Movement and Ready Action

[daemonslye]

Here is the situation:

The classic flying wizard with DC28 spells (speed 90)
vs a large air elemental "LAE" (speed 100) with a silence spell
cast on it.

1. LAE, from 30' away readies a partial move if the wizard
starts to cast a spell

2. Wizard begins spell and it is toasted by the silence (or is it? does this interrupt the spell? or because it happens "just before" the wizard has a chance to change his action?) as the elemental moves within 5'; The wizard can use a move to get away but draws an AOO (which would be a grapple by the LAE).

3. Assuming the wizard avoids the grapple,

A) can the LAE continue its move to stay with the wizard? (assuming the wizard does not have enough room to get more than 60' away) Or

B) does it move 30' and because it stopped, it cannot continue
to move as part of its partial action?

I believe by the "turn-based" rules it would be "B". If this is the case, how does anyone chase anyone else with any effectiveness? When running around corners, you should be basically right behind your quarry, but with turns as they are, the pursued can round a corner and move through a doorway 30' beyond before your turn and you have no way to find them (assuming multiple exits) other than a listen check
(at minuses: -3 for 30' -20 combat, +20 running, etc - Yes, I know the elemental in the example will not be using listen..).

Are there better ways to run this?

Thanks,

~D

 

[Stalker0]

THE LAE could move 30 feet max. Actually what happens, is the LAE move to the wizard. The silence would take out the wizard's spell, since readied actions occur before the action that set them off. Once the LAE is up to the wizard (or he went 30 feet), he's done moving and can't move any farther.

And yes you attempt to grapple the wizard on that partial charge.

 

[Dark Dragon]

Well, I'd say that the wizard can't move when he starts casting a spell. So, the LAE moves to the wiz, silences him and cancels the spell (unless it's a silent spell). He can move only before or after casting a spell. If moves after his (failed) spell he gets an AoO from the LAE... But the LAE is not allowed to follow the wizard if he retreats on his (the wizzie's) action. So, point B seems to be right.
A smarter tactic would be to ready a partial charge instead of a partial move: the LAE silences AND attacks the wizard.

 

[Dark Dragon]

:snip:
And yes you attempt to grapple the wizard on that partial charge.

Yep (the wizard should have prepared a silent DD... ).

 

[0-hr]

LAE readies to approach the wizard if he starts to cast.

The wizard starts to cast, which triggers the readied action.

The LAE moves up to the wizard and is done.

The wizard's spell is foiled and the wizard has wasted that action, he probably still has a MEA left.


- - -

The LAE cannot charge and grapple the wizard unless he had readied an action to "attack the wizard if he starts to cast". And note that a readied "attack" can include a charge if needed to complete the action. Though it is a DM call, readying just "to move" sounds a bit vague to me. I would make the creature ready to move in a specific fashion (ie. "run away", "dive for cover", or "approach the wizard").

 

[Azazu]

I know what deamonslye is saying about moving with a target, but the rules as writen dont allow it. Readying an action only allows you a partial action. In this situation a single move or a partial charge would have been the options. A grapple would have been the best bet.

Rule 0 is always an option to allow this tactic.

 

[daemonslye]

So there is really no way in the current rule set for
a creature to "stay with their opponent" even if they have
a faster move and devote all actions every round to this
action. (Unless, of course, the wizard decides not to risk
the AOO and does not move)

Too bad.

So it looks like the only tactic that is useful if you don't
want to lose your opponent is a charge - grapple and
hold/pin.

A question: Can a creature with natural weapons take
a full attack action on the round after a hold? I thought
the grapple check was a standard action (and thus only
one primary attack for damage). What if the creature has
a high BAB (I suppose the same as above because you
cannot make a full attack?)?

Thanks

~D