When using aggressive block it states :
You push back as you block the attack, knocking your foe away or off balance. You use your shield to push the triggering creature, either automatically Shoving it 5 feet or causing it to become flat-footed until the start of your next turn. The triggering creature chooses whether to be moved or become flat-footed. If it chooses to be moved, you choose the direction. If the Shove would cause it to hit a solid object, enter a square of difficult terrain, or enter another creature’s space, it must become flat-footed instead of being moved.
My question is in regards to the chosen direction of movement if the creature chooses to move. Can this movement be any square around the creature or does it have to objectively be further away from the point of origin of the shove?
It uses the Shove action, with automatic Success, so yes, it must be away from you. No Shoving with Reach to pull something closer.
Core Rulebook (283)
SHOVE
ATHLETICS SKILL ACTION
×
ATTACK
Requirements You have at least one hand free. The target can’t be more than one size larger than you.You push an opponent away from you. Attempt an Athletics check against your opponent’s Fortitude DC.
Critical Success You push your opponent up to 10 feet away from you. You can Stride after it, but you must move the same distance and in the same direction.
Success You push your opponent back 5 feet. You can Stride after it, but you must move the same distance and in the same direction.
Critical Failure You lose your balance, fall, and land prone.
Is diagonally away also away, or does Shove only allow straight away movements?
Is diagonally away also away, or does Shove only allow straight away movements?
I believe directly left, directly right, diagonally back left, diagonally back right, or straight back would all constitute "away", as you are creating more squares between you and the target. This would also explain the "you choose the direction" wording.
Yes, moving them to the left or right still technically ends with them 5 feet away, but that's really only to make measuring on a grid easier.
Honestly I think this Feat is best used next to a wall anyway, to guarantee the Flat-Footed condition.
I believe directly left, directly right, diagonally back left, diagonally back right, or straight back would all constitute "away", as you are creating more squares between you and the target. This would also explain the "you choose the direction" wording.
Yes, moving them to the left or right still technically ends with them 5 feet away, but that's really only to make measuring on a grid easier.
Would you also agree that in case of a critical success and 10 feet of shoving" you could chose any path as long as the enemy ends up 10 feet away from you?
Left - left, left - diagonally left, left - straight back etc.
Honestly I think this Feat is best used next to a wall anyway, to guarantee the Flat-Footed condition.
Shove, yes. Aggressive block however can still cost your enemy actions, e.g. if he is no longer in melee range after your block, or the enemy choses to become flat-footed, so it is also quite nice in the open.
I believe directly left, directly right, diagonally back left, diagonally back right, or straight back would all constitute "away", as you are creating more squares between you and the target. This would also explain the "you choose the direction" wording.
Yes, moving them to the left or right still technically ends with them 5 feet away, but that's really only to make measuring on a grid easier.
Would you also agree that in case of a critical success and 10 feet of shoving" you could chose any path as long as the enemy ends up 10 feet away from you?
Left - left, left - diagonally left, left - straight back etc.
Sounds fair to me.
This is how I run it, yes.