Sidestep and Hold the Line

[sam500]

I've got a question about charging.
If someone charges me and I have the feat "Hold the Line" which gives me an AoO if someone charges me, I hit them.
Then, because I have the feat sidestep I move 5 feat diagonally backwards to get out of the chargers reach.
Can they no longer attack me?
Or was the charge interrupted by my AoO and the charger can now continue his charge 5 feat further than he had at first anticipated due to my movement?

The reason I ask is, if the charger can just continue moving towards me after I sidestep, there is no chance for me to get away (if it's a head on charge) and the feat sidestep seems to be useless.

The PHB's rules on charging may indicate that you have to define where you intend to end in a charge first, but I'm not sure....
Thanks,
Sam

 

[Dross]

I'd say that the charger can still move in a strait line and hit you if he has the movement left.
I wouldn't rule that you interupted the charge unless you dropped/tripped the charger, mainly because you charge an opponent, not the square that they are in.*

There are other cases where Sidestep can be used, namely anytime you get an AoO, not just from a charge. So while it may not work in all cases, it is still useful.
Options to think on: for a charge fuelled use of Sidestep
A) move partially behind something and gain cover/concealment for example (doesn't negate the charge, but makes hitting you harder)
B) move to allow your party members to hit the charger without moving
C) draw the charger in to allow easy flanking position/s, especially if they now only need to take a 5 foot step
D) If you are on a wall/higher ground, moving back might mean that the charger cannot reach you (you cannot charge through difficult terrain, including a steep incline).

I'd probably allow the charger to stop his charge once you had moved away (still with -2 on AC), your foe/DM might too, which means no charge attack on you .

* I'm thinking of getting Hold the Line for my Tactical Soldier (MHB) for the above reasons. It's how I'ld rule it as a DM and how I plan to present it to my DM.

 

[PallidPatience]

Hold the Line and Sidestep also combine really well with a guisarme, Improved Trip, and Combat Reflexes.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

I agree that the Charging character may, in general, continue to move forward (if movement available) and make his attack.

Sidestep is still a useful ability even if it does not necessarily help you avoid an attack. Often the difference between getting the full iterative attack and/or flank or not depends on just 5' of movement.