Cover in Melee and contradictions in the PHB vs DMG

[MacMathan]

There are two ways in the RAW to determine Cover for Melee attacks, one on page 280 of the PHB states:

Determining Cover: To determine if a target has
cover, choose a corner of a square you occupy (or
a corner of your attack’s origin square) and trace
imaginary lines from that corner to every corner
of any one square the target occupies. If one or
two of those lines are blocked by an obstacle or an
enemy, the target has cover. (A line isn’t blocked if it
runs along the edge of an obstacle’s or an enemy’s
square.) If three or four of those lines are blocked but
you have line of effect, the target has superior cover.

The other on pg 43 of the DMG states:

DETERMINING COVER FOR MELEE ATTACKS

􀀃 Defender’s Burden: The target of a melee attack
has to prove that it has cover. That proof consists of
a line between the attacker and the defender that is
blocked by a solid object.

􀀃 Corner to Corner: The defender has cover if an
imaginary line from a corner of the attacker’s space
to a corner of the defender’s space is blocked.

􀀃 Getting Technical: If you need to be extremely
precise, choose a square the attacker occupies and
a square the defender occupies. Draw an imaginary
line from every corner of the attacker’s space to every
corner of the defender’s space. If even one line is
obstructed, the defender has cover. (A line that runs
parallel right along a wall isn’t blocked.)

􀀃 Superior Cover: Only specific terrain features (such
as grates and arrow slits) grant superior cover from
melee attacks.

What I would like to know is how is your group handling it and or which version do you prefer via the poll. If you have a house rule please post below.

 

[ForbidenMaster]

Maybe I am just not seeing it, but can you please point out where they contradict?

 

[GorTeX]

Could it be that the PHB description is for cover in general and the DMG description is for Cover in Melee?

 

[MacMathan]

It is that the PHB version of the Cover rules basically make it so for melee the Attacker chooses the corner that is the best for him.

The DMG version gives that right to the Defender in terms of which corner to corner line determines if there is cover.

 

[ObsidianCrane]

I believe the idea is for the players to work out cover, when they are attacking and defending.

I've ruled in defenders favor when it came up.

 

[frankthedm]

OP, you might want to edit the text so wordwrap takes over.

 

[Dysmachia]

The rules in the DMG are optional and supercede the PHB rules. Read the introductory paragraph.

 

[Syrsuro]

The rules in the DMG are optional and supercede the PHB rules. Read the introductory paragraph.

They can't be both optional and supercede the PHB.

But your point is valid. The DMG rules are a more complicated approach whereas the PHB rules are the quicker and faster approach. More significantly, the DMG distinguishes between cover for ranged and melee attacks, while the PHB rules use only one (the DMG ranged system) to determine cover.

I have been using the PHB rules, although I've flip-flopped a couple times on how to deal with corners. At present, they are not providing cover for melee, although I really think they should: if you can't step there, it seems like there is something blocking you and thus there ought to be something blocking your attacks. But since lines along walls aren't blocked the corner isn't providing cover according to "Determing Cover" on p280, PHB.

By the DMG, of course, a hard corner would provide cover.

Bottom Line: I've been using the PHB rules, but will likely start using the DMG rules from now on.

Carl

 

[NeoNick]

After a rather serious quarrel in our game group how to interpret cover and /the new/ stealth, both rogues in two different campaigns resigned/refrained to NO range strikes until Wizard gives a clarification on cover and stealth. (that's why I answered houserule)

I really think Wizard has done a god job on D&D 4ed in all parts except stealth and cover. In that area Wizard have IMO been unclear, incompetent and hiding without giving any more clarifications on the subject. I don't think Wizard realize how much hard and sometimes damaging debates this can create (as the ranged rogue viability depends on the interpretations)!

 

[Charwoman Gene]

They can't be both optional and supercede the PHB.

So, they are not optional, and supercede the PHB. Valid, but why aren't they i n the PHB?

Or they are optional but dio not supercede, so they do nothing?

I think optional rules HAVE to supercede the PHB.