Charging and straight lines

[Gambit]

This debate came up in play the other day, basically, the question is, does someone who uses the charge action have to move in a straight line?

Here is a scenario, using a square grid battle mat, an orc is 40 feet away and one square to the right at the end of that 40 feet, for a total of 45 feet movement, with no dificult terrain or other impediments, well below the 60 a human character is capable of charging. Can the human charge the orc, or is he unable to because the orc is technically not in a straight line from the human?

[concerro]

Gambit wrote:

This debate came up in play the other day, basically, the question is, does someone who uses the charge action have to move in a straight line?

Here is a scenario, using a square grid battle mat, an orc is 40 feet away and one square to the right at the end of that 40 feet, for a total of 45 feet movement, with no dificult terrain or other impediments, well below the 60 a human character is capable of charging. Can the human charge the orc, or is he unable to because the orc is technically not in a straight line from the human?

You do have to charge in a straight line.

In other words if you can reach him without changing direction you can charge. Use pencil or laser pointer if it is hard to line up. As long as he is within reach of your weapon he can be hit.

[BigNorseWolf]

Gambit wrote:

This debate came up in play the other day, basically, the question is, does someone who uses the charge action have to move in a straight line?

Here is a scenario, using a square grid battle mat, an orc is 40 feet away and one square to the right at the end of that 40 feet, for a total of 45 feet movement, with no dificult terrain or other impediments, well below the 60 a human character is capable of charging. Can the human charge the orc, or is he unable to because the orc is technically not in a straight line from the human?

Uhmm.. that IS a strait line. Any two points have a strait line between them. That the line is not going perfectly north south east or west has no bearing on the fact that that is a strait line.

[Skeld]

The point of charging in a "straight line" is that the charger can't move in a curve or make a turn. "Straight line" for charging doesn't mean a specific row or column of squares in the grid.

If you can draw a straight line between attacker and defender within the range of a double move that does not intersect any objects, characters, difficult terrain, etc., then it's a valid target for a charge.

-Skeld

[Gambit]

Thanks, you guys are confirming what I already knew, I just wanted some message board backing on this.

[Torinath]

Gambit wrote:

This debate came up in play the other day, basically, the question is, does someone who uses the charge action have to move in a straight line?

Here is a scenario, using a square grid battle mat, an orc is 40 feet away and one square to the right at the end of that 40 feet, for a total of 45 feet movement, with no dificult terrain or other impediments, well below the 60 a human character is capable of charging. Can the human charge the orc, or is he unable to because the orc is technically not in a straight line from the human?

Charge from PRD:

-Movement During a Charge: You must move before your attack, not after. You must move at least 10 feet (2 squares) and may move up to double your speed directly toward the designated opponent. If you move a distance equal to your speed or less, you can also draw a weapon during a charge attack if your base attack bonus is at least +1.

-You must have a clear path toward the opponent, and nothing can hinder your movement (such as difficult terrain or obstacles). You must move to the closest space from which you can attack the opponent. If this space is occupied or otherwise blocked, you can't charge. If any line from your starting space to the ending space passes through a square that blocks movement, slows movement, or contains a creature (even an ally), you can't charge. Helpless creatures don't stop a charge.
-If you don't have line of sight to the opponent at the start of your turn, you can't charge that opponent.
-You can't take a 5-foot step in the same round as a charge.
-If you are able to take only a standard action on your turn, you can still charge, but you are only allowed to move up to your speed (instead of up to double your speed) and you cannot draw a weapon unless you possess the Quick Draw feat. You can't use this option unless you are restricted to taking only a standard action on your turn.

Bold is mine. "Straight line" is not even included in RAW. So the answer should be obvious.