Flanking an Ettin? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Flanking an Ettin? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
AnAverageDM
08-08-04, 02:55 PM Can an Ettin (http://www.geocities.com/sovelior/srd/monstersEtoF.html#ettin) be flanked?
Egres
08-08-04, 03:22 PM Note that you can even flank a 10 headed Hydra.
Black Jack Davey
08-08-04, 03:56 PM Why couldn't it be flanked? Sure, it has two heads, but it still only has one body. You can still surround it.
Random bloke
08-08-04, 07:18 PM Only my opinion, but if you can't flank a formian worker...

Flanking isn't about "being surrounded". It's about being forced to divide your attention. Two heads - one for each attacker. If flanked by more then one pair, choose which pair gets to flank you.

Makes sense to me.
Joe Khol
08-09-04, 07:44 AM Originally posted by AnAverageDM
Can an Ettin (http://www.geocities.com/sovelior/srd/monstersEtoF.html#ettin) be flanked?

Nothing in the rules suggests it can't be flanked so it can be.

The whole workings of two heads (and presumably brains) working one body isn't explained. Who controls the body, how do the heads communicate etc. It is perfectly possible that being able to see both attackers would help it - it still can't easily defend against both. Anyway, both it's heads face forwards so you could still get behind it.

If you don't like that logic, you could rule the Ettins can't be flanked but you'd have to consider several other creatures for similar (even better) reasons. Like the rest of the D&D combat system, flanking is an abstract concept to give suitable benefits to multiple attackers against on defender.

There have been plenty of arguments about how it should work in 'real life' and they'll never be completely resolved. The whole multiple heads issue just adds another aspect to those arguments.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
AnAverageDM 08-08-04, 02:55 PM	Can an Ettin (http://www.geocities.com/sovelior/srd/monstersEtoF.html#ettin) be flanked?
Egres 08-08-04, 03:22 PM	Note that you can even flank a 10 headed Hydra.
Black Jack Davey 08-08-04, 03:56 PM	Why couldn't it be flanked? Sure, it has two heads, but it still only has one body. You can still surround it.
Random bloke 08-08-04, 07:18 PM	Only my opinion, but if you can't flank a formian worker... Flanking isn't about "being surrounded". It's about being forced to divide your attention. Two heads - one for each attacker. If flanked by more then one pair, choose which pair gets to flank you. Makes sense to me.
Joe Khol 08-09-04, 07:44 AM	Originally posted by AnAverageDM Can an Ettin (http://www.geocities.com/sovelior/srd/monstersEtoF.html#ettin) be flanked? Nothing in the rules suggests it can't be flanked so it can be. The whole workings of two heads (and presumably brains) working one body isn't explained. Who controls the body, how do the heads communicate etc. It is perfectly possible that being able to see both attackers would help it - it still can't easily defend against both. Anyway, both it's heads face forwards so you could still get behind it. If you don't like that logic, you could rule the Ettins can't be flanked but you'd have to consider several other creatures for similar (even better) reasons. Like the rest of the D&D combat system, flanking is an abstract concept to give suitable benefits to multiple attackers against on defender. There have been plenty of arguments about how it should work in 'real life' and they'll never be completely resolved. The whole multiple heads issue just adds another aspect to those arguments.