D&D 5E Does a monster "know" when a PC is dodging and vice versa?

[TennyZab]

As a DM, if a monster is using the dodge action, do you tell the PCs? Also, when a PC is dodging, do your monsters know this information? Thoughts?

 

[ArchfiendBobbie]

Unless the character dodging is Vash the Stampede? In general, when the player moves out of the way at the last moment. Same as in real life.

 

[cbwjm]

I assume so since I guess it would look like they are dodging around or entering a defensive stance. I know that in my games I will state the actions of the NPCs, so if one is dodging then I will tell the players that.

 

[Jester David]

They opted not to attack, and are positioning themselves for movement and evasion or are ducking behind their shield. It should be pretty obvious for most creatures.

 

[pdzoch]

I agree that it should be obvious to both PC and monster, obvious that it happened, not necessarily obvious that it is going to happen. It is all part of the theatrics and tactics of a melee fight.

 

[Rhenny]

I think the dodge could be unrecognized until after the first creature attacks the dodger. After that it would be obvious.

 

[Shiroiken]

I do not state the specific actions (unless obvious, like attack). When a monster dodges, I describe them as watching carefully and waiting for something (dodging). This can be easily misinterpreted as a Readied Action, which is the intent. They might be Readied or they might be Dodging, and the players have to decided for themselves what it might be. Of course, I seldom have monsters Dodge or Ready anyway, unless there is a tactical reason for it.

As for monsters, it's dependent on INT and normal tactics. A dragon is likely to interpret things better than a kobold. Semi-mindless monsters are just going to attack anyway, usually based on what hurt it the most (or most recently).

 

[ArchfiendBobbie]

I do not state the specific actions (unless obvious, like attack). When a monster dodges, I describe them as watching carefully and waiting for something (dodging). This can be easily misinterpreted as a Readied Action, which is the intent. They might be Readied or they might be Dodging, and the players have to decided for themselves what it might be. Of course, I seldom have monsters Dodge or Ready anyway, unless there is a tactical reason for it.

My comment about Vash the Stampede up above does hint to something I do with some of the more intelligent enemies: Deception. Have them use active deception to make it look like the dodge was entirely accidental. It's open to players as well.

 

[FormerlyHemlock]

As a DM, if a monster is using the dodge action, do you tell the PCs? Also, when a PC is dodging, do your monsters know this information? Thoughts?

Yes, potentially--but because of the initiative system I use, there's a separate declaration phase from an action phase, and less-intelligent monsters have to declare their actions before the PCs. So often PCs are able to out-think the monsters (shorter OODA loops), which means the PCs who are being ganged up on by multiple monsters will be able to declare their Dodge after they know what the monsters are going to do.

The players love this.

 

[Satyrn]

I generally tell my players exactly what the monsters are doing. They can then, obvously, decide to act however they wish. I want their decisions to matter, I want them to be informed so that the players can take the credit for making the good choices, and they can blame themselves for their failures instead of me, or the dice, or even the rules.

In a related manner, I also will tell the players a round or more in advance that a monster is setting up a big maneuver, going nova, or the like. I think its more fun if they can, at least sometimes, maneuver themselves to avoid a dragon's breath, for example, rather than me just declaring the dragon's attack and making them roll a save.