D&D 5E Running away...

[vlysses]

How do you escape/run away in practice in 5e, if surrounded by hostile creatures, or opponents blocking an exit route?

Painful situation we just encountered: enemy guards (same medium size as us), were blocking exit corridor as we were trying to flee, and it all ended in tears...

RAW states this: "you can move through a hostile creature's space only if the creature is at least two sizes larger or smaller than you. Remember that another creature’s
space is difficult terrain for you... you can’t
willingly end your move in its space."

Ok, BUT:

Is there really no way to get past an equal sized opponent in 5e through tumble or anything like that? I'm basically looking for the equivalent of the "tumble through enemy" application of acrobatics in 3.5e/pathfinder.

The ONLY non-magical way to get past an opponent based on RAW seems to be the shoving attack action. It that it?? Only a strength based check - no dex based check? Description of Dex skills in PHB do not include "passing through enemy lines" and our DM therefore does not seem to be inclined to allow a house rule in this regard.

And again back to RAW: if faced with a giant or other creature two sizes larger, is it really that easy to pass through their square, WITHOUT any checks?? Only "difficult terrain"?? WTF!

So long story short: am i missing something in the PHB? How do you guys play it?

And also, what spells do you use to escape? (apart from invisibility, which anyway does not work in the scenario above). I'm thinking here e.g house rule for "freedom of movement" to allow breaking out of a surrounded situation, even if it was originally designed to help escape a grapple?

Thoughtful comments will be greatly appreciated.

A

 

[Thyrwyn]

Shove, Misty Step, Surrender, Negotiate, Thunderwave, Gust*, .....

 

[Sunseeker]

I would allow any player to attempt a strength or dexterity check to force their way past a creature blocking the exit. I would require the player to sufficiently describe how their chosen stat is representative of their action of attempting to get past the guards. I could even reasonably see a constitution-based check if one is utilizing their stoutness to barrel past the guards.

I think this is one of the major "rulings not rules" situations, it's a perfect place for the DM to make a call.

 

[vlysses]

Thank you, misty step and thunder wave interesting options, even if I don't have them on my spell lists as a light cleric... Banishment would also work as a last resort, but very expensive...(High level)

have listed shove already above, and surrender/negotiations can always be tried...

 

[El Mahdi]

Remember also that another character can use the help action while the first uses shove to give advantage on the check. It's like a linebacker pushing a running back through the line for a touchdown (American Football), or rugby players working together in a scrum to push/move the group. Of course though, as DM, I'd rule that the person helping would have to be medium sized also. Sorry, but a Halfling or Gnome just isn't going to meaningfully contribute to pushing a fighter through the defenders.

 

[El Mahdi]

On second thought, I think I would let a Gnome or Halfling help. They hit low while the medium sized character(s) hit middle or high.

Like football cheerleaders are often chanting: "Push em' back...Shove em' back...Waaaaaaaaaaaay Back!"

 

[Riley37]

How do you escape/run away in practice in 5e, if surrounded by hostile creatures, or opponents blocking an exit route?

How do you do this in real life?

Generally, you don't succeed.

This is why people avoid getting surrounded.

 

[iserith]

How do you escape/run away in practice in 5e, if surrounded by hostile creatures, or opponents blocking an exit route?

From a player's perspective, all one need do is describe your goal and approach to the DM and the DM will apply whatever rules (if any) need to be applied to resolve any uncertainty.

From a rule's perspective, a grapple combined with moving a grappled creature might allow the PCs to create openings in enemy lines to break through and escape.

Is there really no way to get past an equal sized opponent in 5e through tumble or anything like that? I'm basically looking for the equivalent of the "tumble through enemy" application of acrobatics in 3.5e/pathfinder.

If you clearly state what you're doing specifically and what you hope to accomplish, it can work if your DM says it works (no roll) or has a chance to work (roll). Try sticking to the fiction and letting the DM worry about the rules that apply (if any).

The ONLY non-magical way to get past an opponent based on RAW seems to be the shoving attack action. It that it?? Only a strength based check - no dex based check? Description of Dex skills in PHB do not include "passing through enemy lines" and our DM therefore does not seem to be inclined to allow a house rule in this regard.

See above.

And again back to RAW: if faced with a giant or other creature two sizes larger, is it really that easy to pass through their square, WITHOUT any checks?? Only "difficult terrain"?? WTF!

That's correct, unless the DM establishes otherwise.

 

[77IM]

The DMG has a rules option to make a Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to move through an enemy's space.

More broadly speaking, do what iserith says: describe how you're getting past the guards, and if it seems like something that could reasonably work, the DM should give it a reasonable chance. This is officially sanctioned in the "improvising an action" sidebar in the combat chapter of the PHB.

 

[Paraxis]

Page 272 DMG looking for Tumble combat option, Overrun and Shove Aside also work.