Question regarding snares and the ranger.
Can I prepare an action to place a snare the moment an enemy is coming to hurt me, my feelings, my ancestors and my beloved puppy "Felix"?
Provided the ranger has https://2e.aonprd.com/Feats.aspx?ID=527
The trigger would be "before the enemy enters my adjacent square".
My DM insists that the enemy can change the path, thus avoiding the snare, because he saw me placing it (technically, because the trigger would activate BEFORE stepping in the "trapped" square)
Wouldn't it be too late? I mean, it's him entering the square the trigger...
Can you please spell out exactly how you would rule in this situation?
Fine. But in this way, would the enemy have ANY chance to avoid my snare apart from the save?
I would say that you couldn't set a trigger as "before a creature enters X square". Triggers refer to actions that happen, not ones that are going to happen. You can trigger a reaction after each instance of a creature entering or leaving a square, not before either happens as far as I can tell.
As to whether a creature could "dodge" a snare placed in this way, the question would be whether they noticed you placing it. If you are a hidden creature relative to them, then they would have to detect the Snare you place. If however you are observed, I dont believe you could get away with setting a snare "secretly" enough that they wouldn't have the opportunity to alter their movement.
After all, we dont set out our entire movements when we declare a movement action. You make the action, then move squares until out of movement. There are no restrictions on whether you could "juke" away from an obvious trap.
My 2 cents.
Another question, does lightning snare applies to the "free" snares given by snare specialist?
I would say that you couldn't set a trigger as "before a creature enters X square". Triggers refer to actions that happen, not ones that are going to happen. You can trigger a reaction after each instance of a creature entering or leaving a square, not before either happens as far as I can tell.
As to whether a creature could "dodge" a snare placed in this way, the question would be whether they noticed you placing it. If you are a hidden creature relative to them, then they would have to detect the Snare you place. If however you are observed, I dont believe you could get away with setting a snare "secretly" enough that they wouldn't have the opportunity to alter their movement.
After all, we dont set out our entire movements when we declare a movement action. You make the action, then move squares until out of movement. There are no restrictions on whether you could "juke" away from an obvious trap.
My 2 cents.
This is exactly my DM's reasoning...
Snares trigger when a creature enters the square it's placed in. If the creature is already in the square then the snare is planted, it won't trigger.