Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Divisionbyzer0 04-08-08, 02:38 PM	Part of the text of Headlong Rush is as follows: A headlong rush is a charge that provokes attacks of opportunity from every foe who can reach its path, including the opponent you attack. What does "reach its path" mean? They can expend their movement to make the AoA, or that you are passing through squares that they threaten? If the latter doesn't a charge normally provoke AoAs when passing through threatened squares?
BronzeBeard 04-09-08, 08:30 AM	I assume you mean the Headlong Rush from Races of Faerun pg' 164. Otherwise my answer might not be accurate. Let's make clear a few things: Originally Posted by Provoking an Attack of Opportunity: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/attacksOfOpportunity.htm) Two kinds of actions can provoke attacks of opportunity: moving out of a threatened square and performing an action within a threatened square. Moving Moving out of a threatened square usually provokes an attack of opportunity from the threatening opponent. There are two common methods of avoiding such an attack—the 5-foot step and the withdraw action. Performing a Distracting Act ...bla bla... And Originally Posted by Charge: (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm#charge) Movement During a Charge You must move before your attack, not after. You must move at least 10 feet (2 squares) and may move up to double your speed directly toward the designated opponent. You must have a clear path toward the opponent, and nothing can hinder your movement (such as difficult terrain or obstacles). Here’s what it means to have a clear path. First, you must move to the closest space from which you can attack the opponent. (If this space is occupied or otherwise blocked, you can’t charge.) Second, if any line from your starting space to the ending space passes through a square that blocks movement, slows movement, or contains a creature (even an ally), you can’t charge. (Helpless creatures don’t stop a charge.) ...bla bla... Basically, move in a straight line to your enemy and attack him once. If you check the table later on as to what actions can be done in a round it says that "Regardless of the action, if you move out of a threatened square, you usually provoke an attack of opportunity. This column indicates whether the action itself, not moving, provokes an attack of opportunity. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/actionsincombat.htm)" Let's sums it up till now: Charge action let's you do something (Explained in the charge rule). If, while doing, you will leave an opponent's threathened square he will be entitled to attack you. What 'bout the feat?: A headlong rush is a charge that provokes attacks of opportunity from every foe who can reach its path, including the opponent you attack. A headlong rush otherwise functions like a charge attack, except that a sucessful attack deals double damage. The difference: First, don't forget the bonus you get! =D twice the damage! The difference: But the real deal is that every opponent who can reach you, may attempt to attack you. Regardless of the normal AoO rule. And it includes the one that you try to crush! Though he couldn't do so before. Shall I demonstrate? Let's assume we're facing the following encounter: ----------- | | |U| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |E| | |R| | | | | | | |C|E| | |R| | | | | ----------- U stands for you E stands for an enemy C stands for an enemy you charge R stands for an enemy with a reach weapon For the sake of simplicity we assume that non has the Combat Reflexes feat, and all are medium sized. The scenario is that you (U) is trying to attack the enemy (C). Like this: ----------- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |E| | |R| |U| | | | | |C|E| | |R| | | | | ----------- With a simple charge the upper E and R will have an AoO on you because you have left their threathend areas by means other then 5' move or a withdrawl (i.e. you simply charged). As shown: ----------- | | | | | | | | ||| | | | | |v| | | | | |U|E| | |R| | | | | | | |C|E| | |R| | | | | ----------- At the location of the v is where you leave one threathend area and enters another (for both E & R). There they have the AoO. With the Headlon Rush feat: ----------- | | | | | | | | |v| | | | | ||| | | | | |||E| | |R| |U| | | | | |C|E| | |R| | | | | ----------- At the location of the v is where, now, you enter the weapon reach for upper E & R. So they attack. When you get to the U location, lower E, R & C make their attack against you. And only after that you may attack (at twice the damage!). Okyi? Sorry for any misspelling I had. :(
SupaTalka 04-09-08, 01:58 PM	What does "reach its path" mean? They can expend their movement to make the AoA, or that you are passing through squares that they threaten? If the latter doesn't a charge normally provoke AoAs when passing through threatened squares? While Bronzebeard gave a very detailed answer to your questions, let me give you a simpler one, because even I was confused by his explanation at first. (although he's 100% spot on) Ok a charge normally provokes AoO's by *leaving* threatened squares just like any other form of movement does. The thing about Headlong Rush is that now you provoke by *entering* threatened squares. An example that's simpler: You charge at 3 enemies who are standing next to each other. An orc is in a straight line with you and has a goblin on each side of him. You declare the orc the target of your Headlong Rush, and enter the square in-front of him. The goblins have 5ft reach and therefore threaten the square in front of the orc that you just *entered*. Normally, you would not provoke for *entering* a square but for *leaving* one. In this case, you could have 3 AoOs coming in on you before you deal damage. Hope that clears it up.
Divisionbyzer0 04-09-08, 03:21 PM	Thanks fellas, the example and explanations makes it perfectly clear.
Divisionbyzer0 09-27-08, 08:45 AM	Coming back to this feat... dumb question, but unlike critical hits would this multiplier double extra damage dice -- sneak attacks, sudden strikes, skirmishes etc? I believe the answer is yes, since I see nothing from the feat itself or the players book which indicates otherwise.
BronzeBeard 10-26-08, 06:09 AM	rrrr... I think that the rule of the thumb says that critical attack only doubles weapon damage but I'm not 100% sure.
Divisionbyzer0 10-26-08, 07:06 PM	Headlong rush multiplier is not a critical hit, it's the specific effect of the feat.