Does phasing provoke?

[Ryujin]

Remember, Fourth Edition has nothing in common with real-world physics.

If it did, then Phasing and Insubstantial wouldn't likely be separate conditions.

OK, so that's PARAphysics

 

[DarkLord Of DForce]

Seems to me though, that anyone trying to hit a phased target,
by its very definition, would have to take a huge -penalty to hit.

 

[darkInertia]

Seems to me though, that anyone trying to hit a phased target,
by its very definition, would have to take a huge -penalty to hit.

Except that's not what the definition of phasing in 4e is.

 

[DarkLord Of DForce]

Except that's not what the definition of phasing in 4e is.

Not sure about the exact definition, but the Compendium says you have the ability to ignore difficult terrain, and move through obstacles and other creatures.

If you can do that, then what melee attack from an OA could hit you?

Thanks.

 

[Infiniti2000]

If you can do that, then what melee attack from an OA could hit you?

By which logic, suddenly they're immune to melee attacks. Re: my previous post.

 

[1of3]

If you can do that, then what melee attack from an OA could hit you?

It doesn't say: "This movement does not provoke OAs." That's why the other guy is entitled by the rules to make that attack.

You can totally shift while you phase, though.


If you like an idea for an in-world explanation, you can look at Shadowrun. There, it is will of the attacker that hurts spirits.

 

[Jhaelen]

Not sure about the exact definition, but the Compendium says you have the ability to ignore difficult terrain, and move through obstacles and other creatures.

If you can do that, then what melee attack from an OA could hit you?

Thanks.

All of them. I've often seen the Tactics section of encounter descriptions in official adventure modules explicitly point out that movement while phasing does not make someone immune to opportunity attacks.

 

[eamon]

Not sure about the exact definition, but the Compendium says you have the ability to ignore difficult terrain, and move through obstacles and other creatures.

If you can do that, then what melee attack from an OA could hit you?

AFAIK, most phasing creatures are also insubstantial, and this gives them some resistance to being hit. Specific monsters such as the wraith also have the power to shift many squares, doing exactly what you expect. Finally, just because a wraith may move through you doesn't mean your weapon can't move through it - it just may mean that your weapon is less effective. It varies by edition of D&D and by monster.

In short, phasing alone certainly doesn't have any impact on OA's or attacks in general, though many monsters with phasing will also have other abilities that do matter in this regard.

 

[DreamChaser]

Not sure about the exact definition, but the Compendium says you have the ability to ignore difficult terrain, and move through obstacles and other creatures.

If you can do that, then what melee attack from an OA could hit you?

Thanks.

In order to make an OA, you must threaten the square through which the creature moves which means that in addition to being able to attack, you must have line of sight and line of effect to the square.

If a phasing creature moves through a square occupied by a creature, and you have LOS / LOE and can attack, then you can make an OA; however, a solid object blocks your line of sight and line of effect so if the only adjacent square the phasing creature moves through is one that is occupied by a solid object, then you would not threaten the square and would not gain an OA...

I don't see how it is any more complicated than that.

DC

 

[DarkLord Of DForce]

In order to make an OA, you must threaten the square through which the creature moves which means that in addition to being able to attack, you must have line of sight and line of effect to the square.

If a phasing creature moves through a square occupied by a creature, and you have LOS / LOE and can attack, then you can make an OA; however, a solid object blocks your line of sight and line of effect so if the only adjacent square the phasing creature moves through is one that is occupied by a solid object, then you would not threaten the square and would not gain an OA...

I don't see how it is any more complicated than that.

DC

To make it even more interesting though, and just for the sake of argument, the NPC you are passing is engaged in combat with someone from your team - so its back is to you. So technically it doesn't have LOS because its facing the wrong way...

Just kidding - but I figured someone would bring that small detail up...