Non-improved feint

[js3]

Maybe there's a thread about this already, that I couldn't find; please refer me to it if there is:

1. If I successfully (non-improved) feint somebody, and then on his turn he hits me... my next attack on him still gets the bonus, because he's still faked out?

2. If I successfully (non-improved) feint somebody, and then on his turn he withdraws... on my next turn I can close the distance with him and attack him, getting the bonus, because he's still faked out?

These don't make a lot of sense to me. Do they make any sense to you all?

[Davi The Eccentric]

Yes. Regardless of what he does or does not do in his next round, he's still flatfooted to you until the end of your next turn.

[js3]

Davi The Eccentric wrote:

Yes. Regardless of what he does or does not do in his next round, he's still flatfooted to you until the end of your next turn.

I understand that's the RAW. But as the GM, how am I supposed to narrate that? It seems kind of hard to justify... you feint, I stab you, and now I'm flatfooted to you afterward?

[Razz]

js3 wrote:

Davi The Eccentric wrote:

Yes. Regardless of what he does or does not do in his next round, he's still flatfooted to you until the end of your next turn.

I understand that's the RAW. But as the GM, how am I supposed to narrate that? It seems kind of hard to justify... you feint, I stab you, and now I'm flatfooted to you afterward?

It takes a lot of creativity to describe it, but it can be done. Best bet is to just say "you feinted successfully". It's all about misleading, deception, quick reflexes, persuading the target you are going to DEFINITELY do one thing but then pull a fast one and do another.

To me, a non-Improved Feint just takes longer for a character to pull off. If in melee I would describe it as "You make a series of attacks to lure your opponent into a false sense of security by making it believe it has your attack patterns and routine and its weaknesses pinpointed. In time, you manage to surprise it with an unexpected maneuver."

or

"As it attacks thinking it's targeting a flaw in your maneuvering, it realizes the real mistake was falling victim to your ploy and you catch it off-guard as it goes for your apparent opening."

or

"You display purposeful mistakes in your attack routine, but defend properly enough to not get struck but try to make it appear as if you were just lucky. As the enemy is fooled into underestimating you, you watch him withdraw safely away. As you give chase, you fumble and appear exhausted and as he goes to take advantage you shock him with a sudden surge of speed, energy, and a well-placed attack."

or

"You turn your head and act like you're ducking while calling out "fireball!" and your opponent is distracted for a moment. You strike within that moment before he realizes it."

Remember, everything in a combat round isn't static. You may only get 1 attack per round, but your character is actually dodging, moving, parrying, swinging, keeping at bay, etc. while he finds that one chance to penetrate an enemy's defenses. At higher levels, you're obviously more experienced at combat and, therefore, able to drive in more attacks efficiently on a full-attack. It's the same when pulling off a feint.

With Improved Feint, it just means your character has mastered the quick-thinking, fast-paced and/or persuasive and deceitful methods oif feinting to a point where he can pull off stunts like that faster.