Using Ready to get out of the way ?

[Hypersmurf]

1. My example include moving back on my round to force the attacker to make more than a 5-foot step. Can't do that AND Ready and action that includes a 5-foot step.

This only comes into play if the attacker ever starts his round adjacent to you.

Since the last thing that happens each round is the 5' step back part of my Ready action, this never happens in a round that he actually attacks. He can't take a 5' step after the first attack, because he already used his 5' step to close with me.

If he spends a round to take a 5' step towards me and not attack, then I have a problem. But as long as he a/ doesn't begin his round adjacent to me, and b/ attacks, he can't catch me

-Hyp.

 

[two]

It's most fun when...

When A has reach and initiative and B is the attacker (without reach).

Let's say A is an 8th level fighter.

A readies an action "to attack B when B starts his attack" using a 5' step (to get out of the way of B's attack).

Round 1: A readies, B charges or moves and attacks.

A gets AOO as B passes through controlled square; B swings at an empty square; A steps back and does a single attack (the readied action).

Round 2: A still has initiative, does a full attack (2 attacks), and makes a 5' step back (now 15' away from B). B charges and finally gets an attack in, but after getting another AOO from movement.

TOTAL: A gets 2 AOO's from movement, 1 readied attack, 1 full attack = 5 attacks before B gets any. And then B only gets a single attack, and A can full attack the next round again.

So, anyway, anyone with reach should "bluff" being flatfooted and act like he does not have a readied action, but secretly have the "5' step and attack" action readied vs. the first enemy attacker. It will only work once, but, that's good enough. (once per battle).

 

[RigaMortus]

I beleive there is a rule that states, once you enter a threatening square of the person you are charging, your charge stops there.

Maybe I am not reading your example correctly, but are you trying to create a 5' space between you and the "charger" AND making an attack against them? Because I don't see how that is possible, unless you are using a Reach weapon (maybe you stated that and I missed it).

At any rate, the charger will stop once it hits a square he threatens you by. He can then declare to attack you, he isn't committed to attacking the empty square you used to reside in.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Maybe I am not reading your example correctly, but are you trying to create a 5' space between you and the "charger" AND making an attack against them? Because I don't see how that is possible, unless you are using a Reach weapon (maybe you stated that and I missed it).

When A has reach and initiative and B is the attacker (without reach).

-Hyp.

 

[Felix]

I think somewhere along the line what I said was misread.
A is a sword and board fighter.
B is a "polearm twink".
A wins initiative.

Round 1:
A: Ready an action to Step In 5' and attack when polearm twink attacks me.
B: Move 20' (MEA) to close the distance and attack A (Standard Action).
---Trigger Ready Action---
B can no longer move this round because he has ended his MEA, and has declared his standard action. He attacks a square that is no longer occupied.

Round 2:
A: Ready action to 5' step and attack when B attacks me.
B: 5' Step back (to avoid AoO for moving out of threatened square) and attack A
---Trigger Ready Action---
A attacks B on ready action. B has declared his Standard action and attacks an unoccupied square. Nor can he move any more that round because he has already taken a 5' step.

Round 3:
A: Ready an action to move 5' and attack when B attacks.
B: This guy doesn't know the ready action is triggered when he attacks. So to fool A he declares that he moves 5' back, but as part of a MEA, not a 5' step. A gets an AoO. B sees that A hasn't followed him, so he moves 5' left (for kicks) and attacks A.
---Trigger Readied Action---
A moves 5' to close with B and attacks. B has moved and used his Standard action. He's buggered.

The point of all of this is that the only way that the polearm twink can extracate himself is by withdrawing and going on the defensive... himself readying actions. He is utterly uncapable of scoring a hit because the ready action is triggered by an attack. The polearm character must be only 5' away to attack, so a 5' step will always get the sword and board guy right next to the polearmer and will allow him to attack. Any time the polearmer tries to attack, his prey won't be there anymore.

Meaning: An intelligent enemy (or PC) that knows this tactic can render a polearmer worthless on the offensive. By trading his iterative attacks (if any), the polearmer is denied any successful attacks. If the polearmer goes first, the only thing that changes is the polearmer gets in one attack before the sword-and-board begins readying actions.

This is perfectly fine with the RAW, and actually works concerning flavor, I think. Polearms always were defensive weapons; this tactic simply makes them much less powerful on the aggressive offensive. It's prime virtue is that of quieting tripper/polearm twinks with a quickness.

 

[James McMurray]

It works fine, until you're up against multiple polarm users, or a guy using his polearm from behind someone else.

Besides, we all know that if someone is going to twink a reach weapon they'll use a spked chain.

 

[Felix]

Multiple Polearmers & Polearm ranks:
Yeah, these guys make great phalanxes... thats why armies used them. No doubt about that. But for an offensive fighter polearms are much less than optimal.

Besides, we all know that if someone is going to twink a reach weapon they'll use a spked chain.

Well DUH!

 

[Darklone]

I still think it's silly

 

[DarkMaster]

This only comes into play if the attacker ever starts his round adjacent to you.

Since the last thing that happens each round is the 5' step back part of my Ready action, this never happens in a round that he actually attacks. He can't take a 5' step after the first attack, because he already used his 5' step to close with me.

If he spends a round to take a 5' step towards me and not attack, then I have a problem. But as long as he a/ doesn't begin his round adjacent to me, and b/ attacks, he can't catch me

-Hyp.

It doesn't matter if the 5' step is the last thing you do, if you moved in the round a 5' step can't be part of your readied action.

 

[0-hr]

I don't see how any combatant [low dex, high enc, whatever] can use Ready to react --just in the nick of time-- to beat a melee attack. To react so fast and with such precise timing that their attacker has absolutely no chance to adjust their swing...

I agree with you completely. That last minute dodge thing is what we call Armor Class, not a Readied Action.

I'm still for only letting interrupts happen at action boundaries wherever possible - and letting the interrupted folks adjust remaining actions if it makes sense. Hard to believe that they made a "revision" to the rules and didn't clarify any of this. Makes me start to suspect that there may have been some other (cough)money(cough) motivation to the new edition....