Mosters stepping during a full attack

[Xahn'Tyr]

Full attack [Full][AoO: No]

Description: If a combatant gets more than one
attack per action, the combatant must use the full attack action
to use those additional attacks. A combatant does not need to
specify the targets of a the attacks ahead of time. A combatant
can see how the earlier attacks turn out before assigning the
later ones.

The combatant may take a 5 ft. step before,
after, or between the attacks.

So it is clear that 6th level fighter could attack, step, and attack. I also believe that a 3rd level ranger with two weapons could make his primary attack, step, and then make his off-hand attack. But could a gargoyle do his claw, his other claw, then step and do his bite and gore?

I'm thinking yes, but I was in the minority at our particular table last night so I thought I would ask for confirmation one way or the other. Thanks for the help!

 

[hong]

Of course they can step. What would make people think that they couldn't?

 

[Xahn'Tyr]

I believe that the gist of the argument was that then Spring Attack would be useless. (Not saying I agree, just trying to answer your question.)

But to summarize the argument that I could not think of in the middle of battle late last night, I guess I should have told them:

"You cannot attack, MOVE, and then attack, but you can take a 5ft step (which is not a move, nor a move equivalent if you have made no other actual movement this turn)."

Does that sum it up?

 

[hong]

I believe that the gist of the argument was that then Spring Attack would be useless. (Not saying I agree, just trying to answer your question.)

Your players must be misinterpreting what a "5-foot step" is. You can make _one_ 5-foot step in the middle of a full attack. They must be thinking that you can make multiple steps, each of which is 5 feet.

But to summarize the argument that I could not think of in the middle of battle late last night, I guess I should have told them:

"You cannot attack, MOVE, and then attack, but you can take a 5ft step (which is not a move, nor a move equivalent if you have made no other actual movement this turn)."

Does that sum it up?

That should be good enough.