Level Up (A5E) Reaction Explanation

Erragar

First Post
Please write a more detailed explanation of the process of Reactions in combat.

We've hit a snag where the Trigger of something that says "1 reaction, which you take when a creature makes a melee attack against you" has caused a lot of confusion in our group.

What is needed is a detailed model of the Reaction in active play because the above reaction can be read in several ways.
- 1) The target declares they are attacking the user of the reaction. The reaction occurs before the attack is rolled possibly negating the attack altogether.
- 2) The target declares they are attacking the user of the reaction, rolls to attack, but they get damaged before their damage is dealt
- 3) The attack happens in full, then your reaction happens.
 

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It's the Reaction trigger for Arcane Riposte. I listed it copied from the tools site verbatim above.

The GM and I don't know where the Riposte happens before or after damage, so we've temporarily ruled it happens after damage. But any clarification would be nice.
 


What is needed is a detailed model of the Reaction in active play because the above reaction can be read in
There is no single "model" for how reactions work because that depends on the trigger that defines them, but AFAIK unless differently specified they happen right after the trigger

In the case you posted, the trigger is a creature making that attack. Declaring the attack is not enough because it hasn't happened yet: the attack roll is the moment when the character knows has been attacked (typically reactions need the character to be aware of and see the triggering condition).

So in this case what happens is your option number 3, but the two damages would be dealt at the same time
 

- 1) The target declares they are attacking the user of the reaction. The reaction occurs before the attack is rolled possibly negating the attack altogether.
That would be something that could trigger something like "when someone targets you"
- 2) The target declares they are attacking the user of the reaction, rolls to attack, but they get damaged before their damage is dealt
... and if the damage is enough to kill/disable the attacker there won't be an attack to deal with.
Although you'd roll for your Arcane Riposte before the roll is made but after the attacker chooses his action (the attack).

- 3) The attack happens in full, then your reaction happens.
That would be a trigger like "when someone hits you"
 

That would be a trigger like "when someone hits you"
Arcane Riposte says "when a creature makes an attack" because it can trigger whether it's a hit or miss.

I'm not sure what your answer is to how it works- but it doesn't say anything about halting the attack procedure halfway through. The "Making an Attack" section of the book is followed. The attack is made, which includes missing or dealing damage. Once it's resolved an attack has been made, and AR can trigger.
 

I could be misremembering, but usually if it's meant to happen before damage is dealt, it will say so. Otherwise, it's fair to assume the triggering event must resolve first.
 

A trigger takes place before a reaction. The trigger is 'makes an attack'.

So they make an attack. Then the reaction.
 

A trigger takes place before a reaction. The trigger is 'makes an attack'.

So they make an attack. Then the reaction.
They're not sure whether "makes an attack" is "says they're going to attack and rolls to hit," meaning they can riposte and potentially kill the attacker before damage is rolled, or if the entire attack process has to be completed including damage and THEN the trigger goes off. I've stated the latter, but others here have suggested otherwise.

Unfortunately saying "they make an attack, then the reaction" doesn't help educate people as to the correct answer :(
 

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