Ohhhh, you got Flanked!

[Goldmoon]

A couple questions on flanking. These have all come up at one point.

Does flanking imply that the two flanking opponents are working together? Ie; can two mindless zombies flank someone?

If you start the round with two invisible persons flanking you and they do not know about each other, are you flanked?

If you have an opponend in front of you and an ally acidently hits you in the back with his sword, are you flanked?

If you are flanked by two opponents and you know one is a rogue, can you choose to ignore the second person and concentrate solely on the rogue, denying him a flanking bonus and thus a sneak attack?

 

[mvincent]

Does flanking imply that the two flanking opponents are working together?

No

Ie; can two mindless zombies flank someone?

Yes

If you start the round with two invisible persons flanking you and they do not know about each other, are you flanked?

I would say no (but subject to interpretation).

If you have an opponend in front of you and an ally acidently hits you in the back with his sword, are you flanked?

No

If you are flanked by two opponents and you know one is a rogue, can you choose to ignore the second person and concentrate solely on the rogue, denying him a flanking bonus and thus a sneak attack?

Not by the core rules, but the Rules of the game offers this:
"Totally Unofficial Rule for Dealing with Foes Trying to Flank You
You can disregard attacks from an opponent flanking you. When you do, that opponent doesn't get the +2 flanking bonus when attacking you and that opponent does not provide a flanking bonus to any of its allies. Ignoring a flanker, however, provokes an attack of opportunity from that flanker, and you lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class against that flanker. You do, however, continue to threaten that flanker"

 

[Infiniti2000]

mvincent answered the other questions suitably IMO.

If you have an opponend in front of you and an ally acidently hits you in the back with his sword, are you flanked?

An ally cannot accidently hit you in the back. If an ally is confused, however, and this round attacks you, then yes he would be flanking with your other opponents.

If you are flanked by two opponents and you know one is a rogue, can you choose to ignore the second person and concentrate solely on the rogue, denying him a flanking bonus and thus a sneak attack?

No and IMO any such rule to the contrary is likely a bad one. I have not seen one that made sense within the confines of the D&D combat system. I suggest, as an alternative to such rules, you give facing a try.

 

[foxwick]

mvincent answered the other questions suitably IMO.
An ally cannot accidently hit you in the back.

Really? What about if they're trying to hit someone you're grappling with, or attacking the swarm on you? Don't those involve miss chances that can result in your ally hitting you instead?

 

[mvincent]

What about if they're trying to hit someone you're grappling with, or attacking the swarm on you? Don't those involve miss chances that can result in your ally hitting you instead?

I haven't heard of this for swarms, but accidently hitting the wrong person in a grapple can only be done with a ranged weapon (which don't threaten anyway).

 

[Goldmoon]

Can three paople flank 2 people? XoXoX

Can the center X flank both o's?

 

[Infiniti2000]

Can three paople flank 2 people? XoXoX
Can the center X flank both o's?

Yes.

 

[Dr_Rictus]

Can three paople flank 2 people? XoXoX

Can the center X flank both o's?

Yes.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Really? What about if they're trying to hit someone you're grappling with, or attacking the swarm on you? Don't those involve miss chances that can result in your ally hitting you instead?

In the context of flanking, ranged attacks into a grapple are irrelevant, and so is a swarm.

I mentioned confusion as the only way I can think Goldmoon intended, but given the other thread, I rather think there is a fumble-houserule in play.

Edit: Dr. Rictus owes me a coke!

 

[IcyCool]

Can three paople flank 2 people? XoXoX

Can the center X flank both o's?

The left o and right o are both flanked (assuming the X's are fighting the o's. The X in the middle is also flanked.