Ignoring Flankers?

[Ogrork the Mighty]

A creature that is flanked allows rogues to sneak attack. What if the creature chooses to completely ignore one of the flankers? Specifically, if the flanker is such a minute threat that it isn't worth paying attention to.

I was thinking that the ignored creature would get an AoO each round it is ignored and the ignorer would lose Dex bonuses to AC. In return, the ignorer would not be considered flanked due to the ignored creature.

How does this sound?

 

[apesamongus]

How does this sound?

Abusive.

 

[Thanee]

It sounds like making Sneak Attack pretty much obsolete.

The flanking rules are a bit weird, but there are also balance reasons, so tinkering with them is not the best idea, unless you change the whole system, which is based on flanking.

Bye
Thanee

 

[domino]

I'd say that the ignorer not only loses dex bonus, but is considered to have a dex of zero, loses all other dodge bonuses, looses any sheild bonuses, any insight bonuses to AC and cannot use expertise, or any other feats that might add to his AC.

And still draws an AoO against the ignored opponent.

And takes a -2 penalty to reflex and will saves against that opponent, too.

And a grapple check automatically suceeds against you (and you don't get an AoO, on account of you don't see it coming.)

 

[Storyteller01]

A creature that is flanked allows rogues to sneak attack. What if the creature chooses to completely ignore one of the flankers? Specifically, if the flanker is such a minute threat that it isn't worth paying attention to.

I was thinking that the ignored creature would get an AoO each round it is ignored and the ignorer would lose Dex bonuses to AC. In return, the ignorer would not be considered flanked due to the ignored creature.

How does this sound?

If your ingnoring the other opponent, I'd consider it an automatic hit. Your not even trying to avoid the person.

You nave a choice: power attacking barabrina, or sneak attacking rogue.

 

[Nifft]

The way you indicate to a foe that he is not a threat is that you cleave through him. Then you can ignore him safely.

-- N

 

[domino]

If your ingnoring the other opponent, I'd consider it an automatic hit. Your not even trying to avoid the person.

You nave a choice: power attacking barabrina, or sneak attacking rogue.

I thought about doing that for my variation. However, just because you're ignoring the person doesn't mean your armor or natural armor comes into play. That's why I just severely limited what does add to his AC.

And of course, his effective dex of 0, as you're completly ignoring the person. All that stuff means they're probably going to be hitting you no matter what.

If it wouldn't put them at risk for Coup De Graces, I'd have them considered helpless, even.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Buried thread..

IIRC the last time this thought came up.. a couple pages back I think.. the result was that the ignored character is treated as if invisible.

Simple and relatively elegant.

Not too sure how many people are going to go around ignoring an opponent who has a sharp pointy thing to stab them with tho

 

[Storyteller01]

IIRC the last time this thought came up.. a couple pages back I think.. the result was that the ignored character is treated as if invisible.

Simple and relatively elegant.

Not too sure how many people are going to go around ignoring an opponent who has a sharp pointy thing to stab them with tho

Rather nice solution. STOLEN!!

 

[Nifft]

the ignored character is treated as if invisible.
Simple and relatively elegant.

Nice.

-- N