the other guy doesn't have Pounce.

If you're just looking to prolong the fight, total defense might be another option. +4 AC (+6 with 5 rks in Tumble) is nothing to scoff at. Have you tried disarming, tripping, grappling the other guy?

 

[Vegepygmy]

Couldn't you ready an action to move away right before the other guy can reach you? That way, you'd keep clear of him.

You could, but in that case you'd only be interrupting his move, not his attack, so there would be nothing to prohibit him from completing his move (following you wherever you went), and attacking you.

 

[Siuis]

Couldn't you ready an action to move away right before the other guy can reach you? That way, you'd keep clear of him.

Another tactic that might work, depending on circumstances: if you just don't want to eat full attacks all the time, attack as a standard action, then move away. The other guy must move before he attacks = no full attack for anybody, so you can run out the clock on the rage more easily.
However, this really only works if you can tumble to avoid the AoO from movement - and if the other guy doesn't have Pounce.

If you're just looking to prolong the fight, total defense might be another option. +4 AC (+6 with 5 rks in Tumble) is nothing to scoff at. Have you tried disarming, tripping, grappling the other guy?

You could, but in that case you'd only be interrupting his move, not his attack, so there would be nothing to prohibit him from completing his move (following you wherever you went), and attacking you.

[sblock="the situation:"]
Situation was, game started with PCs captured by slavers. The incarnate (tiefling ACL incarnate 2) was put in an arena do to be the most succesful failed escape. No equipment except sub-optimal melds + dissolving spittle (2d6 ranged touch, acid, 30' range standard action, provokes). Specifically, the tiefling is in a bear pit- 40 circle with a screen over the top so the bear can't stand up. Expecting an unsporting slaughter when a slaver walks in with a shortsword, the incarnate spits acid in his face. He draws a second sword from behind his back(?!), says "fine, I'll keep 'em both!".
Grapple, disarm and trip would all provoke.
Enemy hits PC on a twelve. Even full defense, a raging, charging enemy still hits on a 12 or higher. The player decided to stand and fight, since the penalties on 2wf were all that saved the PC's bacon. It was a pretty stacked fight, not in the party's favor. The party deserved it, but it was still almost un-fun- told to make 3rd level characters and bring their A-game to take on now-epic ex-PCs. Everyone picked a level adjustment, and the tiefling incarnate is specifically suboptimal, because the player is tired of the other PCs relying on them to be the million-dollar man. No pity for self imposed handicaps...[/sblock]

We try to use the ready action to be specifically triggered by the beginning or end of a definable action, game-wise. Start of enemy movement works, end of enemy movement works. Near then end based on distance, while probably legal, goes against our detente with the DMs of our group. However;

Moving a full 30' away, and ready to do the same when the enemy moves could, feasibly, cause a chase scene with no resolution, except by pinning the PC to the wall somehow. The extra movement for the barbarian may be negated, and a charge would be utterly thwarted. Thanks, I'll inform the player.