Charging lines, help

[Blackstorm]

So, let's say a situation like this:

(I hope it'll be clear)

XXXB
XX2X
C1XX
AXXX

B and C are enemies, A wants to charge B. Can he charge? As per definition of charge, there's effectively a line from one point of the square A that pass thorugh C square, even if the "real" movement of A is A->1->2, and doesn't touch C.

So, what the hell?

[toastedamphibian]

Blackstorm wrote:

A wants to charge B. Can he charge?

I'd say yes. If C where a solid object blocking off that entire square, then no (As you cannot cut the corner of a wall). Cutting the corner of a creatures space is widely permitted and does not carry any penalties in any other situation, I see no reason to treat that as an obstruction in this case.

[Khudzlin]

Yeah, it would only give C an AoO for moving to 1 (assuming C is armed with a non-reach weapon). Said AoO might stop the charge, but only if it trips A or drops them unconscious (the same as an AoO from B if they have reach).

[Evilserran]

What is 1? because it would seem to me that you have to go through 1s square which is not permitted on a normal charge unless you have dragon style or something that lets you charge through allies/difficult terrain

[Khudzlin]

If I understand OP correctly, 1 and 2 are empty squares. They're just numbered for ease of reference.

[LordKailas]

I agree, A can charge B, but C would get an AoO.

This is why hex maps are better. It's just a pain to draw rooms on hex maps

[Khudzlin]

LordKailas wrote:

This is why hex maps are better. It's just a pain to draw rooms on hex maps

No need for awkward rules for diagonals with hex maps. Yeah, you end up with a lot of partial hexes if you want to draw a rectangular room. Or you can approximate a hex grid by shifting every other row of a square grid half a square, which would leave you with cut-off squares only in the corners.

[blahpers]

No. A cannot charge B, for the reason you stated. The rules are very clear on this issue:

Movement During a Charge wrote:

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.

There exists a line from A to B that passes through C. No charge.

[blahpers]

toastedamphibian wrote:

Blackstorm wrote:

A wants to charge B. Can he charge?

Cutting the corner of a creatures space is widely permitted and does not carry any penalties in any other situation, I see no reason to treat that as an obstruction in this case.

This is not true. The rules for soft cover have a similar restriction--even just a smidge of a square containing a creature produces soft cover.

[Chess Pwn]

yeah the rules are clear, no, like you stated in the op.

[toastedamphibian]

blahpers wrote:

toastedamphibian wrote:

Blackstorm wrote:

A wants to charge B. Can he charge?

Cutting the corner of a creatures space is widely permitted and does not carry any penalties in any other situation, I see no reason to treat that as an obstruction in this case.

This is not true. The rules for soft cover have a similar restriction--even just a smidge of a square containing a creature produces soft cover.

Yep. Seems I'm wrong here. I still don't see any reason behind it.