Those rules don't say that.
Nothing automatic in these rules.Evasion and Pursuit
In round-by-round movement, when simply counting off squares, it's impossible for a slow character to get away from a determined fast character without mitigating circumstances. Likewise, it's no problem for a fast character to get away from a slower one.
When the speeds of the two concerned characters are equal, there's a simple way to resolve a chase: If one creature is pursuing another, both are moving at the same speed, and the chase continues for at least a few rounds, have them make opposed Dexterity checks to see who is the faster over those rounds. If the creature being chased wins, it escapes. If the pursuer wins, it catches the fleeing creature.
Sometimes a chase occurs overland and could last all day, with the two sides only occasionally getting glimpses of each other at a distance. In the case of a long chase, an opposed Constitution check made by all parties determines which can keep pace the longest. If the creature being chased rolls the highest, it gets away. If not, the chaser runs down its prey, outlasting it with stamina.
I think it's also important to note that while it suggests the opposed DEX and CON checks to resolve chases between characters of equal speed, it doesn't necessarily limit to only those instances.
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Doesn't anyone use their charisma any more? Flirt, Banter, Conversation? This will aid your PC in determining the intent of the NPC.
Go back to town and get the local smith to turn a gold coin into a wedding ring and tell the tiefling you have secreted something on your person and if she finds it - she wins.
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If they have the same speed, and if the quarry is visible to trigger the ready, then move followed by Ready Action (Move, if he moves) will get an AoO if he moves, but not if he withdraws. Nice creative idea that puts the GM in the metagame hotspot.Not to mention the player metagaming, right?
It would work once, then the target know of this tactic and react to it.I find the tactic of "if you (GM) have your NPC reacting intelligently to my action it is metagaming" very distasteful Howie.
I am sad to see you suggest this kind of tactic.
Sorry if I pushed one of your hot buttons and disappointed you, but please don't put words in my mouth.
If the PC moves, then readies to move again if the baddy moves, based upon with observed tactics or for tactical reasons of his own, this isn't meta gaming. Whether the PC's readied action is observable is a matter of playing style. My take on this is to use some variation of a Sense Motive if appropriate. If the NPC does not have the information, and the GM uses an action to negate it, such as a withdraw when there is no one threatening him, that is meta gaming on the part of the GM, not intelligent tactics on the part of the NPC.
After the tactic has been seen, for the NPC to take appropriate actions to counter the tactic is another story, and has nothing to do with what I was alluding to. If the NPC's tactic is already to move cautiously, that is, to withdraw, if within an observed single move of opponent, this isn't meta gaming. /end edit
I'm not responsible if you don't understand the difference or have jumped to a conclusion. If you disagree, so be it.
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If they have the same speed, and if the quarry is visible to trigger the ready, then move followed by Ready Action (Move, if he moves) will get an AoO if he moves, but not if he withdraws. Nice creative idea that puts the GM in the metagame hotspot.Question for you Howie. A 5' step is a move for your readied action?
It's an immaterial distinction with the response I've already provided, and I have no inclination to follow whatever fine line distinction you might be looking at given what is already taking an antagonistic flavor.
Carrying around a reach weapon was a good suggestion as well but I like the readied move action better. Thematically, I don't like the 'golf caddie of weapons' character. The readied move action was exactly what I was looking for, a simple solution that almost any character can do.
The "golf caddy of weapons" as you put it, is something that an actual adventurer would have. A ranged option (especially in a world where everyone and their grandma flies after level 10) at the very least.
I don't see many DMs handling it well when you say, "So I've been chasing this withdrawing guy for three rounds now. According to the Evasion and Pursuit rules I should automatically catch him."
Correction: You don't see many adversarial and/or immature GMs handling it well when you point out that the rules of the game put in place to stop this sort of b+@*!&#! say you should catch the guy.
I don't see many DMs handling it well when you say, "So I've been chasing this withdrawing guy for three rounds now. According to the Evasion and Pursuit rules I should automatically catch him."
And that's when you tell them that it's either that, or you put this on repeat for the next hour until one of you gives up.
