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Message: <blockquote data-quote="FormerlyHemlock" data-source="post: 7135922" data-attributes="member: 6787650">I don't vouch for C&T, 3.x, or 4E, but 2nd edition rules (non-C&T) fit pretty well with reality: you could withdraw at 1/3 speed at no penalty, or turn your back and flee at full speed, and the enemy is allowed a free attack (or multiple free attacks if it has multiple attacks normally). You had the choice between dropping your guard or not; keeping your guard up made you move slower but it was up to you. That's how real life works too.In 5E, opportunity attacks are not triggered by dropping your guard--they're triggered by voluntary movement. If we assume that you're spending your action this turn on e.g. drinking a potion instead of Disengaging, the following are all (absurdly) true in 5E:(1) If you take two steps backward (5') while drinking the potion, the enemy gets a free attack if he's wielding a longsword.(2) If you take two steps backward (5') while drinking the potion, an enemy with a whip or halberd doesn't get a free attack even though it can attack you without penalty from 5' away--because you're not "about to leave [its] reach."(3) If you take two steps backward (5') while drinking the potion, an enemy with a longsword in one hand and a whip in the other still doesn't get a free attack with the longsword because you're still not about to leave its reach. Holding a whip actually prevents it from exploiting the opportunity!(4) If someone (ally or enemy) shoves you backward (5') while you're drinking the potion, no enemies get a free attack even if they are wielding longswords. Being shoved by an enemy actually leaves you more in control than walking on your own two feet.Furthermore, in 5E, if you trip and fall on your face, there is no opportunity attack. If you're busy casting a spell instead of trading blows in melee, there is no opportunity attack. If someone knocks you out with a Sleep spell and you fall to the ground unconscious, there is no opportunity attack. If you are completely paralyzed, there is no opportunity attack!!! The only thing that creates an opportunity attack is when you are "about to leave an opponent's reach" (as long as you can see it, and it's spending its own Movement/action/reaction). TL;DR In 5E, under reasonably plausible circumstances (opponents with nontrivial static modifiers to their damage and a good chance to hit you), walking around is actually more hazardous to your health than being paralyzed is! That is deeply messed up.</blockquote>

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