Is this too much?

[Ferox4]

I realize that this is not allowed by the standard rules (hence House Rules post), but I was wondering if this proposed house rule is acceptable:

If a PC does not use his entire base movement he can then ready a "5' step and attack when .......(set conditions)" Early on we were playing this way until we realized our error. PCs were using it mainly to get in to melee with creatures with 10' reach without suffering the AoO. Does this diminish the whole AoO thing and/or is it just silly? Perhaps if the PC uses only half his base movement or less he could do this? I dunno.

Some players are lobbying for this and I am not sold on it. I don't like the idea of taking the AoOs away from Giants and the like - it's one of their advantages to attack from 10' then next round take the 5' and full round action. There needs to either be more of a penalty (movement is not enough, IMO) or perhaps some opposed roll when the ready triggers, failure by the PC resulting in an AoO by the opponent.

Well, now that I've asked and answered my question I will await the fallout.

Cheers, F4

 

[Vaxalon]

Nope, it's too much.

None of the PC's are using reach weapons, I take it?

Here's a tactic to convince the PC's that it's not a good idea. Use the rule, equip the PC's with longspears, and swarm them with kobolds.

 

[Ferox4]

None of the PCs use reech weapons as yet despite the fact that I've done some hefty damage to them with spiked chains and other reach weapons.

Your point is well taken.

 

[The_Gneech]

Vaxalon just about said it all -- under the system you describe, monsters with reach get the shaft. If the players are really lobbying for it, just tell them that you'll also amend your house rules such that entering the threatened area of a creature with reach provokes an attack of opportunity. They may not like the idea so much then.

-The Gneech