What are the mechanics of switching spots with an Ally without the Teamwork feat?

[harmor]

How would one switch spots with an ally?

Method 1:

1a) Player A makes a readied action to move into Player's B spot when Player B enters his square.
1b) On Player B's turn he moves into Player's A spot.
1c) Player's A readied action now goes off.
1d) Player A moves to Player's B original square.
1e) Player A's action ends.
1f) Player B's action continues.

Method 2:

2a) Player A makes a readied action to do a standard action (e.g. attack) when Player B enters his square
2b) On Player B's turn he moves into Player's A spot.
2c) Player's A readied action now goes off.
2d) Player A, as part of his standard action he readied takes a 5-foot step THEN attacks
2e) Player A's action ends.
2f) Player B's action continues.

Or is there another way to do this?

[oneplus999]

method 3: player A uses a "reposition" cmb on player B :D

[karkon]

Bullrush your friend back.

[Grick]

karkon wrote:

Bullrush your friend back.

I've wondered this for other reasons, but can you voluntarily lower your defenses to allow an attack to hit you? (Similar to a cure spell not requiring a touch attack on a friend, or choosing not to save vs a spell)

If so, the bullrush tactic is excellent. It only provokes from your buddy (who probably will not hit you) and if he can drop his CMD/fail the check then it'll go off no problem. This would also work with the tiny syringe spears full of cure potions (cheese), or the celestial sorcerer healing ray.

I suspect the most you could do is deny yourself your dex for the purposes of the friendly attack.

[Dosgamer]

We generally run it using held actions. If A has a higher initiative than B and wants to replace B on the front line, A simply holds their action until after B goes. When it's people working together within a party we try not to overly complicate things.

[DemonGrinder]

Here's the question I have regarding the second method that is described by harmor.

If the readied action (5-foot step and attack) takes place immediately before the event that triggers it (B entering A's square), wouldn't A and B be in the same square while A is attempting their attack roll as B hasn't been able to actually leave their square yet to enter A's square? And wouldn't the fact that A and B are sharing B's square leave A at certain negatives to hit? Only after the attack is resolved and the readied action complete would B finalize the move out of its original square and into the square A had previously occupied?

(I also don't know that wording it to say something like "when B ARRIVES in A's square" would work because "immediately before B ARRIVES in A's square" means they haven't yet arrived and are by definition still in their own square as I don't know of any rules that cover being between two squares. Although I'd be happy to be corrected.)

Could A instead ready their action (5-foot step and attack) to be triggered when B continues OUT of the square A currently occupies. Then, on B's turn B chooses to move THROUGH A's square to one square past A. This would trigger the readied action while B was still in A's current square and not yet moved through to the square behind it leaving B's original square fully empty for A to 5-foot step into and attack with no negatives.

If so, once the interrupt has resolved does B actually have to step into that additional square or, depending on what may have happened during the resolution of the readied action (say, A killed whatever they were attacking), can B choose some other course of action such as continuing movement past even that additional square, possibly in a new direction, or even simply staying in A's original square? Does the obvious paradox that if B doesn't actually leave A's original square and step into that additional square the trigger never fires and the readied action never actually takes place dictate that B must at least step into that additional square but then be free to perform some other action after they have done so?

This has at least two ramifications as I see it. If B does have to step into that additional square they would be sacrificing 5' to 10' of movement if they decide to change directions, not that critical but possibly a big deal. If B does not have to take that additional move into that additional square, is it possible they could chose to stay in that square and could that be considered simply a 5-foot step and allowing them a full round action?

(Not to mention the mildly Three Stooges visual of B seemingly over running by 5 feet the position you would assume they would shoot for if A and B were simply switching places and then the indignity of having to step right back 5 feet to where they had just been. N-yuk, n-yuk, n-yuk.)

I've seen some talk that when a character readies an action to trigger in the event another character casts a spell that even though the readied action happens immediately before the casting, and that the caster might choose to do something different based on the resolution of that readied action, the caster must, regardless, complete the spell, although it could possible choose a different target. As that scenario, readied actions and spellcasting, is somewhat specifically addressed in the rules regarding readied actions I'd be happy if anyone could direct me to an official declaration that those rules apply to movement, as described here, as well.

Or am I missing something obvious?

Thanks!

[Dust Raven]

I've generally used "method 1" as harmor describes it. When I group likes to do this a lot, I begin recommending the teamwork feat.

[DemonGrinder]

The drawback to method A is that A does not get to attack that round or if they do would they be at negatives.

I guess what I am hoping someone might be able to provide is a link or reference to an official stance on the issue. Specifically, because the interrupt happens immediately before the action that triggers it, are the two characters in the same square until readied action has been resolved?

Or, if considering the alternative scenario that I've detailed, does B have to actually step into the additional square to complete the triggering action after the readied action has been resolved or can they change their mind and stay where they are? If they can, can that be a 5-foot step allowing them to take their full round action?

I understand that I can house rule that however I like, but I'm looking for the official line on these situations. To a certain degree it goes beyond this exact scenario to the larger question of at what point can the triggering character begin to change their actions based on the resolution of the readied action. I understand this is addressed somewhat regarding spell casters but the fact it is specified for that situation almost suggests movement may be judged differently. Not to mention the question of whether the triggering character remains in their square until the readied action is resolved.

If careful planning and the proper application of the rules would allow the characters to effectively switch places without having to each use a feat slot I'd prefer to give my players that option.

Regardless, thanks for your insight regardless, Dust Raven.