Let's say 5 goblins are going dog pile an ogre and work together to grapple or trip him.
Flavor wise I see goblin A grabbing an arm, goblin B grabbing a leg etc. Until goblin E runs up at the end to topple him
Rules wise can this happen with each goblin running up and declaring aid another? or do they need to declare to ready an aid another and wait for goblin E to actually do his action?
Let's say 5 goblins are going dog pile an ogre and work together to grapple or trip him.
Flavor wise I see goblin A grabbing an arm, goblin B grabbing a leg etc. Until goblin E runs up at the end to topple him
Rules wise can this happen with each goblin running up and declaring aid another? or do they need to declare to ready an aid another and wait for goblin E to actually do his action?
Aid Another: "If you're in position to make a melee attack on an opponent that is engaging a friend in melee combat, you can attempt to aid your friend as a standard action."
If goblin E is not yet engaged in melee with the ogre, goblins A and B cannot yet aid him in grappling it. A readied action triggered by goblin E attempting a grapple would trigger just before the grapple, when goblin E is in range.
Alternately, goblins A and B could delay, goblin E could run up to the ogre and ready an action to grapple it once A and B have both attempted to help. Then A and B could each un-delay, aid another, and move back in case of E's spectacular failure.
As an aside, I suspect "dog pile" has a very different meaning to a goblin.
So this can't technically work out in 1 round as the first goblins would have to take a round to walk up, wait, then delay?
Or just have all the goblins invest in a teamwork feat. Possibly "Co-ordinated Maneuvers" or maybe "Tandem Trip".
If you allow old v3.5 feats, Swarm Fighting from either Races of Faerun or Complete Warrior works. Although the name implies it would help you fight swarms, it doesn't. It helps you fight LIKE a swarm.
Your scenario could work in one round. Goblin 1 spends a move action to move into combat position and then spends his standard action to ready a grapple attempt with the trigger of "after all other goblins act". Goblin 2 moves into position and aids another. Goblin 3 moves into position and aids another. Goblin N moves into position and aids another. If Goblin N was the last goblin, Goblin 1's readied action (the grapple attempt) now triggers. Goblin 1 makes his grapple attempt with the aid of all his fellows.
So this can't technically work out in 1 round as the first goblins would have to take a round to walk up, wait, then delay?
You cannot Delay if you have already taken an action on your turn.
Both of my examples assume the goblins can reach the ogre with a single move, and that they are not in a surprise round (or otherwise limited in actions). It also ignores any AoOs the ogre may be able to take.
Ataraxias: Both of Grick's possibilities work in a single round.
In option 1, A-D move, then ready to aid when E moves and grapples.
In option 2, A-D delay, E moves and readies to grapple, then A-D move and aid.
Ah ok, I read that first possibility incorrectly. Thanks.