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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Water Bob" data-source="post: 5412447" data-attributes="member: 92305">This is how I think the rule is supposed to be (but I'd sure like some official input on this). In order to Dodge, the dodging character must have at least one adjacent square empty or with a friendly unit in it. That much is said in the book. A dodging character cannot move into another square while dodging unless he uses the Dance Aside maneuver (along with its requirements). So, why does a character who does not qualify for the Dance Aside maneuver (let's say he has DEX 12) need at least one open or friendly occupied space adjacent to the space he currently occupies? Well, for meta-game reasons, it's a visual que to the players to show who can dodge and who cannot on the battleboard. For an in-game reason, it's about space needed to dodge, weapon length, and avoiding all blows. If a character is surrounded except for the square behind him, then we know in which direction he will dodge when he needs to. The 5 Food Step says that it is only possible to take it if the character has not taken any movement in the round previously. Yet, the Dance Aside maneuver is an Instant Action (which makes it a Free Action). Therefore, if a character uses the Dance Aside before his turn later in the round, he is not allowed to move. He cannot take the 5 foot step, and he cannot move farther. He already took his movement when doing the Dance Aside. But...if the character goes first and moves, he can use the Dance Aside later in the round and move an additonal 5 feet. That interpretation serves both rules. Thus, a character with DEX 12, must have at least one open or friendly occupied adjacent space in order to be able to dodge. Otherwise, the character must use parry. A character with DEX 13+ can use the Dance Aside maneuver to move into an adjacent 5 foot space provided the enemy's attack throw is less than or equal to half the defender's dodge score. If a character moves at all early in the round, including the Dance Aside, the character is not allowed to take his 5 foot step (or any other movement) during his combat round. But, if the same character is attacked later in the round, and Dance Aside is possible, then the character may move the extra 5 feet with the Dance Aside. That's the way I'm reading the rules.</blockquote>

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