Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Shima 06-20-05, 04:09 AM	Ready for attack; The enemy attacks; Move 5' away. Can that really be done? You avoid the best attack of a full attack, or if the enemy moved to attack you - cancel his attack completely. What about if your an archer and move to shoot ?
spyderfreek 06-20-05, 04:12 AM	So does this mean you don't want to fight, because by moving away you would be unable to melee them unless you have a reach weapon. seems like a great tactic for a mage, but you would be contnually changing your init, which would also affect how you react in battle. I like the idea, but would have to see it in function to get a feel for it.
Kintara 06-20-05, 04:19 AM	Hmm, if the enemy would need to take a 5 ft. step to reach you, then it might be a decent idea to ready an action to attack when they approach, and then take a 5 ft. step back yourself. You get an attack in (assuming you're in range), and they don't. But if they don't move up to attack, then you wasted your turn. Also, you blew an opportunity to make a Full Attack of your own. And once you do it, the enemy will simply stay adjacent to you, so that he can follow with a step of his own if you try it again. Still, it's interesting. I'll need to think about this to see if I'm missing anything. Edit: Anyway, the important thing to note is that after your readied action, they still get to have the rest of their action, so you need to wait for them to use their 5 ft. step. They won't "lose" one of their attacks because you declare a readied action when they declare their attack. Either an enemy makes his attack, or he doesn't. If he didn't, then he could use a 5 ft. step before continuing, assuming he had one left. He doesn't need to continue doing something just because it's what he would have done if he hadn't been interrupted. Make sense? I'm not sure if that's in question, or if what I just said was clear.
Shima 06-20-05, 04:25 AM	I feel that what's greatly missing in D&D game is the movement of action fights. What about Robin Hood retreating up the stairs? What about the fight with Darth Maul? Seems to me that in almost every sword fight (a duel at least) opponents move aournd in circle or fight along a line. Simply because there is no better defense then to move back; not be there. It also uses the terrain. If this can really be done, then it is the ultimate and basic tactic for anyone armed with spells or ranged and reach weapons. Why hasnt anyone tought of that? I have been arguing this with a friend for a long time. In a way its : "Defense is better offense."
Shima 06-20-05, 04:28 AM	Your not moving aways when he declares his attack, but when does it. But maybe he would use his free 5' step when he's swinging that sword. I dont exactly know what the rules call here, thats that whole point of the arguing. Think about all those fight scenes, they always move around. They dont keep to a square, unless its a battlefield or there is nowhere to move Someone is charging, the other retreating until he got his back against the wall (or cliff) and needs to revert the situation.
Mellowship Slinky 06-20-05, 04:29 AM	If the oponent only had a melee weapon, had literally no way to attack you at range, and had a move speed slower than you, you'd be able to never get hit, ever. If they have a sling, or can pick up rocks and throw them at you, then you're dead meat unless you start doing something (anything) else. Except for certain very specific situations, it'll always be better to do -something- instead of a reactive damage avoidance action.
Kintara 06-20-05, 04:43 AM	Hmm, if you ready an attack against someone moving and attacking you, and take 5 ft. step after your readied action, I wonder how that's handled in RAW. If you declare you're making an attack, does that end your move action? Or do you actually have to attack for your move to end? If it's option number two, then you could follow with the rest of your move action, if you have movement left. But if your move action is over once you declare an attack, then you're screwed. Edit: It says the readied action occurs "just before" the trigger, which means it hasn't happened yet and you should be able to continue moving. Anyway, take a look at the tactical feat Elusive Target from Complete Warrior for a nice way to cancel attacks and encourage mobility. Dervishes and Scouts tend to move around a lot, as well.