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I was DMing for my group last weekend, and during the session I had a monster do something I'm not quite happy with.
To set the scene: A group of goblins led by a bugbear spot the party over some rolling hills. The party, on their horse-drawn cart, move to engage. During the altercation, the bugbear disappears and the goblins are summarily defeated. Two PC's head off in the direction they last saw the bugbear, and the other three begin looting. Suddenly, the bugbear jumps out from behind the party's cart, and brains one of the (non-combat trained, standard bestiary) horses. With a successful acrobatics check, one of the PC's leap onto the cart, gaining the +1 higher ground bonus. The bugbear responds by making an intimidation check against the remaining horse, accompanied by a swift swat on the rump. The cart lurches forward, and the PC on it keeps her feet with another successful acrobatics check. As the cart moves forward, the PC 'moves' through two of the bugbear's threatened squares...
Now the question: Does the bugbear get an attack of opportunity against the PC on the cart?
I gave him one. The party loved the combat, and when the bugbear was dead, there were handshakes and congratulations all around.
I may have made the combat more fun and memorable... but did I do the right thing?
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I may have made the combat more fun and memorable... but did I do the right thing?
Making the encounter more fun and memorable is the goal not a side effect. You absolutely did the right thing.
As for the rules, I think you are also golden there. Movement provokes attacks of opportunity, it doesn't matter what the source of the movement. Some actions like bull rush and pull have specific mechanics that over ride the general case.
RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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I may have made the combat more fun and memorable... but did I do the right thing?
No matter what the rules lawyers who trawl this area may say. I think having a fun game is more important thatn one that follows all the rules. Rule Nazi's tend to be asked t leave the group when they start nitpicking to the extent it ruins the fun.
The Most Important Rule
The rules in this book are here to help you breathe life into your characters and the world they explore. While they are designed to make your game easy and exciting, you might find that some of them do not suit the style of play that your gaming group enjoys. Remember that these rules are yours. You can change them to fit your needs. Most Game Masters have a number of “house rules” that they use in their games. The Game Master and players should always discuss any rules changes to make sure that everyone understands how the game will be played. Although the Game Master is the final arbiter of the rules, the Pathfinder RPG is a shared experience, and all of the players should contribute their thoughts when the rules are in doubt. -Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook
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As the cart moves forward, the PC 'moves' through two of the bugbear's threatened squares...
Now the question: Does the bugbear get an attack of opportunity against the PC on the cart?
I gave him one. The party loved the combat, and when the bugbear was dead, there were handshakes and congratulations all around.
I may have made the combat more fun and memorable... but did I do the right thing?
Same as the comments above.
It was a sudden jerky movement, that took the PC by surprise, requiring them to make an Acrobatics check to stay on their feet; I can see that causing them to let their guard down.Only if the cart had very high sides, would it have provided cover, negating AoO, but that goes both ways, and since the PC jumped up there to attack the bugbear, I doubt that's the case.
The golden rule, whether running by Rules As Written, Rules As Intended, filling in a rules gap, or houseruling, is that whatever you decide applies both ways, to PC and NPC alike.
So I would expect the players will have mentally filed this one away, so don't be surprised if they pull it out later to use themselves.
Bravo, JO! You absolutely did the right thing! :D
The *wring* thing to do would have been to devolve into an argument about what provokes who is wdpasnjksfdsjfdsavndsavadsvhj!
What I mean is, *play* is the point. If next week you r players are still talking about it next session, it was a good session :)
And good move by the bugbear: even though he died the party is now dramatically slowed in goblin territory! :D
GNOME
You did the right thing. By 'right thing', I mean not stopping the game to look up whatever the book says.
I don't think I would have made the same decision; after all the guy on the cart is still focused on combat. He isn't taking his eyes off the enemy to move.
I agree he did the right thing, but I disagree with your stance. :)
I have been standing in the back of a pickup before when it suddenly moved on me, and I can tell you, it will blow your concentration. I was working on wiring a lighting fixture, and focusing very hard on it because the stupid casing wasn't cooperating with me putting the new wire in.
The parking brake gave, and the truck, on a 15 degree incline, started rolling forward. I panic'd, managed to stay on my feet, and was very disoriented for several seconds as I tried to keep my balance in a jerky jolting truck that was out of control and had no idea where I was. The truck finally ground into the side of the barn and stopped, about 20 feet on, but I tell you, if you'd been standing next to that truck as it rolled past, you could have hit me with a sledgehammer and I'd have never seen it coming.
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Thanks for all the support! They're all excited for the next game on Saturday, so I guess I'm doing alright.
So now to the can of worms I've opened:
so don't be surprised if they pull it out later to use themselves.
I fully expect the players to start looking for opportunities to use this to their advantage. And I will need to have more of the same to throw back at them.
This last incident was a happy accident, any suggestions for building encounters that include more buckles to be swashed?