Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Bartmanhomer 03-13-05, 01:15 PM	Is it possible to have a draw or a tie in combat?
Someone 03-13-05, 01:30 PM	Yes and no. Yes, both sides can come to the realization/ decision that they are evenly matched, and call it a draw. On the other hand, the initiative system means that one side will go before the other, so you can't have the last two people take each other out at the same time. Unless you have delayed things like poison or magic.
Lord Dracos 03-13-05, 03:14 PM	This is D&D! OF course there can be a draw. I assume you don't mean both sides die, because that's no draw or stalemate. If the sides agree on a truce, or if the sides are immoblizzed/ in bad spots, there can be a draw.
Edymnion 03-13-05, 03:23 PM	A poorly aimed Fireball can have things come up in a stalemate, when both sides die horribly. But generally, no, there is no way to get a mechanical stalemate. If both sides keep swinging, SOMEBODY is going to run out of hitpoints eventually.
Nytmare 03-13-05, 04:31 PM	It's technically possible for two opponents to be in a situation where either their ACs vs BABs mean that they can't touch each other outside of a critical hit, or that they each have a DR without weapons able to damage each other. None of these scenarios are really all that plausible however. Are there any creatures that are impervious or heal from their own natural attacks? Two of those pitted against each other wouldn't get much accomplished. Two armless, toothless trolls?
was_fired 03-13-05, 05:20 PM	High DR/AC creatures with regeneration / fast healing could pull this off. This can also take place between two barbarians. One could kill the other, but when his rage ends he still dies.
Ramius_Mordale 03-13-05, 11:14 PM	My question is this, whatever happened to the tactical retreat? I know its pretty much a given most PCs refuse to give up but seriously, I've had times in character that I thought we should retreat and lick our wounds but someone always said no lets keep going forward. Conclusion death of the whole party. Granted retreating gives the enemy to heal as well and to be more on guard, but you can't spend what you get if you aren't alive to spend it I say. I think there would be more draws if there were more tactical retreats, but that is assuming you are fighting multiple foes. A draw with just two people facing off is a bit harder I would imagine. If you are playing in an oriental campaign or with two honorable combatants a draw is possible. If you are playing with the usual PC gaming group then no. What you ask is dream and nothing more for we all know PCs would never have a draw. Why that would be blasphemy in the highest! Heaven forbide the thought of not getting full xp from a creature! :eek: :P -Ramius-
Someone 03-14-05, 02:00 PM	Ah yes, "zero sum": fight on regardless of casualties, always pursue the enemy, and keep going until either all of you or all of them are dead. A possible scenario to prevent this sort of thing would be a "king of the hill" type situation: the players have to stay and defend an area, and the enemies attack and break off in waves. That or bait: a few weedy opponents that run away, drawing the agressive players into a trap with the enemy main group.
Ogre4Hire 03-14-05, 02:46 PM	In my group, there's been several times where the party's had to run. As my fighter said "the hell with this, I'm not getting paid enough to die."
Edymnion 03-14-05, 03:31 PM	Yup, making a "tactical retreat" is a good idea when you're getting your butt handed to you. Because, remember, you don't have to run faster than the (insert monster here), you just have to run faster than the (3.0 Dwarf/3.5 Halfling) in full plate!