Cover in Melee and contradictions in the PHB vs DMG

[Pielorinho]

Houserule time: what about this rule?

Draw a line from the center of your square to the center of your target's square. If it goes through adjacent sides (but not opposite sides) of a square that provides cover, your target has cover. If it goes through opposite sides of a square that provides cover, your target has superior cover.

Quick and relatively easy, and roughly analogous to flanking rules.

 

[Hypersmurf]

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

They're optional (they come into effect "if [the DM] want rules that determine cover more precisely"), and if they're being used at all, they supercede the PHB.

If the DM doesn't want rules that determine cover more precisely, then these rules aren't used, and the PHB rules remain in force.

-Hyp.

 

[Syrsuro]

I know. I was being picky.

But to say "They are optional and they supercede the rules in the PHB" is to say:

They are optional (true)
They supercede (not true)

As noted above, they are optional and, if used, supercede the rules in the PHB.

Carl