Mounts - evasive maneuvers

[Thanee]

I don't think it's too bad in general, because the character in question is restricted to taking two or fewer move actions in combat, so can't take any effective offensive actions - they're concentrating purely upon dodging.

Actually, it doesn't hinder the character at all, since the character isn't using an action to move (well no more than a free action, anyways). Only melee combat is restricted that way (and there might be a penalty for ranged combat), but obviously, melee combat is no option to begin with.

It's not a balance consideration, which I am speaking of, it's about the abstract nature of combat. If you identify this tactic as unfitting, there are two options (apart from simply ignoring it)... counteract by changing the rules to give more adaptability to the acting combatant (i.e. allow to switch actions/targets at that point), or simply disallow this tactic. The latter seems a little cleaner to me, since it only removes something, which shouldn't be there to begin with.

Bye
Thanee

 

[RangerWickett]

Actually, it doesn't hinder the character at all, since the character isn't using an action to move (well no more than a free action, anyways). Only melee combat is restricted that way (and there might be a penalty for ranged combat), but obviously, melee combat is no option to begin with.

It's not a balance consideration, which I am speaking of, it's about the abstract nature of combat. If you identify this tactic as unfitting, there are two options (apart from simply ignoring it)... counteract by changing the rules to give more adaptability to the acting combatant (i.e. allow to switch actions/targets at that point), or simply disallow this tactic. The latter seems a little cleaner to me, since it only removes something, which shouldn't be there to begin with.

Bye
Thanee

The thing is, normally in D&D combat there is no good way to represent things like outrunning an opponent. If you're nimble and all you do is trying to avoid someone, you should be able to do it, even in a small arena. By the D&D rules, if you don't have, say, 100 ft of free space to sprint across, your opponent is going to reach you, whereas in reality you might run circles with your foe just a few feet behind you. This is kinda like why car chases in D20 Modern suck, because people leapfrogging after each other is not how we like envisioning pursuit.

 

[shilsen]

The thing is, normally in D&D combat there is no good way to represent things like outrunning an opponent. If you're nimble and all you do is trying to avoid someone, you should be able to do it, even in a small arena. By the D&D rules, if you don't have, say, 100 ft of free space to sprint across, your opponent is going to reach you, whereas in reality you might run circles with your foe just a few feet behind you. This is kinda like why car chases in D20 Modern suck, because people leapfrogging after each other is not how we like envisioning pursuit.

Readied actions will let you do it. Take a move and ready another move for when the enemy is a certain distance from you. If his speed is lower than yours, he'll never catch up.

 

[Thanee]

The thing is, normally in D&D combat there is no good way to represent things like outrunning an opponent. If you're nimble and all you do is trying to avoid someone, you should be able to do it, even in a small arena. By the D&D rules, if you don't have, say, 100 ft of free space to sprint across, your opponent is going to reach you, whereas in reality you might run circles with your foe just a few feet behind you.

At least so long, as your opponent is following you.

But yeah, I certainly see where you come from, just pointing out, that these sort of actions can pretty easily be abused, to interrupt attacks and whatnot. Like in the example with the breath weapon, being able to *suddenly* jump away 30+ feet to avoid the area is just plain silly.

There certainly are some situations where this kind of readying would work, but I don't think there are a lot of those.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Have you checked out "Hot Pursuit" chase rules? They are pretty good, altho focused on the 2D world of land based chases.

I think the ready a move to dodge is a good way to abstract the nimbleness of the Eagle versus the Dragon. The dodge would occur before the triggering event, allowing the Dragon to change targets. Depending on how tightly you want to define ready actions, and ignore the sillyness of retro-active changes fo the battlefield, you could even read the RAW to allow the Dragon to change the action from an attack to a second move.

{never mind the 'if he changed his action then the ready action would not have triggered...' spiral of contradictions}

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Actually, it doesn't hinder the character at all, since the character isn't using an action to move (well no more than a free action, anyways). Only melee combat is restricted that way (and there might be a penalty for ranged combat), but obviously, melee combat is no option to begin with.

It's not a balance consideration, which I am speaking of, it's about the abstract nature of combat. If you identify this tactic as unfitting, there are two options (apart from simply ignoring it)... counteract by changing the rules to give more adaptability to the acting combatant (i.e. allow to switch actions/targets at that point), or simply disallow this tactic. The latter seems a little cleaner to me, since it only removes something, which shouldn't be there to begin with.

I agree 237%.

 

[boolean]

I'm curious, though, how does one go about getting a mount to ready an action? I want to take my full attack with my bow, which is my action. Can I direct the eagle with my knees such that it knows to wait until the last minute to move, or does it require a trick for it to use this sort of maneuvering, or is it simply impossible?

The Dire Eagle is 2 Int, like an animal? If so, I would say this would require a trick, which then takes a Handle Animal check as a move action, or a "push" which takes a Handle Animal check as a full round action. Reduce these to a free action or move action if your character is a druid or ranger and the Dire Eagle is your animal companion.

So, you may not be able to full attack.