Again, AoO... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Again, AoO... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Dryder
11-21-03, 04:50 PM Ok, I just made a new decision for a house rule I'm going to use, and it would be great to read your opinions here...

It's said, that you threaten ALL adjacent squares. That means, even those in your back!
Now I say, you only threaten those 3 squares in front of you, and the 2 on your sides, but not the 3 in your back (maybe - if you have a cloak of eyes).

Furthermore, if the opponent, who is allowed an AoO according to the rules (part official and part new house rule) is in melee with another PC, NPC or whatever, he is NOT ALLOWED an AoO. He would never let down his guard when he is in melee with, let's say PC1, when PC2 is provoking an AoO by just leaving a square next to him... because that would mean, PC1 would as well get an AoO on him.

Any comments on this? Please!
quaiven
11-21-03, 05:05 PM It's said, that you threaten ALL adjacent squares. That means, even those in your back!

In 3.5 there is no "back", you are considered to be equally alert to everything around you.

I think that other rule you have will only end up hurting the PCs in the long run. Since swarms of enemies will easily be able to penetrate the front ranks and get to the weak spellcasters in the back.
CrippleMrOnion
11-21-03, 05:11 PM Your idea seems valid, but it cerainly makes facing very important. Make sure you want to open that can of worms before you decide on doing this...
Keep in mind that it will lengthen combat (perhaps significantly) while players start trying to look far into the future about where enemies will move so as not to be caught from behind.
I agree that your ideas are logically sound, but you know as well as I do that if you want logic, you should go do a magic square.
Dryder
11-21-03, 05:17 PM Doh'

Never thought about plowing trough the first ranks, and about the lenght of combat.

I never had such big battles, with a lot of opponents. I prefer to have one to three opponents, which are powerful enough to give my PCs a good challenge.
So I think it might work in such a case. But you're right, I have to think about it again... Maybe RPG should not be TOO LOGIC, because this, INDEED, can be an opened can of worms... (well, this might be a topic for another thread - IS "TOO LOGIC" BAD?!)...
Fixxxer
11-22-03, 12:50 AM Well, the fact of the matter is that 3rd edition D&D assumes that you're actually moving around in that 5ft square that you occupy. You're not just standing there, staring off in a single direction. Because of this, you threaten in a 360 degree circle around yourself. Trust me...it's much easier this way than trying to figure out who is facing where and looking at what.
Dryder
11-22-03, 02:25 AM Yep, after another nights sleep I think you are right! :rolleyes:
Farland
11-22-03, 12:46 PM Also don't take away AoO opportunities from enemies locked in combat. That will drastically affect the way combat is played. AoO's are balanced they way they are; just make sure that NPCs, monsters, and PCs all avail themeselves of AoO's and you will be fine.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dryder 11-21-03, 04:50 PM	Ok, I just made a new decision for a house rule I'm going to use, and it would be great to read your opinions here... It's said, that you threaten ALL adjacent squares. That means, even those in your back! Now I say, you only threaten those 3 squares in front of you, and the 2 on your sides, but not the 3 in your back (maybe - if you have a cloak of eyes). Furthermore, if the opponent, who is allowed an AoO according to the rules (part official and part new house rule) is in melee with another PC, NPC or whatever, he is NOT ALLOWED an AoO. He would never let down his guard when he is in melee with, let's say PC1, when PC2 is provoking an AoO by just leaving a square next to him... because that would mean, PC1 would as well get an AoO on him. Any comments on this? Please!
quaiven 11-21-03, 05:05 PM	It's said, that you threaten ALL adjacent squares. That means, even those in your back! In 3.5 there is no "back", you are considered to be equally alert to everything around you. I think that other rule you have will only end up hurting the PCs in the long run. Since swarms of enemies will easily be able to penetrate the front ranks and get to the weak spellcasters in the back.
CrippleMrOnion 11-21-03, 05:11 PM	Your idea seems valid, but it cerainly makes facing very important. Make sure you want to open that can of worms before you decide on doing this... Keep in mind that it will lengthen combat (perhaps significantly) while players start trying to look far into the future about where enemies will move so as not to be caught from behind. I agree that your ideas are logically sound, but you know as well as I do that if you want logic, you should go do a magic square.
Dryder 11-21-03, 05:17 PM	Doh' Never thought about plowing trough the first ranks, and about the lenght of combat. I never had such big battles, with a lot of opponents. I prefer to have one to three opponents, which are powerful enough to give my PCs a good challenge. So I think it might work in such a case. But you're right, I have to think about it again... Maybe RPG should not be TOO LOGIC, because this, INDEED, can be an opened can of worms... (well, this might be a topic for another thread - IS "TOO LOGIC" BAD?!)...
Fixxxer 11-22-03, 12:50 AM	Well, the fact of the matter is that 3rd edition D&D assumes that you're actually moving around in that 5ft square that you occupy. You're not just standing there, staring off in a single direction. Because of this, you threaten in a 360 degree circle around yourself. Trust me...it's much easier this way than trying to figure out who is facing where and looking at what.
Dryder 11-22-03, 02:25 AM	Yep, after another nights sleep I think you are right! :rolleyes:
Farland 11-22-03, 12:46 PM	Also don't take away AoO opportunities from enemies locked in combat. That will drastically affect the way combat is played. AoO's are balanced they way they are; just make sure that NPCs, monsters, and PCs all avail themeselves of AoO's and you will be fine.