Movement question, some opinions.

[Hypersmurf]

I was just saying going backwards 2 squares and then forward seems like a start/stop situation, so you use 2 move actions.

Certain types of movement carry restrictions - a push can only be away from you, a pull can only be towards you, and a charge must be directly towards the nearest square from which you can attack the target.

The Walk action does not carry a restriction on the direction you can move - you can walk one square north, then two squares east, then one square west, then two squares south, for a total of six squares of movement, all as part of the same Walk action.

-Hyp.

 

[On Puget Sound]

In real life, it would be very easy and appropriate to take a couple of steps back so you can get a running start when trying to jump a long distance. And the rules don't make any requirements regarding turning 90 or 180 degrees during a move (other than specific rules like charging, and even there 4E is way more lenient than previous editions).

 

[Grabuto138]

In real life, it would be very easy and appropriate to take a couple of steps back so you can get a running start when trying to jump a long distance. And the rules don't make any requirements regarding turning 90 or 180 degrees during a move (other than specific rules like charging, and even there 4E is way more lenient than previous editions).

Agreed. And since there is no facing, there really isn't any such things as backwards or forwards either.

If we are looking for a specific rule, the section in the PH on movement says that you can move a number of squares equal to your speed as a move action. There is no provision for backwards or forwards etc.

 

[Syrsuro]

Ok here is the situation. A player decide he wants to move backwards 2 squares then move forward the rest of his move in the same movement for whatever reason(like to get the running start to jump a pit, charge etc.). I ruled that you cannot do it as it is a start/stop situation, so you must make 2 move actions(or use a shift if you can move 2 squares that is ok, still an action though). Now you can do it with a charge but still 2 actions (move action then standard action(the Charge)). How so you all think it should be done or how you would rule it?

I would allow this (backup 2 and run forward 2), but I would only count the movement in the direction of the jump (+/- 45degrees) towards the 'running start'. In other words no running back one square and then running forward one square (for a total of two squares) and calling that a running start.

Keep in mind that the players are NOT running when they move normally - so turning on a dime is not a problem. Think of it as moving back more slowly and then dashing forward for the jump. I can see a potential problem if the character was running during this move - but the RAW actually allows that as well.

Just FYI: Continuing the jump across a double move (with the mid point of the jump coinciding with the end of the first move) is explicitely legal - so you were OK there.

Carl

 

[gtoasnt3]

Just FYI: Continuing the jump across a double move (with the mid point of the jump coinciding with the end of the first move) is explicitely legal - so you were OK there.

Carl

Exactly. This is something that we had messed up in our game until I re-read the PHB (8 months after starting to play the game). You combine the entire movement on a double move, not make two separate moves.

To the OP: I don't read anything in the rules that wouldn't allow a PC to move backward and then forward on the same move (or double move). Our game would allow it. Of course, house rules would supercede the RAW.

I would refer to a real world situation to make it believable in our minds: My son plays JV basketball. During practices, these guys perform a ton of aerobic type exercises that include moving back and forth in a sideways direction and backward/forward. They don't hesitate at all and use this to help build up speed for defensive moves. One move action for sure.

 

[Mengu]

Thanks for the opinions. I was just saying going backwards 2 squares and then forward seems like a start/stop situation, so you use 2 move actions. The adventure in the DMG first room with the pit of ooze was the focal point of the thread, actually. The rogue was at the edge and wanted to move back 2 spaces and get a running start and it involved moving back 2 squares then back the way he came and jump 2 squares over the pit. I thought it should be 2 move actions. I still do but everyone intrepets these things differently. I shall see how the rules work more before I make a more quick actioned opinion.

As many have already said, there are no restrictions on the direction of a single movement, you can move back and forth during the same move action, or run zigzags, circles, whatever you please. If he was trying to do something else like move, open a door (a minor action), and move back, that would have to be two separate moves. But changing direction is not an action, and as such, it's allowed during a move action.