Post/Author/DateTime	Post
pmurray@bigpond.com 03-08-08, 01:22 AM	A size M character does not really occupy a 5-ft square. It's just that they need that much room in order to be able to melee effectively. What penalties do you apply when characters are squeezed in together? I am thinking of the situation where players are noisily discussing tactics. Now - dammit - I rule that the characters are also noisily discussing tactics, and eventually the hydra will make its listen check. Since the characters are all huddled together in one or two 5-ft sqaures when the hydr strikes, what modifiers apply? Just the squeezing rules, you think? If I apply this, then I would have to allow characters to fight more than one to a square, provided that they take the penalty. What would be reasonable as an upper limit for M and S characters to be able to fight (with penalties) from within a single square? Oh, and finally, what should be the DC for the Hydra to hear the discussion? Do I roll once a round, or once a minute? Maybe a decibel meter at the table would be a nice touch.
Tedronai 03-08-08, 02:03 AM	Characters not afforded sufficient space suffer the same penalties as characters squeezing through a tight space. IIRC, those penalties amount to 1/2 speed, -4 attack, -4 ac, though they can be found in the combat modifiers section of the PHB, and I may be less than perfectly accurate on those numbers.
Kouk 03-09-08, 03:38 AM	If they are speaking loudly, why should they huddle into a 5ft square? If they are whispering, why would there be much chance of a Hydra hearing them through whatever intervening obstacles and space there is? If they specifically say, "OK, let's huddle together and then shout in each others' ears so the Hydra hears us..." then you may have a realistic case I think.
Cranewings 03-11-08, 06:36 PM	I think it would be a case by case basis. IF the heroes have weapons with thrusting tip and shield, they could fighter pretty well shoulder to shoulder. Hell.... I'd give them a bonus.