We're so close to release date that worrying about what they're going to do is kinda moot. We'll find out what's what and what's rumor soon.
D&D (2024) Flanking no more in D&D 2024?
- Thread starter darjr
- Start date
We're so close to release date that worrying about what they're going to do is kinda moot. We'll find out what's what and what's rumor soon.
In my experience, the monsters are typically grouped in small clumps and the PCs are tightly clustered when the attack begins. Therefore, it's easier and faster for the players to set up flanking than for the monsters. So I would guess this approach is likely to lead to flanking being used by the players only, without the monsters getting the chance to retaliate.
TwoSix
Everyone's literal second-favorite poster
I've tried out a bunch of flanking rules over the years. I generally like flanking because core 5e is definitely tilted towards ranged attacking, and flanking gives (what I feel is) a necessary buff to melee.
My current flanking house rule is that whenever a target is flanked, the attacker can treat any roll of a 2 as a 20. Basically a +1 to hit and +5% chance to crit chance that stacks with other buffs.
My current flanking house rule is that whenever a target is flanked, the attacker can treat any roll of a 2 as a 20. Basically a +1 to hit and +5% chance to crit chance that stacks with other buffs.
Stormonu
NeoGrognard
I've been using the flanking rules since the start of 5E, think I might switch to a +1 bonus per outnumbering attacker (max +4). That way, forming a line abreast or back-to-back can help stave off being outmatched, but if you get surrounded it really puts you in a bad position. And you can then still get Advantage/Disadvantage and the Rogue can still sneak attack without automatically having Advantage on the attack.
I haven't been using flanking in 5e anyway. It is too easy to get with free movement and no AoO for moving around an opponent, and advantage is too big a bonus.
It does make me think, however, that there perhaps should be a "Pack attack" fighting style, giving advantage if you're attacking an enemy adjacent to one or more of your allies. That way, flanking would be a thing you need to specifically learn to utilize.
It does make me think, however, that there perhaps should be a "Pack attack" fighting style, giving advantage if you're attacking an enemy adjacent to one or more of your allies. That way, flanking would be a thing you need to specifically learn to utilize.
FitzTheRuke
Legend
My biggest problem with flanking was when running into people who just thought it was the general rule (my bet is that they came from 3.5, or from 5e games under DMs who came from 3.5).
I think that 5e quite effectively models how screwed you can be when you're outnumbered, without adding an unnecessary mechanic to it. I'm fine with no flanking. I'm a little more concerned with no optional rules at all, if only because I like variant rules to exist, even if I don't tend to use them.
OTOH, I'd be happy for a big ol' kitbashing book to come out separately (though I don't expect it) and for the DMG to be pure base "this is how most people do it".
I think that 5e quite effectively models how screwed you can be when you're outnumbered, without adding an unnecessary mechanic to it. I'm fine with no flanking. I'm a little more concerned with no optional rules at all, if only because I like variant rules to exist, even if I don't tend to use them.
OTOH, I'd be happy for a big ol' kitbashing book to come out separately (though I don't expect it) and for the DMG to be pure base "this is how most people do it".
abirdcall
(she/her)
For me it's a matter of what they've put in those pages.
The 2024 DMG is 384 pages while the 2014 one is 320 pages. So they've already won my good will by increasing the amount of content while not even raising the price despite 10 years of rather high inflation.
If they used those pages well then I'm contented that they haven't taken up room with optional rules.
The font is bigger and there's more art. The 2024 PHB has more pages but fewer words than the 2014 PHB.
abirdcall
(she/her)
You have the word count?
What is it?
Also, I love art and greatly appreciate that there is more of it.
2014 handbook fits about 840 words average per page and 2024 fits about 720 words.
Based on this, 2024 word count is about 96% of 2014 edition.
I do agree that the 2024 books are not overpriced. But I feel like they keep overhyping the page count of the 2024 books as being the "biggest ever" even though in terms of actual text, they generally have a bit less than the 2014 books contained.
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