Rondori revised

[Storyteller01]

Revised (with input from all of you...)

Rondori

Required: Combat Reflexes, Expertise, (possibily a close quarters combat feat, if available in your campaign)

With this feat, the number of creatures that may attempt to safely surround/flank you is reduced by half. This includes allies as well as enemies. Should a player enter an area that contains more creatures than can safely flank (or an opponent attempt to enter the same area), there is a possibility that opponents will be forced out of combat.

If a player is surrounded by more opponents/allies than is concidered 'safe', he may choose opponents (no more than the difference between those who can safely flank and the number of opponents actually flanking). These opponents must make a Ref save (DC: 10 + character's Dex + the current number of surrounding/flanking opponents). If they fail this save, they must take a 5 foot step in any direction, as long as it takes them out of combat. This opponent may only take a partial action on their next turn. A successful save means the opponent may stay in combat with no penalties.

Example: Jethro the monk enters an area where he would be surrounded by 6 opponents (with this feat, he could only be safely surrounded by four). As soon as he enters the area, he may choose two of his flanking opponents. They must make the Ref save area be forced to move out of combat (as described above).

As long as the player is surrounded by more opponents than is 'safe', he may force the above Ref save every round.

 

[Storyteller01]

I attempted to base this off the martial arts technique of the same name. The idea was to control the fight by manuevering yourself between opponents, thereby by controlling who could safely attack you (and who you could focus your attacks with a greater measure of safety).

I tought it might be a nice alternative to the Cleave feats.

Any suggestions???

 

[the Jester]

This is much better than the previous version!

I would change the verbage about them moving away to them being pushed back 5' in a direction of their choice. If you don't intend this to trigger attacks of opportunity, just specify that in the description (though I think it should, and they'd be generally easy to avoid).

Another thing- I'd change the desciption of creatures "in combat" with the character to "in contact" with her. I can't see this feat having a real effect on characters with exceptional reach, missile weapons, etc. (You might want to specify how the feat affects enemies with reach, though- maybe have an improved version as well..?)

A lil more tidying up and it'll be great.

 

[DreamChaser]

So, the person is pushing people away to limit the number of combatants around them? This should only work within the users threat range. As it is worded now, a large creature with 10 ft reach would still be subject to this feat even though the user of the feat might not be able to reach them.

If they fail this save, they must take a 5 foot step in any direction, as long as it takes them out of combat. This opponent may only take a partial action on their next turn. A successful save means the opponent may stay in combat with no penalties.

Perphaps rewrite this as:

If the chosen opponents fail this save, they immediately take a 5 foot step in any direction, as long as it takes them out of your threat range. The opponent may take only a partial action on their next turn.

DC

 

[Ferret]

For some reason this seems to good to be true and unbelieveable.

So when you approach a bunch of enemies they move away? How many must their be for this to work?

Also can someone send me to a site where I can read (or better yet see) this in action?

 

[Storyteller01]

Try any site featuring Aikido.

The idea isn't to push away so much as let their momentum keep them going, possibly directing opponents in another direction (keeping them between you and other opponents). there isn't any real pushing involved.

I've had the opprotunity to be a victim to this technique (granted, in classes only, but my instuctor has has practical experience with it). Your opponents don't get pushed out of the way so much as they move THEMSELVES out of the way of incoming allies (a new use for 'friendly fire').

If your good, being surronded by four individuals (ie medium humans) is as hard as it gets. Anything more, and opponents spend most of their time avoiding each other.


I was thinking of an Advanced Rondori Feat (one that would require Rondori to abtain). I'm thinking of allowing the character to control which direction an opponent moves on a failed save. this is also pretty true to form.

(Ooops...didn't mean to throw you into that raging barbarian with Combat Reflexes...so sorry!!)

 

[Ferret]

I can't find anything. They only mentionit in passing, and even then I don't understand the context.

I just can't visualise someone walking into an area so they are surrounded by opponents and causing them to move.

 

[Storyteller01]

Three things:
1) to balance this I would add "If the character is immobilized in any way (Hold spell, Grappled, etc.), this feat does not function".

2) It sounds like it at first, and it's a pain to figure out, but it does work.

Ummm.. I'll try to give some visuals:
First, you don't really walk into a crowd. You approach from the side, forcing them to come at you one or two at a time, like so:

You are X and the opponents are O. S's are spaces.
SSSSSO
SSSSOO
YSSSOO
SSSSSO

You would approach here:

SSSSSO
SSSSOO
SSSSOO
SSSSSO
SSSSY

Odds are, they will try to circle around you. Just keep moving:

SSSO
SSOO
SSOOSSSY
SSSSSO

From there, quick throws, trips, and slight nudges are applied to keep the opponents moving, usually into other opponents. You don't push anyone. You just keep moving & KEEP THEM MOVING. Think of this as knowing opponents are trying to flank you, so you keep moving in a manner that forces several opponents to occupy the same space. It can't be done (usually) so they get out of each others way.

The technique actually takes quite a bit of space, but I didn't want to bog down game play on a bunch of special rules for just one feat. Also, the masters are capable of using the technique with minimal movement. The players are supposed to be exceptional, so...

3) It can be done with a reach weapon but its hard as he!! . Quick thrusts to the face or sensitive areas (they don't have to actually hit) force opponents to stop moving towards you. Most stop moving all together. If you place it right, they stop moving in front or move into one of their allies, forcing the second guy to deal with a new situation.

Maybe I should make a separate feat to use this with reach weapons?

 

[Storyteller01]

For specific sources, try Aikido Today Magazine. It's a small publisher, but they have videos on Rondori. You may actually have to buy the video though. You could ask for sources on their web site.