Is 5 foot step too op and works not as intended?

[aclyte]

Hello!

I'm playing the game using turn based mode.
And every time enemy engage my archer or mage in melee i just 5-foot step out and shoot/cast without any provoked Attacks of opportunity.

As a result, archers/casters almost immune to AoO. As i understand, you can't do this trick in RtwP mode.

Looks like 5 foot step gives too big moving distance (much more than "5 feet") which result in this kind of exploit.

Am i right?

[Amaterasu]

How should they attack you with a melee weapon, if you are not in range?

[S N E E D]

Originally posted by aclyte:

Hello!

I'm playing the game using turn based mode.
And every time enemy engage my archer or mage in melee i just 5-foot step out and shoot/cast without any provoked Attacks of opportunity.

As a result, archers/casters almost immune to AoO. As i understand, you can't do this trick in RtwP mode.

Looks like 5 foot step gives too big moving distance (much more than "5 feet") which result in this kind of exploit.

Am i right?

it's not an exploit, 5ft step's purpose is literally for what you're saying, it's also quite good for moving your melee guys into range and still getting full attacks.

[mk11]

In theory, if the foe has a longer than normal reach then you would still be in the threatened area. However, I'm not sure how well Owlcat implement reach.

[Max Kojote, M.SC]

Originally posted by mk11:

In theory, if the foe has a longer than normal reach then you would still be in the threatened area. However, I'm not sure how well Owlcat implement reach.

Oh they do it fairly well (look at the glaive cultists early on, it works with them). However enemies tend to just engage at their max distance a lot of the time so it ends up not being as much of an issue.

[forkofspite]

Working as intended except for the fact that enemies don't use the 5-ft step. As such, the game mechanic is only available to the player which makes it much more powerful than intended.

[Steffan]

Originally posted by forkofspite:

Working as intended except for the fact that enemies don't use the 5-ft step. As such, the game mechanic is only available to the player which makes it much more powerful than intended.

+1

[Stink Bug]

The game not being based on a grid (or even a hex) also makes 5ft step more powerful, since you have more wiggle room to squeeze past allies and enemies rather than being clearly blocked.

I wonder how the game would have been had it been hex-based. It could still be done in real-time (though the movement animations might be a little more awkward) but in theory it could have led to better pathfinding, as well as proper flanking rules, better defined AOEs, and smoother charge/bullrush mechanics.

[hilburnashua]

The biggest reason why taking a 5' step is stronger in this then in tabletop is because the computer stops the opponent when it moves the opponent to within the minimal distance needed to hit the target. So, a large sized creature normally can hit something 10' away, in tabletop the GM is going to have that guy move right up and get in that archer's face. So, if the archer takes a 5' step away, the archer is still going to be in the the monster's reach. Also, we don't have feats like Step Up and Following Step, which make life hell for ranged specialists.

[Steffan]

Originally posted by Stink Bug:

The game not being based on a grid (or even a hex) also makes 5ft step more powerful, since you have more wiggle room to squeeze past allies and enemies rather than being clearly blocked.

I wonder how the game would have been had it been hex-based. It could still be done in real-time (though the movement animations might be a little more awkward) but in theory it could have led to better pathfinding, as well as proper flanking rules, better defined AOEs, and smoother charge/bullrush mechanics.

At tabletop you can pass through friends. And you can block passages even now.

I usually try not to make 5 foot step when adjacent to enemies. It makes it fairer.