Walking into melee?

[azazel]

Allright, here's a question for everyone:

Awhile back someone in our group noted that you didn't have to charge into combat but could just walk into it (ie take your move to move next to an opponent and then make a single attack).

We all dug through the books and couldn't find anything to contradict this so that's how we've been playing it for a few months. But it's getting to me, mostly because there are no restrictions on movement so people leasurely move all over the battle field to find the optimum position.

So, the basic question is this: Is this legal? Is it possible to initiate melee combat without using the charge action of a 5ft step? And if you think it's not so please give a quote or page number?

I'll probably just rule zero it in my upcoming campaign but I'd honestly like to see it go in the game I currently play in... so any help out there?

-Azazel

 

[Crothian]

WEll, as long as you are careful and not provoking AoO from moving through threatened areas, and not leaving a threatened are you are fine. It's not always that easy to do depending on how crowded the combat field is.

All of that is under AoO sections in the PHB.

 

[Dr. Zoom]

Not quite sure what your question is.

You can move up to your speed and make one attack in one round. You do not need to perform a charge or take a 5 foot step to initiate combat.

 

[azazel]

No, that's the question: Do you have to charge of 5ft step to initiate melee combat?

I also think the answer is "no" but I was hoping that I was wrong...

Oh well.

Random (though related) question: This makes the "Hold the Line" feat pretty much worthless correct?

-Azazel

 

[dcollins]

The whole point to the basic "attack" action is that you can make a normal move, and then make a single attack (or vice-versa). See PH p. 117 and p. 122, where in each place it is distinguished from a "charge".

I recommend not picturing it as a "leisurely walk", but rather as a tactical advance made while defending oneself.

There are certainly some "restrictions on movement"... if you move past an opponent, then attacks-of-opportunity come into play: see PH p. 122.

 

[Jondor_Battlehammer]

You cannot charge with a 5' step.

If what you mean is, do you provoke an AoO from moving more than 5' in one round, the answer is yes.

For just getting into combat, you can move as far as you like, 1', 10, 50, ect.

 

[Astlin]

No. Charge is not required to enter melee.

But it's getting to me, mostly because there are no restrictions on movement so people leasurely move all over the battle field to find the optimum position.

-Azazel

Our fighter types just charge right in there most of the time. Our rogue (me) on the other hand DEFIANTLY tries to get into the best position. I would not describe my movements as leisurely though.

If you use a grid it makes it easy to see what would cause an AoO and any path you may need to take around the combatants. Sometimes we do not set up the map for small fights. In that case, I will just ask if I can make it around the enemy without getting close enough for him to strike at me.

If you had to do a charge just to initiate combat, it would really be a pain for those of us that do not like to stand tow to toe with our opponents.

Astlin

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

People have answered the first question quite adequately.

As to the second. No, hold the line is still quite handy because it's often advantageous for enemies to charge--this enables them to gain +2 to hit, move twice their movement rate, and still attack. For a character in heavy armor, the movement is very significant. For felines like lions, etc. pounce makes charging a no brainer. That's when you'll really appreciate hold the line. It's not the best feat in the world. It's certainly no power attack or cleave. It's more in line with feats like close quarters fighting and blindfight. They're very handy when they come up but they don't always come up--unless you and your party build a strategy around them. (For hold the line, cast slow on your enemies. Now they will have to charge you if you move and attack. If you have spring attack, you'll get twice as many attacks as they do.)

No, that's the question: Do you have to charge of 5ft step to initiate melee combat?

I also think the answer is "no" but I was hoping that I was wrong...

Oh well.

Random (though related) question: This makes the "Hold the Line" feat pretty much worthless correct?

-Azazel