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<blockquote data-quote="eamon" data-source="post: 5007525" data-attributes="member: 51942">I wouldn't put that so strongly.&nbsp; There is a definition in the combat section, where attacks are described and all the various situational bonuses (flanking etc) are highlighted.&nbsp; This is the definition - clearly - of an attack.&nbsp; Nevertheless, the word attack is also used descriptively (as in &quot;the monster viciously attacked&quot;) and as a modifier describing a class of powers (&quot;attack powers&quot;).&nbsp; Unfortunately, this means that some texts refer to an attack when they probably don't mean (or shouldn't mean) the combat section rules.In general though, When a combat mechanic refers to &quot;an attack&quot;, barring relevant context to the contrary, it's a safe assumption they mean an attack as per the combat section: one that might provoke an OA, that might break stealth, that might flank, that gets certain bonuses and penalties when you are prone, etc.I wouldn't call those &quot;attacks&quot; - for instance, you can't get combat advantage with them (e.g. by flanking); and they aren't melee/ranged/close or area.The word &quot;attack&quot; is sometimes used ambiguously, and sometimes it's even likely to have been mis-used in confusion.&nbsp; But because these cases occur does not mean that they occur commonly; they are the exception.&nbsp; The vast majority of cases, the plain combat-section defined attack rules are applicable.&nbsp; You don't flank when using an attack power, you flank when using an attack.So, while there are confusing spots where the combat-section definition is probably not what was meant (or what's best), the existence of said confusing bits doesn't mean the general rule is nowhere useful.&nbsp; There is a combat section on attacks; its rules work just fine in the vast majority of cases.However, I saw that you resuscitated the old thread...&nbsp;If there is disagreement on the above assessment of the status of attacks, then I suppose we could attempt to restore the thread to its former glory ;-).</blockquote>

[QUOTE="eamon, post: 5007525, member: 51942"] I wouldn't put that so strongly. There [I]is[/I] a definition in the combat section, where attacks are described and all the various situational bonuses (flanking etc) are highlighted. This is the definition - clearly - of an attack. Nevertheless, the [I]word[/I] attack is also used descriptively (as in "the monster viciously attacked") and as a modifier describing a class of powers ("attack powers"). Unfortunately, this means that some texts refer to an attack when they probably don't mean (or shouldn't mean) the combat section rules. In general though, When a combat mechanic refers to "an attack", barring relevant context to the contrary, it's a safe assumption they mean an attack as per the combat section: one that might provoke an OA, that might break stealth, that might flank, that gets certain bonuses and penalties when you are prone, etc. I wouldn't call those "attacks" - for instance, you can't get combat advantage with them (e.g. by flanking); and they aren't melee/ranged/close or area. The word "attack" is sometimes used ambiguously, and sometimes it's even likely to have been mis-used in confusion. But because these cases [I]occur[/I] does not mean that they occur [I]commonly[/I]; they are the exception. The vast majority of cases, the plain combat-section defined attack rules are applicable. You don't flank when using an attack [I]power[/I], you flank when using an [I]attack[/I]. So, while there are confusing spots where the combat-section definition is probably not what was meant (or what's best), the existence of said confusing bits doesn't mean the general rule is [I]nowhere[/I] useful. There is a combat section on attacks; its rules work just fine in the vast majority of cases. However, I saw that you resuscitated the old thread... If there is disagreement on the above assessment of the status of attacks, then I suppose we could attempt to restore the thread to its former glory ;-). [/QUOTE]

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