Do I actually need to move in a Bull Rush?


Rules Questions

RPG Superstar 2014 Top 32

Hi all. I poked around in the search for half an hour but couldn't find an answer; apologies if I've just got the blinded condition, here.

So I play a lot of 3.5, and in 3.5's Bull Rush rules the SRD states:

d20srd.org wrote:
If you beat the defender’s Strength check result, you push him back 5 feet. If you wish to move with the defender, you can push him back an additional 5 feet for each 5 points by which your check result is greater than the defender’s check result.

The SRD specifically notes that if you want to push someone further than 5 feet you have to move with them.

But the rules on Bull Rush in the Pathfinder PRD state:

Pathfinder PRD wrote:
If your attack is successful, your target is pushed back 5 feet. For every 5 by which your attack exceeds your opponent's CMD you can push the target back an additional 5 feet. You can move with the target if you wish but you must have the available movement to do so. If your attack fails, your movement ends in front of the target.

The wording here seems to be saying that in Pathfinder you can push someone to the limit of your Bull Rush check without actually moving any extra distance yourself - you can move with them 'if you wish', but it doesn't affect the distance the enemy moves.

Is this intentional? Was Bull Rush changed so you can knock your foes backwards witout needing to move yourself, or is it just a case of vagueish wording?

Cheers for any clarification.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

You do not need to move with the target to bull rush them further than 5ft.


It was intentional. Likely to avoid attack of opportunity stuff from voluntary movement, and to simplify.


As long as you have move speed left in your turn you can continue with them. I can't remember if you can partially move, like if you shove them 15 feet can you move 10?

Just remember that if you bull rush someone off a cliff, no you do not have to go with them.

Unless you wish to.

RPG Superstar 2014 Top 32

Heh, so I can shoulder-barge someone and throw them 25 feet without moving myself? That's awesome :D

Thanks for the clarifications, everyone.

Sovereign Court

Total Biscuit wrote:

Heh, so I can shoulder-barge someone and throw them 25 feet without moving myself? That's awesome :D

Thanks for the clarifications, everyone.

If you can exceed the DC to bull rush someone by 20, you deserve awesome results.


My thanks as well! I was wondering the same thing.

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