Stand your ground damn you!

[Kae'Yoss]

If you really want to stop him in game then have your character make fun of him. Laught at the guy in combat, ridicule his strategy. Role play it out, don't complain on a message board.

Not good. Before you do something like that, speak with the player about it. If he'll go out of his way to please you (for jsut standing there and trade hits isn't smart playing unless you're a tank), then everything is fine. (Or rather not, unless everyone plays a tank)

If you start calling other party members cowards and the like, be prepared to have you party break up as hostilities will destroy every sense of fellowship. If you're the only one who thinks fighting should not involve strategy of any kind, be prepared to be kicked out of the party and pointed to the next arena.

If it's the DM, you can ask him, to stop, too, and then feel free to taunt the enemy that's using that tactic on you. Don't expect him to fall for that one, though.

Your best bet in that case is to use your brain and counter these strategies. Use items, ranged weapons, the proper spells. That's the thing you should actually do, since "you're a coward, you're using your advantages and don't let me use my advantages" will sound childish.

 

[shilsen]

Moderators, how about merging this thread with the other one on the same topic? It's at: http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=104083

 

[Ranger REG]

I find it a cowardly way to fight, and frankly I'm sick and tired of it.

With all due respect, it's not the DM's place to decide how players should strategize their fighting. It's the DM's place to take the role of the NPCs and monsters and strategize on how to counter the PC's fighting.

Cowardly or not, it's a matter of perspective.

 

[Terwox]

Note to everyone:
This is a player complaining that a DM has all of his NPCs fight using run away tactics, I'm pretty sure.

If a DM continually uses the same tactics, just counter them. Get a reach weapon, when he runs away you'll get to hit him regardless of spring attack, I believe.
Start taking your attacks of opportunity against running people -- show him the rule about it.
Tell the DM you don't think everyone would fight like that.
Have the party surround the guy.
Have everyone just drill the people that do this with ranged weapons.
If you're fighting the 23598275 monks of doom, all with skill focus (tumble,) spring attack, and deflect arrows, well, I'm sorry.

 

[Brother MacLaren]

The hit-and-run approach is an exceptionally sound tactic for a foe that has fast healing, even if you lack the feats to avoid an AOO. By the same token, it's a good tactic for those that have healing ability (such as most PC parties) to use when fighting those that have little such ability (such as non-classed giants or non-casting dragons).

 

[Crothian]

If you start calling other party members cowards and the like, be prepared to have you party break up as hostilities will destroy every sense of fellowship. If you're the only one who thinks fighting should not involve strategy of any kind, be prepared to be kicked out of the party and pointed to the next arena.

It really depends on the group. Acting in character and discussing strategy and insulting others is fine if the group doesn't take it seriously. These type of exchanges are fine and can add a lot to the game.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Gotta admit, this an interesting argument and raises several unique viewpoints.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

It really depends on the group. Acting in character and discussing strategy and insulting others is fine if the group doesn't take it seriously. These type of exchanges are fine and can add a lot to the game.

You better be sure about that beforehand. Remember the last words of many a fighter were "You're a coward", when spoken to the party rogue. Getting a knife to the throat while you sleep is painful, and moreso if the guy in question has sneak attack....

Note to everyone:
This is a player complaining that a DM has all of his NPCs fight using run away tactics, I'm pretty sure.

Then he should stop complaining and start countering the tactics. If the enemies pull the same tactic all the time, it's because it works every time. If you piss off the local assassins' guild, you don't say "damn, that's the 4th ambush we stumbled in this week alone, I wish they wouldn't do that!" You say: "ambush me once, shame on you, ambush me twice, shame on me. I'm much more perceptive now, and the cleric's some nice spells up his sleeve. Those bastards are in for a hell of a ride when they try it next time"

 

[Darklone]

Sounds like a dwarven defender with all feats chosen for melee being whooped by archers with shot on the run, Spring attack or dervishes who use full attack actions against him and move too far away for him

 

[Dagger75]

Ahh are old "Dance of Death" is what we called this tactic. You should see 2 swashbucklers going at it like this. That combat took a while, was fun though.

I have no problem with this, hell it actually is pretty sound if you have spring attack.