Elocator "Flanker" Ability Question

[Goddess FallenAngel]

Okay, I don't quite understand this ability:

Flanker (Ex)
An elocater of 4th level or higher can flank enemies from seemingly impossible angles. She can designate any adjacent square as the square from which flanking against an ally is determined (including the square where she stands, as normal). She can designate the square at the beginning of her turn or at any time during her turn. The designated square remains her effective square for flanking until she is no longer adjacent to it or until she chooses a different square (at the start of one of her turns). The character can even choose a square that is impassable or occupied.

Does this mean that only your ally gets the flanking bonus (as you aren't actually in the square you designate), or do both of you?

 

[Nifft]

Here's my reading of the lines that are giving you trouble:

She can designate any adjacent square as the square from which flanking against an ally is determined (including the square where she stands, as normal).

In this line, "flanking against an ally" mentions ally, but not to restrict the ability -- just to clarify that flanking still requires an ally (i.e. you can't flank with yourself, even if you have reach).

She can designate the square at the beginning of her turn or at any time during her turn. The designated square remains her effective square for flanking until she is no longer adjacent to it or until she chooses a different square (at the start of one of her turns).

IMHO this leaves no room for interpretation: it's general, and it's not overruled by any specifics.

For all effects that hinge on flanking, the designated square is her square. She gets to sneak attack, and she gets a +2 bonus on attack rolls.

Cheers, -- N

 

[moritheil]

Nifft's reading looks identical with how I rule it IMC.

Basically the elocater can pretend to be attacking from an adjacent square and resolve everything accordingly.

 

[Goddess FallenAngel]

Thanks, guys! I must be braindead today... I read that 3 times and it still didn't make sense.