Movement in combat
- Thread starter Maldur
- Start date
Mordane76
First Post
Sounds fine, actually, other than the potential AoO for moving out of the threatened square to get around the opponent.
There are several situations possible though, depending on initiative and which round of combat it was:
In first round of combat, if the attacker had gone before the rogue, but the comrade had not, then the Rogue could not sneak attack or receive a flanking bonus. The opponent would not be flat-footed (because he's acted) and the comrade would not threaten the opponent (because the comrade is flat-footed), so the opponent is not technically flanked yet. Also, attempting to move behind the opponent from the position described would provoke an AoO.
In the first round of combat, as long as the opponent has not gone, he is flat-footed and can be sneak attacked, even if the rogue does not move before attacking. If he moves, he will not provoke an AoO (because the opponent is flat-footed and does not threaten any squares), but he would not receive a flanking bonus unless his comrade had already gone (thus not being flat-footed anymore).
In subsequent rounds of combat, no one is considering flat-footed any longer, so as long as the rogue can flank the opponent, he can sneak attack and receive the flanking bonus. He may have to deal with an AoO to get there, however.
There are several situations possible though, depending on initiative and which round of combat it was:
In first round of combat, if the attacker had gone before the rogue, but the comrade had not, then the Rogue could not sneak attack or receive a flanking bonus. The opponent would not be flat-footed (because he's acted) and the comrade would not threaten the opponent (because the comrade is flat-footed), so the opponent is not technically flanked yet. Also, attempting to move behind the opponent from the position described would provoke an AoO.
In the first round of combat, as long as the opponent has not gone, he is flat-footed and can be sneak attacked, even if the rogue does not move before attacking. If he moves, he will not provoke an AoO (because the opponent is flat-footed and does not threaten any squares), but he would not receive a flanking bonus unless his comrade had already gone (thus not being flat-footed anymore).
In subsequent rounds of combat, no one is considering flat-footed any longer, so as long as the rogue can flank the opponent, he can sneak attack and receive the flanking bonus. He may have to deal with an AoO to get there, however.
Last edited:
dcollins
Explorer
Good question. I've somewhat codified these things in the campaign I DM, which may be more strict than some players like. At this point, I would ask the player to move his miniature as he desires to that position, and any square he puts it in, that's where the rogue steps. This may create an AOO if he's not careful (same thing in reverse when the DM moves monsters).
Actually, I really prefer it when a player clearly announces an action on their round like this. The problem I have in my game is some player picking up their mini like it's a chess game and trying out one, two, three, four different possible moves to see if they have enough movement and avoid AOOs prior to announcing an action. I've established a house rule that prohibits that, says that if they move the mini the character actually moves that way, and recommends calling out a clear action when its their turn.
Actually, I really prefer it when a player clearly announces an action on their round like this. The problem I have in my game is some player picking up their mini like it's a chess game and trying out one, two, three, four different possible moves to see if they have enough movement and avoid AOOs prior to announcing an action. I've established a house rule that prohibits that, says that if they move the mini the character actually moves that way, and recommends calling out a clear action when its their turn.
Ranger REG
Explorer
Meh. I let him. As a DM, I will only interrupt if the action or movement provoke AoO.Maldur said:
Even presuming that they have the same initiative or that one rogue delayed so that they have, the two rogues cannot act simultaneously. One of the two will have to act first, resolve their whole round and then the second rogue can move and attack.
Thus, the first rogue to act would not gain sneak attacks unless the enemy started off in melee range of the second one.
Thus:
Rogue 1 : Move - attack (not sneak) *is flanking*
Rogue 2 : Move - sneak attack
There is a way around this, though. Rogue 1 could move, flank and ready an action to attack when rogue 2 flanks.
Thus, the first rogue to act would not gain sneak attacks unless the enemy started off in melee range of the second one.
Thus:
Rogue 1 : Move - attack (not sneak) *is flanking*
Rogue 2 : Move - sneak attack
There is a way around this, though. Rogue 1 could move, flank and ready an action to attack when rogue 2 flanks.
UltimaGabe
First Post
Maldur said:
Um... I don't see what the confusion is. If he is able to move (that is, he isn't heavily encumbered or otherwise hindered from going about his business), then there's nothing stopping him from moving to a flanking position. In fact, that's what rogues are SUPPOSED to do in combat. His movement would incur an attack opportunity if he didn't tumble, but aside from that, I really don't see why any sort of special ruling is needed.
RigaMortus
Explorer
Thanee said:
Wow, you're a lienient DM... Our DM waits for us to move and what-not, and if we provoke while doing so, we get an AoO. No DM warning for us...
Likewise, when the DM moves the monster pieces about (we use mini's btw), and he (unknowingly) provokes, we don't let him take the movement back. We make sure to get our AoO's!!! heh
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