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I've always been a bit bothered by 5ft steps in the middle of melee.
Casters stepping back to cast a spell, archers doing the same; sure makes total sense.
My issue comes in when melee characters make a 5' step from directly in front of an enemy to directly to the NPC's left/right side. I know it's so the players can get into flanking faster, but it seems strange to me.
Am I reading the rules correctly and this is legal, with no repercussions to the person taking the step?
Yes, it is legal.
Why shouldn't it be?
It is legal because by movement rules, the first diagonal entered counts as five feet-worth of movement.
Lanith,
NPCs and monsters with an intelligence score may use these same tactical maneuvers for the same reasons.
It's both legal and completely realistic. That type of movement happens all the time in sparring, hand-to-hand combat, etc. You're constantly moving around seeking to put your opponent in a bad position.