So, Attacks of Oppportunity?

[Incenjucar]

This is why, in real life, and in the game, it is not a good idea to fight in a wide-open area (the killing fields). Use of terrain (choke points, obstacles, cover) will be even more important in a game without AoO.

Except there's Football, showing us that an open field doesn't negate the concept of battlefield control entirely like 5E core does.

 

[Argyle King]

Lot's of games work just fine without the equivalent of OAs.

This is very true; however, many of those other games have other ways to make tactics matter. Examples include (but are not limited to) things such as facing, calling shots, covering fire (in modern genres), setting a pike against a charge, and more.

 

[Incenjucar]

This is very true; however, many of those other games have other ways to make tactics matter. Examples include (but are not limited to) things such as facing, calling shots, covering fire (in modern genres), setting a pike against a charge, and more.

Yep. The game doesn't specifically need OAs, even. What it needs is SOME kind of consequence for waltzing out of melee at full speed. There are a number of other possible options.

 

[Rhenny]

Except there's Football, showing us that an open field doesn't negate the concept of battlefield control entirely like 5E core does.

Football shows that you need blockers to get in the way of the attackers, and if a fast guy can turn the corner, he can break the play open. To me, this is also represented in 5e rules.

 

[Campbell]

This is very true; however, many of those other games have other ways to make tactics matter. Examples include (but are not limited to) things such as facing, calling shots, covering fire (in modern genres), setting a pike against a charge, and more.

I agree that more detailed tactical combat rules/options are needed. I just think that there needs to be an opportunity cost for every action to encourage meaningful choices.

 

[Incenjucar]

Football shows that you need blockers to get in the way of the attackers, and if a fast guy can turn the corner, he can break the play open. To me, this is also represented in 5e rules.

You mean if that guy stays out of reach range.

People in Football have arms that can go out to their sides. They don't just walk around hugging themselves while trying to block someone.

 

[jadrax]

You mean if that guy stays out of reach range.

People in Football have arms that can go out to their sides. They don't just walk around hugging themselves while trying to block someone.

Reach range is huge though, you completely block a 5 ft square. That is probably overly generous in real life terms.

 

[Crazy Jerome]

Reach range is huge though, you completely block a 5 ft square. That is probably overly generous in real life terms.

Well, three foot of steel in your hand is a bit more threatening than an offensive tackles' arm--especially when that offensive tackle can't grab the guy he is trying to block.

 

[jadrax]

Well, three foot of steel in your hand is a bit more threatening than an offensive tackles' arm--especially when that offensive tackle can't grab the guy he is trying to block.

Yes, to be fair, this is true.

 

[mlund]

Just to nit-pick, football is a terrible example because of Holding Penalties. The only reason anyone can block anyone else without drawing a flag for tripping them, blocking them in the back, of holding them is because referees and linemen are all trained the same way: no matter what the rules say on paper if a blocker holds any part of the other guy's uniform inside the shoulders and above the waist no flag gets thrown. Otherwise all the blocking restrictions would make it impossible to protect a quarterback.

- Marty Lund