I posted this on another thread as a reply but I think it is a dead thread. Any way I thought it warranted its own post.
I was thinking of replacing the 5' step rule with the following.
Combat Shift:
Base speed 5’ no 5' shift
Base speed 10’ – 30’ 5' shift
Base speed 35’ – 60’ 10' shift
Base speed 65’ – 90’ 15' shift
etc.
This would be augmented by size (based on the occupied square size)
5' Tiny - Medium +0'
10' Large +5'
15' Huge +10'
20' Gargantuan +15'
30' Colossal +25'
This total cannot exceed the character/creatures base move.
Any movement over this value would provoke an Attack of Opportunity.
This shift movement could be divided in half and taken between attacks. if the combat shift value ends in a 5 then it the 5’would be chosen between the first or second move.
i.e a character/creature w 5’ shift could only move 1 time
10’ could move 5’ and 5’
15’ could move 10’ and 5’ or 5' and 10'
etc
This would allow a creature that is Colossal move a normal steps distance. A 5-6’ human covers about 2.5-3’ with a step (about half its height) so a 5’ step is really about 2 steps. So a 30’ tall giant would cover 6 times that which would be 30’ (2 15’ steps). This would be more in line unless it has really tiny legs. A 5’ step for a colossal dragon means it would have to take baby steps the equivalent of a human taking about a 5” step. Sort of unfair.
Second it allows for characters/creatures that move with exceptional speed to move a bit farther without being attacked.
Meh, the big advantage of the 5' step is that you do not provoke AoOs when you use it. If you allow characters to move 15' without provoking AoOs then manuvering rogues becomes stupidly easy, and there is no point in having the acrobatic skill.
That is true (and thanks for the feedback) but it only effects larger or faster characters/Creatures not Most. Almost every char moves in the 20-30 range except monks and barbarians.
So perhapse anything after 5' + the size modifier provokes. I dont see many huge or gigantic creatures with Acrobatics skill. And they are practically standing still with a 5' step.
Fleet feat would get so much better. Not only increase you max speed, but also 5 ft step. Longstrider/expeditious retreat/ boots of striding and sprinting become mandatory for any rogue, who can now get into flanking position every round, no way to realy avoid it. I think there are too many ways to get to a 10 ft step, and that is huge in this system.
That is true (and thanks for the feedback) but it only effects larger or faster characters/Creatures not Most. Almost every char moves in the 20-30 range except monks and barbarians.
So perhapse anything after 5' + the size modifier provokes. I dont see many huge or gigantic creatures with Acrobatics skill. And they are practically standing still with a 5' step.
I could see a house rule where larger creatures can take a step equal to their facing, but that makes larger creatures even more dangerous.
Example
You are fighting a 20' x 20' humanoid with a reach of 10'. The fighter charges in and takes an AoO and gets 1 attack. The creature takes a 10' or 15' step, then makes a full attack against the fighter. The fighter will have to move again, take another AoO, and will still only get 1 attack.
Basically, you are giving the larger creatures a free attack every round AND limiting the medium size creatures to 1 attack per round against a larger creature.
Charender -
That senario would be correct except for the giving them an extra attack wouldnt always be true. Who said the fighter would have to move in. There are supposed to be tactics in the game.
There are counters to that as well though. The step up feat. Pole arms actually become usefull. Use a ranged weapon. Use terrain to your advantage.
Suddenly giants arent such a push over.