5-foot-step

[Mekabar]

Am I right in the assumption that, provided there is enough space, a character can always use a 5-foot-step to retreat to a safe location and then use a ranged weapon or cast a spell safely vs melee opponents?
If so the 'shoot while threatened' feature of the Order of the Bow Initiate or the Concentration skill seems almost redundant to me.

 

[derelictjay]

Yes, you can always take a five foot step.

If so the 'shoot while threatened' feature of the Order of the Bow Initiate or the Concentration skill seems almost redundant to me.

This come into play when you are threatened by multiple opponents. Where the 5-foot step does not get you out of trouble. For example surrounding your wizard is an excellent tactic, as if he casts a spell, he either needs to cast defensively or make a whole bunch of concentration checks from AoO.

 

[drunkmoogle]

If you are flanked or cornered, there is nowhere you can go to prevent being threatened.

If a creature with 10' Reach moves adjacent to you, there's nowhere you can go to prevent being threatened.

 

[Insight]

Yup. A 5 foot step can only do so much, especially if you are either threatened by multiple opponents from different sides (ie, surrounded or mostly surrounded) or foes with reach in adjacent squares. Terrain might also be an issue.

 

[Mekabar]

If you are flanked or cornered, there is nowhere you can go to prevent being threatened.

That's right, but it seems quite ridiculous that a fighter, who is threatening a wizard, just scratches his head helplessly, while the spellslinger takes a step back and begins mumbling and gesticulating undisturbed.

If a creature with 10' Reach moves adjacent to you, there's nowhere you can go to prevent being threatened.

As I understood this does only apply to natural reach, but not reach weapons, with the exception of the spiked chain, right?

 

[Laurel]

It is slightly redundant. It is also a feat that one gets at second level of the class I believe. From what I have seen most people think Archers are over powerful anyways.

Also, Archer steps back 5ft, attacker advances 5ft. on his turn- both still getting full attacks. This can keep going on, but eventually you are off the field of battle, no longer with allies, or possibly just backed into a corner. Also, with multiple attackers, they can easily get into a position where a five foot step only works on one or some of the attackers not getting the AoO (something the DM will probably pick up on quickly), but others still within the 5ft.

It does allow for those situations when you are cornered, or you can't move the five feet. Plus if a PC is surrounded or even has two opponents around that is a minimum of four possible hits per round (AoO -one and regular initiative- at least one/each attacker). This can do some serious damage as some archers are not high on the AC or HP. Armor is also a big hindrance to that dex. modifier and magic protection is not cheap.

 

[Darkness]

As I understood this does only apply to natural reach, but not reach weapons, with the exception of the spiked chain, right?

Right, reach weapons generally don't allow you to attack adjacent creatures so it would usually be unwise for a fighter with a reach weapon to move in a square adjacent to his target's, assuming he wants to attack that target.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

That's right, but it seems quite ridiculous that a fighter, who is threatening a wizard, just scratches his head helplessly, while the spellslinger takes a step back and begins mumbling and gesticulating undisturbed.

That's only because you've got a problem in your visualization chip.

Allow me to help you reboot.

The proper way to describe the scene is not:

"The fighter attacks, swinging once, and misses. He stands there waiting for you to act. You take a step away, and cast Finger of Death at him. He dies."

A better way is:

"The warrior charges you, his greatsword darting about, seeking your flesh. You parry once, twice, three times with your staff, and the final block is enough to take his greatsword out of line. You push forward, momentarily, your staff across his chest, and he stumbles, momentarily out of balance. Seizing the opportunity, you scramble back over the small stones at your heels and pull the skeletal finger from the band of your belt. You point, say the magic words, and a crackling beam of dark energy leaps from your hand, striking him in the heart. In your mind, you hear his heart stop, instantly, and you know before the warrior does that he is eneffably dead."

 

[Lamoni]

Right, reach weapons generally don't allow you to attack adjacent creatures so it would usually be unwise for a fighter with a reach weapon to move in a square adjacent to his target's, assuming he wants to attack that target.

This is one of the advantages of monks though... they can be carrying a reach weapon, stand adjacent to their foe and attack all they want with their feet, knees, elbows, etc.

 

[shilsen]

That's only because you've got a problem in your visualization chip.

Allow me to help you reboot.

The proper way to describe the scene is not:

"The fighter attacks, swinging once, and misses. He stands there waiting for you to act. You take a step away, and cast Finger of Death at him. He dies."

A better way is:

"The warrior charges you, his greatsword darting about, seeking your flesh. You parry once, twice, three times with your staff, and the final block is enough to take his greatsword out of line. You push forward, momentarily, your staff across his chest, and he stumbles, momentarily out of balance. Seizing the opportunity, you scramble back over the small stones at your heels and pull the skeletal finger from the band of your belt. You point, say the magic words, and a crackling beam of dark energy leaps from your hand, striking him in the heart. In your mind, you hear his heart stop, instantly, and you know before the warrior does that he is eneffably dead."

Very nice. A little creative description goes a very long way towards dealing with situations which are often brought up as "unrealistic" or "weird" or "stupid" or all those other words/phrases which are shorthand for "I don't like it"