5 Foot Step and Flanking

[DungeonmasterCal]

Ok, a friend of mine swears you can take a 5 foot step when fighting an opponent solo to get a flanking attack on him. I can't find anything anywhere that backs this up. So is he right?

[kestral287]

Solo? No.

[LazarX]

DungeonmasterCal wrote:

Ok, a friend of mine swears you can take a 5 foot step when fighting an opponent solo to get a flanking attack on him. I can't find anything anywhere that backs this up. So is he right?

In order to be flanking you have to draw a line between two flank partners that passes through two opposite sides of the creature.

Since that's at a MINIMUM a two square movement, how could that be a 5 foot step? Ignoring the slight problem of being two places at once.

[DungeonmasterCal]

LazarX wrote:

DungeonmasterCal wrote:

Ok, a friend of mine swears you can take a 5 foot step when fighting an opponent solo to get a flanking attack on him. I can't find anything anywhere that backs this up. So is he right?

In order to be flanking you have to draw a line between two flank partners that passes through two opposite sides of the creature.

Since that's at a MINIMUM a two square movement, how could that be a 5 foot step? Ignoring the slight problem of being two places at once.

I told him that. Even drew a little diagram. He swore it was in the rules to do what he wanted. We had to settle on "I'll look it up later but for now, no".

[LazarX]

DungeonmasterCal wrote:

LazarX wrote:

DungeonmasterCal wrote:

Ok, a friend of mine swears you can take a 5 foot step when fighting an opponent solo to get a flanking attack on him. I can't find anything anywhere that backs this up. So is he right?

In order to be flanking you have to draw a line between two flank partners that passes through two opposite sides of the creature.

Since that's at a MINIMUM a two square movement, how could that be a 5 foot step? Ignoring the slight problem of being two places at once.

I told him that. Even drew a little diagram. He swore it was in the rules to do what he wanted. We had to settle on "I'll look it up later but for now, no".

If he says it's in the rules, then the proper reply is "SHOW ME".

Remember, that when the player says that he can do something the burden of proof is on him to prove that he can, not for you to prove that he can't.

[Nargemn]

It sounds like he may be misinterpreting the circling mongoose feat.

Other than that feat, no, five-foot stepping does not let you get to flank them under normal circumstances.

[DungeonmasterCal]

Groovy. Thanks, guys.

[Jeraa]

If he played D&D, he could also be remembering the (optional) facing rules in Unearthed Arcana. You did get a bonus if attacking from a creatures flank, even if solo.

[LazarX]

Like I've said before. When a player insists there is a rule you're not taking into account. The good response is... "show me".

[Gwiber]

Nargemn wrote:

It sounds like he may be misinterpreting the circling mongoose feat.

Other than that feat, no, five-foot stepping does not let you get to flank them under normal circumstances.

Dumb question, reading that referenced feat. Other than looking cool, what is the practical use of it?

[JohnHawkins]

Looks like a way to get sneak attack damage without feinting or having someone else available to flank

[Keith Apperson]

Gwiber wrote:

Nargemn wrote:

It sounds like he may be misinterpreting the circling mongoose feat.

Other than that feat, no, five-foot stepping does not let you get to flank them under normal circumstances.

Dumb question, reading that referenced feat. Other than looking cool, what is the practical use of it?

Also a decent way to set an ally up for a flank. Since you likely have two attacks, and the movement is specified as being before the attack: Five foot to the enemies 'side', attack, 5 foot step 'behind', attack (against flat footed, potentially sneak attacking). Now you are behind the enemy and another ally can step up for flanking. It's just giving you a tactical reposition while still full attacking.

The fun with 5 foot steps is that when you get more attacks, you change your pattern. Move from [South] to [West] to [North-West] to [North] on three attacks, put in [South-West] for four.