Readying against a Charge

[dogoftheunderworld]

This has bothered me for a while, but hasn't come up in play, so I have been ignoring it

What specifically does "readying against a charge" imply? (i.e. A spear does double damage when readied against a charge.)

Does the opponent have to actually use the "Charge" attack action to activate your readied attack? So if they happen to be within standard move & attack range, my action is wasted? If they run or double move right to me, nothing happens? (AoO for reach aside.)

Thanks,

Brian
<><

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

IMO, you need to ready an attack. The trigger could be "I attack the 1st enemy that comes close". If that enemy was charging, ka-blamo. If it wasn't, you still get an attack.

If your trigger is "I attack the 1st charging opponent", then, if no one charges, you're basically screwed. I think it's not part of the RAW, but I let a character that hasn't had a chance to use his Readied action drop it to act normally (ie the readied action becomes a delayed action).

What I'm unclear on is can you receive a charge when the charger isn't attacking you? Can you receive a charge half-way through (ie, the spear-fighter is 20' in front of the wizard. The orc brute is 20' in front of the fighter. The fighter sets to receive a charge. The orc brute charges the wizard but passes through the fighter's threatened space. Can the fighter receive the orc's charge? Does the fighter also get an AoO?)

AR

 

[Ambrus]

What specifically does "readying against a charge" imply?

I believe it means that the character uses a standard action to "ready an action" by stating that he'll use his readied weapon to attack a creature who charges at him. I suppose he could specify wether he'll attack the first creature to charge him or specify which specific charging creature he'll attack if he's expecting many such attackers.

You ready a spear by planting the butt of the spear into the ground at your feet and holding the spear at such an angle that a creature who runs into the point will impale himself upon the business end. Since the spear is braced firmly against the earth, the momentum of a charging character will magnify the damage that a normal spear thrust would deal. The charging character may very well run himself through.

Does the opponent have to actually use the "Charge" attack action to activate your readied attack?

Yup. A charge is a risky headlong rush into your enemy. The inherent recklessness of it gives the charging character an AC penalty and leaves them vulnerable to such attacks as readied spears.

So if they happen to be within standard move & attack range, my action is wasted? If they run or double move right to me, nothing happens?

I'm afraid so. Readying a spear won't work if your opponent simply walks up to you and attacks or stops running before reaching your waiting spear tip.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Of course, you'd still get an AoO for the opponent moving through your threatened area, even if they didn't charge.

 

[Terwox]

By that route:
If you ready an attack to hit a charging opponent, and you do, and you hit or miss, doing double damage if you hit...
If your opponent continues to charge at you, do you still get your Attack of Opportunity?
It's my understanding that you do.
It's also my understanding that this second attack, the AoO, would not gain the "readied against a charge" damage bonus.
Any answers? Pardon if this is a hijack, but it's inadvertant, I hope it's relevant. If not, I apologize.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Your turn. You ready against a charge.

Your opponent charges you with his longsword (so no reach).

As he reaches your threatened area, your readied action goes off, and you attack. If you strike your opponent, you do double damage (with normal D&D mutliplication should it also be a critical hit - in other words, x4 damage with an otherwise normal spear).

Then, the opponent continues towards, and, because he's moving through / leaving your threatened area, you get an AoO against him. If you hit, you do normal damage. May I suggest an Improved Trip Attempt (assuming you've got the right kind of weapon, that is)?