Chasing using RAW

[Lopke_Quasath]

How do other DMs deal with a chase?

If two characters have the same movement rate, the chase, by RAW, would go on forever in most circumstances.

Please tell me what you do with a chase. We had a most unsatisfactory ending to a session because of a chase.

Cheers

 

[shilsen]

There are a couple of things within the RAW that prevent a chase between two people having the same speed taking too long. Firstly, if both characters are running, they need to start making Con checks after a while (PHB pg. 144), so one is sure to have to stop soon enough.

Secondly, if they started next to each other, the Run action draws an AoO. So the fleeing person will draw an AoO every round (since the pursuer, who has the same speed, ends each round next to the pursued). If the pursuer uses the AoO to trip or grapple and succeeds, the chase is over.

Also, running in D&D presumes being able to move in a straight line. That may not be possible, which'll drop speed down to a double move and probably require more maneuvering. If there are low obstructions, a character who can make Jump checks to hurdle them will easily leave behind (or catch up to) one who cannot.

That's all off just the RAW. You can do a lot more by house-ruling in things or by using some of the chase-related products out there. A highly recommended one is ENWorld's barsoomcore's Hot Pursuit (I and II).

 

[Iku Rex]

From the SRD:

Evasion And Pursuit

In round-by-round movement, simply counting off squares, it’s impossible for a slow character to get away from a determined fast character without mitigating circumstances. Likewise, it’s no problem for a fast character to get away from a slower one.

When the speeds of the two concerned characters are equal, there’s a simple way to resolve a chase: If one creature is pursuing another, both are moving at the same speed, and the chase continues for at least a few rounds, have them make opposed Dexterity checks to see who is the faster over those rounds. If the creature being chased wins, it escapes. If the pursuer wins, it catches the fleeing creature.

Sometimes a chase occurs overland and could last all day, with the two sides only occasionally getting glimpses of each other at a distance. In the case of a long chase, an opposed Constitution check made by all parties determines which can keep pace the longest. If the creature being chased rolls the highest, it gets away. If not, the chaser runs down its prey, outlasting it with stamina. -- http://www.d20srd.org/srd/movement.htm

 

[Lopke_Quasath]

Thanks for the quick replies.

The chase in question happened inside a building, and went up and down stairs and in corridors.
Those corridor moments were when the awkward rules came up, "The assassin makes a double move. I make a double move. I am now directly behind the assassin. Assassin Withdraws, no AoO. Repeat"
At the end the assassin running away made an easy Balance check to Run down the stairs, taking the AoO. However, our Barbarian Dervish with 50' movement was still trying to keep up. It was very unsatisfying, and the DM was also a little confused on the rules.

Well, good to know there is no easy way by RAW.

Thanks for info, will look into other sources for the future.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Those corridor moments were when the awkward rules came up, "The assassin makes a double move. I make a double move. I am now directly behind the assassin. Assassin Withdraws, no AoO. Repeat"

If any of the corridors were straight lines, you don't double move... you Charge. And the attack you make at the end of your Charge is either a Grapple or Trip attempt.

-Hyp.