Run and RAW, not the feat

[Lopke_Quasath]

In the last session we had a small fit over how to successfully conclude a chase without ending in a Constitution roll fest to see who fatigues first.

In our session our barbarian was chasing down an orc cleric. They were on a road so the orc could run straight for a long stretch. Obviously the barbarian could catch up with his speed bonus, but once he was behind the orc, we couldn't find anything that would let him end the chase. To break it down, the orc would run, so 4x his speed or 120 feet (light armor). The barbarian would also run, and could easily keep up (160ft) but because running has to be in straight line (without extra feats) the barbarian ends up behind the orc with no actions left and the it repeats. No AoO because that first square isn't threatened.

How can we conclude the chase, according to RAW, without Constitution checks and reach weapons (so the 2nd square the orc leaves would be threatened and thus an AoO from the barbarian)?

Much obliged.

 

[Someone]

You provoke AoOs when running; it´s the withdraw action, equivalent a double move, the one that makes the "1st square doesn´t count" exception.

 

[Lopke_Quasath]

Thanks, just double checked the PHB and confirmed that about running.

Which leads me to a new question, which is the flip-side of my first one.

How can someone run away safely from attackers if a withdraw action isn't enough movement?

I guess the simple answer is they can't, unless they have a higher movement rate, hence the importance of spells like "Expeditious Retreat".

Just making sure.

Cheers

 

[Len]

They can't. If they want to start running, they have to take the AoO. Even with Expeditious Retreat, they have to choose between taking an AoO and casting defensively (which could fail).

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

You could also run past the orc and then wait for him. Or get far enough ahead so that you could charge him. Neither scenarios are ideal however.