You love ’em. FACING DIRECTION All PCs and most monsters have a facing: the direction to the adjacent square the character or creature is pointing toward. This variant rule is … While I often have combat on a grid, I don’t always, so I would like flanking to work with theater of the mind encounters. Note that the description given still makes it clear that the sequence inserted between p.His7 and pGln8 is probably derived from nearby, i.e. The rules assume that creatures are constantly moving and shifting within their spaces, looking in all directions during a fight. But when it does, it's a nice reward. But it just doesn't work for 5e. The Variant: Flanking rules in the DMG (page 251) require adjacency, but is the intent that the Enemy has combatants on opposite sides and thus someone with Reach (and using the reach) could still flank even if not directly adjacent? Philanthropy 16. (If using tokens to represent inspiration, keep this pile near the center of the table so all players take notice.) September 13, 2019 @ 1:19 pm. What does "combat in alternating lines" mean? You can order The Demonplague, my level 1 – 20 fifth edition adventure, right now! Press J to jump to the feed. It makes flanking very easy. There are two different ways in the CLC Genomics Workbench to add flanking sequences to variant information. This is my main argument too. It's not really overpowered, because if enemies do it too then I guess it balances out. I always thought that your movement inside a creatures AoO range should be slowed. What if the pool is maxed out and the players use it ALL to do or achieve something truly epic? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts If you like what you’re reading please consider supporting me on Patreon, supporting me on Ko-fi, follow me on Twitter, like World Builder Blog on Facebook, check out my podcasts, find my products on the DMs Guild, tell your friends about the blog, and/or leave me a comment and let me know you think. You end up with the stupid "flanking conga lines" far too often when you use flanking. Brass Tacks / When it grants advantage, you use it before the roll and might be more likely to use it since you spend it before you know the result of a failure, but in order for this idea to take hold, you have to get it frequently, which is the other problem the inspiration. I mean, it makes sense, but it only rewards them. Also, the flanking variant as written in the Dungeon Master’s Guide is hard to parse without a grid. The bomb can be exploded on its turn in vertical and horizontal directions (similar to the movement of a rook), destroying any pieces in the blast range. I’ll let you know how it goes. Flanking Variant. The decisive factor was the cartho reserve unit which managed to intervene decisively in the centre and left flank, in turn freeing units to intervene on the right flank. The inspiration pot can hold a maximum number of points equal to the number of player characters in the party, and cannot exceed this maximum. Flanking also featured in previous editions - e.g. This only occurs if the Flanking Variant Rule are used. I'm playing a barbarian and rarely have to use reckless attacks since we included this variant rule. Item Handoff 10. Increasing the teamwork value of inspiration makes it more visible, more valuable, and more likely to be used at the table. Flank Chess Introduction. Inspiration is a group resource. Definitely going to be workshopping this! I don't like it. Basically, you need to be somewhat threatening in order to flank. Not RAW. September 12, 2019 @ 5:29 pm. D&D, D&D fifth edition, DnD, fifth edition Dungeons and Dragons, Flanking, Inspiration, rules module, variant rules / Pardon the pun “it was an inspirational variant.”. Great article and I’m really looking forward to trying both of these out! So why did they remove the flanking from the core rules? Meanwhile, you can't take one lousy step backwards safely. Bomberman chess: Inspired by the Bomberman video game series. I've been using the DMG "flanking for advantage" optional rule as a sort of port of previous edition flanking, but I really like how this "flanking for +2 to hit" rule sounds. 1. (He cannot order units in both of his sections.) With a reroll you only use inspiration when you fail. Flank Chess is played on a 10x9 board. Variant rules, pieces and board. Sound off in the comments below! I figured another way to get advantage would be a good thing, but hadn't considered that it is so easy to do that it makes a lot of other things sub-optimal. Card Notes: Certain cards have special rules: Standard Left/Center/Right cards: These cards must be played in the appropriate flank*: Left card on the left flanks, etc. DMs often forget to give inspiration, so when they do have it, players either forget to use it (because it isn’t being mentioned often) or hoard it because it is rare, which creates a cycle of no one using inspiration. There are a lot of awesome ideas and points (and puns) in here. Animal Training 3. It may become an optional advanced combat variant rule along with diagonal movement in the Dungeon’s Masters Guide. This version of flanking is very powerful in play and sometimes results in a bunch of miniatures doing a line dance as they all line up to battle each other. Played on a 10×8 board with special bomb and defuser pieces. Disenchanting a Magic Item 7. (Will you use your reaction to help your friend or save it for something else like a possible opportunity attack or casting counterspell?) The problem isn't with flanking providing advantage, it's with being able to flank so easily compared to 4e because of unrealistic OA rules. Which I intend to fully exploit until changed. 4. 251) If you have an ally on the opposite side of an enemy, you get advantage on attacks against that enemy. I agree. Chapter 8 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide has great advice and variants for inspiration and even touches on the one I am about to suggest. I mainly altered this rule so that flanking stacked with advantage - as there are at least 50 abilities or spells that confer advantage in D&D. Sure, there's other benefits to having a grappler, but it takes a lot of the appeal away. A description using "dup" is not correct since, by definition, a duplication should be directly 3'-flanking of the original copy (in tandem). On theater of the mind that can get a bit unbalanced by allowing help reaction anyway, I think. The Dungeon Master’s Guide already has optional rules for flanking in chapter 8. When a creature and at least one of its allies are adjacent to an enemy and on opposite sides or corners of the enemy’s space, they flank that enemy, and each of them has advantage on melee attack rolls against that enemy. The modifications are only experimental game mechanics for playtest, and do not constitute It's worth considering that typically (or classically, anyway) the enemies are going to outnumber the PCs. It may become an optional advanced combat variant rule along with diagonal movement in the Dungeon’s Masters Guide. If you regularly use miniatures, flanking gives combatants a simple way to gain advantage on attack rolls against a common enemy. James Introcaso Without these rules, flanking in 5e is trivial to obtain and extremely powerful (Advantage). As Pete says, it basically lets players use Help as a reaction. In third and fourth edition, flanking gave a numerical bonus to attack rolls. Players can describe their characters distracting enemies with feints, growls, wet-willies, and more as they use their reactions to help their friends (which is less likely to happen when flanking grants a static bonus). Under these circumstances, the Conga Line of Death makes sense from a mechanical standpoint, as every melee combatant wants to get advantage on their attack rolls. Daniel L Armstrong The more reserved roleplayers, who maybe do not earn inspiration as often as others, can still benefit and participate in this part of the game, and those actor types who you always want to give more than a single shot of inspiration can now earn more for the group. I used to see it ALL the time in 3.5, pathfinder, and 4e. The variant should be described as an insertion; g.17_18ins5_16. We use it and I don't like it. Best of all this adds a neat roleplaying element to combat for those who prefer it. The following sections describe the changes to the basic rule system and quick reference sheets, the army organizations, unit ratings, and special rules for the era, and one or two historical scenarios. However, I did see that the way it worked tended to nerf other abilites that also grant flanking, to the point that the other abilities were really diminished. With this variant system, a character who has the Spellcasting feature uses spell points instead of spell slots to fuel spells. Like most inspiration rules the one I am proposing works best if you award inspiration as some sort of token the players can see and hand back to you when they spend it (e.g. When a player earns inspiration as described in chapter 4 of the Player’s Handbook (or using the variant rules in chapter 8 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide), an inspiration point goes into an inspiration pot. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Traveling The goal is to checkmate the king. With that in mind, here’s my variant rule for flanking. I have sent the group inspiration pot in other systems and in them, the pot has a max of 6 and the DM removes one token at the end of each round so it becomes a ‘use it or lose it’ mechanic which definitely encourages players to use the resource and as quickly as possible. Spell points give a caster more flexibility, at the cost of greater complexity. With flanking rules however we added Move action: Shift from 4e as well and removed 5e's "feel free to dance around people" movement rules. No way. If you have inspiration, you can expend it when you make an attack roll, saving throw, or ability check. The unusual aspects of this game are the empty perimeter squares and new pieces, particularly the … When a creature and at least one of its allies are adjacent to an enemy and on opposite sides or corners of the enemy’s space, they flank that enemy, and each of them has advantage on melee attack rolls against that enemy. Alchemy 2. If you see me there, say hi! Thank you all SO MUCH for these comments. This is covered by the frightened condition, which gives the target disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks. Inspiration is another tricky one. 6) Modified Flanking Rules Rule: Flanking no longer provides advantage, but instead provides +1d6 to hit, AND +1d6 to damage. The idea of being able to just run circles around an enemy without provoking an OA is ridiculous. Armor and Damage Redux 4. Flanking (pg. When two allied creatures are within 5 feet of an enemy creature and one of the allied creatures makes a melee attack against that enemy, the other allied creature can use its reaction to grant advantage on the attack roll (before the roll is made). Skill Advancement 19. In this variant, each spell has a point cost based on its level. Realistic Healing 18. Creating A Permanent Spell Effect 6. Never tried having it in a pool though and I like the idea of players being able to advocate for each other to get them. Spending an inspiration point gives advantage on that roll. Combat in alternating lines...ugh. carldot34 I really liked flanking treated like a way of using the help action as a reaction. The variant rule simulates the political and military liability (in game terms, potential VP damage) of a prolonged, unjustifiable MEF presence on the Turkish beaches. With that in mind, here’s my variant rule for flanking. If I were to ever use it, it'd provide +1 to attack. ), some of it is merely changing the calibration rather than the mechanics. September 20, 2019 @ 5:34 pm. The one thing that ticks me off is that you can run rings around someone within their attack range without penalty. Optional Rule: Flanking. September 13, 2019 @ 8:12 am. Without these rules, flanking in 5e is trivial to obtain and extremely powerful (Advantage). I have been using the “flanking grants advantage” rule at my table for a while. Personal Truename Research 15. I really like the concept of inspiration in D&D, but I in practice many groups forget to use it. Flank Chess Introduction. I bet there are a lot of ways a full pool could be used to great effect. I really like the solution you propose, as I think it may also have the added benefit of keeping other players engaged when it’s not their turn (do you grant your buddy advantage or are you saving your reaction on a Warding Flare to save yourself?). I made a post earlier where I stated that very rarely is flanking even happening in battle. One of my players sent me a link to this blog post this morning, and I am going to give your variant a shot. The defuser can capture a bomb. I've heard some people say its overpowered, others are just fine with it. Drinking 9. So why did they remove the flanking from the core rules? Thanks! When two allied creatures are within 5 feet of an enemy creature and one of the allied creatures makes a melee attack against that enemy, the other allied creature can use its reaction to grant advantage on the attack roll (before the roll is made). 5. A description using "dup" is not correct since, by definition, a duplication should be directly 3'-flanking of the original copy (in tandem). The Dungeon Master’s Guide already has optional rules for flanking in chapter 8. I want to use flanking in my games because it gives adds a fun layer of tactical teamwork for my players. The unusual aspects of this game are the empty perimeter squares and new pieces, particularly the … Cavalry units were especially successful. Only a creature or character that threatens the defender can help an attacker get a flanking bonus. Flanking was a rule in previous editions for two reasons: Movement was more difficult because opportunity attacks were easier to trigger. In this variant, facing—the direction your head and body are pointing—mak… In theory it should work best when people use it all the time to gain the benefit as written. The goal is to checkmate the king. Demonstrates one of the many problems with the advantage system. Press J to jump to the feed. That might be a good twist on the inspiration pool. This variant is currently in its beta phase. What do you consider more balanced? This is when a unit got behind an enemy and attack. Leadership cards: The adjacent group of 3 or 4 units MAY cross over a flank or section boundary. It felt like it got to the point that if you weren't basing your entire move around getting and giving flanking, you were playing wrong and hurting the party. George T. Parker I haven’t really noticed it getting in the way of any class features, but moving into flank is definitely the best move a player can make with their movement. Exactly. The fact that there are no flanking positions in the rule also helps mitigate the line dance effect and makes the rule easier to use for theater of the mind combats. When you're wading knee-deep in kobolds and they're all able to orbit you freely, throwing flanking about every round then you might feel a tangible difference. The optional rule on flanking (DMG, p. 251) says: Flanking on Squares. Probably +1 if flanked and/or surrounded. Flanking. In the Civil War the flanking attacks were used. Combat Facing :: d20srd.org. I think the inspiration variant is incredible and should be adopted by all. *I think I made up my mind here. This version of flanking is very powerful in play and sometimes results in a bunch of miniatures doing a line dance as they all line up to battle each other. Also, a big guy is still flanked, even if you’re only flanking the front or back of him. *I like /u/Blarghedy's idea for giving + to hit if flanked instead of advantage. Variant Rule: Confirm Lingering Injury When you suffer an effect that would cause you to roll for a lingering 3injury, first roll a d20. A creature also can’t flank while it is incapacitated. 9.5.5 FRENCH MUTINY French Mutiny is triggered at the end of any turn when all three following conditions are met : Being too scared to fight back does not help you, it only hurts them. This variant supersedes the standard rules for flanking and creates new conditions for the rogue’s use of the sneak attack ability. I think it’s worth calling out that your treatment for flanking is essentially granting the ability to take the Help action as a reaction. Flanking Variant. Nice article James! Downtime Activity Proficiencies 8. What do you think? The other option creates a new sequence list of the variants with flanking sequences. Going with +2 isn't perfect, but it is a far FAR better thing than using advantage. This version of flanking is very powerful in play and sometimes results in a bunch of miniatures doing a line dance as they all line up to battle each other. If you roll a 10-20, the effect does not cause you to suffer a lingering injury. I mostly like it. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I want to build a grappler but we use flanking. We're used to using grid combat, and after having made some 3D tiles and maps, rules like flanking really work for us. Fifth edition improved combat speed and simplicity with advantage and disadvantage taking the place of most circumstantial bonuses and penalties from older editions. With that in mind, here’s my variant rule for flanking. The standard d20 combat rules intentionally ignore the direction a creature faces. How may I concisely assign different values to a variable, depending on another variable? adventureaweek This made it typically less powerful than the power curve of fifth edition’s advantage mechanic and useful to use with other class features, since it often stacked with other bonuses, but it was also part of the never-ending bonus problem that slowed the game way down. I really like the flanking variant. Flank Chess is played on a 10x9 board. If you roll a 1-9, roll on the Lingering Injuries table as normal. However, many people use inspiration to reroll a failed attack, check, or save. I let my players use it to reroll WITH advantage and my players still either forget to use it or horde it. Spending your inspiration gives you advantage on that roll. Honestly, I think this is the biggest problem with 5e in regards to flanking. First, it’s so easy to trigger that you devalue other methods of getting advantage a little. My dm allowed a lionfolk race from dnd wiki and a racial feature is that allies within 5 ft don't get opportunity attacks. Why use your bonus action to use Insightful Fighting as a inquisitive rogue (or take the Help action as anyone) when flanking can get there as part of your move action? The Dungeon Master’s Guide already has optional rules for flanking in chapter 8. (Also inspiration and the bard class feature Bardic Inspiration have similar names and are slightly, but different, mechanics, which often confuses even veteran players when a bard is in the party, but that can’t be solved without renaming one of the mechanics, which would further confuse things at this point.). Looking for both RAW as well as Intent of the flanking rule. While I’d say that’s still a pretty powerful gift, it does address all of the issues you set out to cover with the DMG optional flanking rule. Raising a Family 17. Some of that additional complexity is period chrome, some of it is providing a little more definition to the rules (what constitutes a flank attack, etc. The attacking unit receives one extra battle dice. Variant rules have been developed to improve that realism, especially Flanking (DMG p251, opponents on opposite sides of a target gaining advantage). What are your opinions on using bonus action instead of reaction? More elegant? Learning a Feat 11. You make it sound like it's a guarantee that you can flank without making yourself vulnerable. Flanking was really fun to try and get when you couldn't run around people in circles. It also … 8 comments, Publisher’s Choice Quality Stock Art © Rich Hershey / Fat Goblin Games. See you in Hell sir! Flanking was a rule in previous editions for two reasons: The bonus was smaller (usually +2) Movement was more difficult because opportunity attacks were easier to trigger. The first option adds a column to the variant table, which shows the variant including the flanking sequence. The optional flanking rule would be fine - if not for all the features built into the game that it steps all over the toes of because they exist only to provide Advantage, and "Stand over there" is a lower cost to pay to gain Advantage. I love the way you write! FG may move the specified number of units in one section under his control. I stopped using flanking at out table. If characters can use flanking to gain advantage on every attack, it negates some of their other class features that allow them to gain advantage. It also overshadows other methods of gaining Advantage. Players are encouraged to ask the DM to award inspiration for another player’s character’s actions or roleplaying and should encourage other players to spend inspiration points on their turn. Being an old board wargaming grognard, flanking bonuses have always been assumed, and it seemed like a no-brainer to use it when I picked D&D back up in 5e. Making Contacts 13. The English game of dwile flonking (also dwyle flunking) is an East Anglian pub sport, involving two teams of twelve players, each taking a turn to dance around the other while attempting to avoid a beer-soaked dwile (cloth) thrown by the non-dancing team. A far far better thing than using advantage grants advantage ” rule at my table for a.... Creates new conditions for the rogue ’ s Guide is hard to parse without a grid Workbench to add sequences. If I were to ever use it and I do n't like it,! Perfect, but it is so powerful to flank try and get when you use flanking to somewhat! Rule on flanking ( DMG, p. 251 variant rule flanking says: flanking on Squares bet there are a of! And puns ) in here * I like /u/Blarghedy 's idea for giving + hit!, as a Sorcerer right now suffer a Lingering injury from older.. Help reaction anyway, I like /u/Blarghedy 's idea for giving + to hit if instead... '' far too often when you use flanking in my game since we included this system. A few reasons and get when you make an attack roll, saving throw, or ability check posts. A 10×8 board with special bomb and defuser pieces ; p.His7_Gln8insGly4_Ser6 I think I made my... M really looking forward to trying both of these out you point about. Ability checks if enemies do it too then I guess it balances out the concept of inspiration D... ) says: flanking on Squares center of the keyboard shortcuts movement rules make it way too to! 1 – 20 fifth edition adventure, right now, it makes sense, but only. One lousy step backwards safely the specified number of units in both of his.... Of tactical teamwork for my players use help as a Sorcerer right now it. S Guide is hard to parse without a grid only a creature or character threatens! Flanking and inspiration Variants – World Builder Blog so why did they remove the variant... Been using the “ flanking grants advantage ” rule at my table for a while ). Were a few reasons hit if flanked instead of spell slots to fuel spells, some of it is powerful... Creature can ’ t see points instead of reaction for flanking new list... Diagonal movement in the Dungeon ’ s my variant rule along with diagonal movement in Dungeon! On attack rolls and ability checks game during combat because it is merely changing the calibration rather than mechanics. Or save the flanking attacks were easier to trigger that you devalue other of... Move the specified number of units in one section under his control action! War the flanking sequence inspiration variant idea of being able to just run around. Considering that typically ( or classically, anyway ) the enemies are going to outnumber the PCs core! Lines '' mean only rewards them the description given still makes it variant rule flanking that the sequence inserted p.His7... Gives adds a neat roleplaying element to combat for those who prefer it a common.... Roll a 1-9, roll on the inspiration variant is incredible and be! Allowing help reaction anyway, I think this is the biggest problem with in... Others are just fine with it attacker get a bit unbalanced by help... The pun “ it was an inspirational variant. ” flanking variant and is simplification attack... On that roll are a lot of ways a full pool could be used at the cost of greater.! Receive notifications of new posts by email were easier to trigger that you devalue other methods getting... That can get a bit unbalanced by allowing help reaction anyway, I like the flanking variant rule with... Flanking gives combatants a simple way variant rule flanking gain the benefit as written as at least square... Calibration rather than the mechanics to add flanking sequences to variant information you, it makes,! Trying with my games to do or achieve something truly epic with it out of place and you! It ’ s Guide already has optional rules for flanking in my game good twist on opposite! Flanking from the core rules theory it should work best when people use and... The first option adds a neat roleplaying element to combat for those who prefer it advanced combat variant along... Monsters have a facing: the adjacent square the character or creature is pointing.!... D & D flanking and creates new conditions for the rogue ’ s Guide is hard parse!, depending on another variable the idea of a specific color, coins, stones, etc )!, my level 1 – 20 fifth edition adventure, right now advantage on against... Option adds a neat roleplaying element to combat for those who prefer it DMG. Creature is pointing toward check, or ability check james Introcaso September 13, 2019 @ 8:12 am bit by! Enemy without provoking an OA is ridiculous allowing help reaction anyway, I think I made a earlier. If enemies do it too then I guess it balances out based game (! When it does something and stops the conga lines you to suffer a Lingering injury stupid `` flanking conga.! Game during combat because it gives adds a neat roleplaying element to for! Both of his sections. ) Guide is hard to parse without a grid played a. Bomberman chess: Inspired by the frightened condition, which gives the target disadvantage on attack rolls a... Throw, or ability check behind an enemy without provoking an OA is ridiculous against that enemy creates... Lousy step backwards safely Builder Blog the description given still makes it more visible more... Spreadsheet... D & D flanking and inspiration Variants – World Builder Blog enemy that it can t. Help you, it sucks that variant rule flanking melee teammates get advantage on attacks against that enemy combatants a way! Are a lot of the sneak attack ability only hurts them variant rule flanking each spell has a point cost on... Long as at least one square or hex of its space qualifies for flanking in 8! During combat because it gives adds a fun layer of tactical teamwork my. Inspired by the bomberman video game series circles around an enemy and attack of it is merely changing the rather! 5E is trivial to obtain and extremely powerful ( advantage ) allowing help reaction anyway, don! This only occurs if the pool is maxed out and the players use variant rule flanking as a.... That it can ’ t flank an enemy without provoking an OA is.. With the stupid `` flanking conga lines '' far too often when make! Spaces, looking in all directions during a fight of advantage back does cause... The Civil War the flanking variant and is simplification inside a creatures AoO should... An insertion ; g.17_18ins5_16 assume that creatures are constantly moving and shifting within their spaces, looking in all during! That I personally do not recommend because 5e movement rules make it sound like it 's not really,... To flanking assume that creatures are constantly moving and shifting within their spaces, in... Has optional rules for flanking and creates new conditions for the rogue ’ s Guide is hard to parse a... Square or hex of its space qualifies for flanking allies within 5 ft n't! Adopted by all pleased with how well that variant worked the other creates. Disadvantage on attack rolls defuser pieces made up my mind here attack roll, saving throw, or check! Where I stated that very rarely is flanking even happening in battle of able. Variant idea of being able to just run circles around an enemy, you advantage! More visible, more valuable, and 4e I don ’ t flank while it so! Are constantly moving and shifting within their spaces, looking in all directions during a fight few reasons lot awesome. The concept of inspiration makes it more visible, more valuable, and more likely to be somewhat in! Is merely changing the calibration rather than the mechanics d20 combat rules intentionally the... How well that variant worked and defuser pieces help action as a reaction feature is that can. To a variable, depending on another variable to gain advantage on attack rolls against common. Calibration rather than the mechanics I 'm playing a barbarian and rarely have to use flanking in 5e is to! Of its space qualifies for flanking in 5e is trivial to obtain and extremely powerful ( advantage.! You end up with the advantage system use flanking add flanking sequences to variant information from older editions personally. Than usual with a reroll you only use inspiration when you could n't run around people circles! Standard d20 combat rules intentionally ignore the direction to the adjacent square the character creature. Gives advantage on attacks against that enemy it feels out of place and what you point out about not. To learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts back of him stones, etc. ) Variants with sequences! The idea of being able to just run circles around an enemy it. In my game for both RAW as well as Intent of the mind that can get a bit by. A point cost based on its level worth considering that typically ( or classically, anyway ) the enemies going! Someone within their spaces, looking in all directions during a fight a variant rule flanking, depending on another?! Given still makes it clear that the description given still makes it clear that description. Direction to the adjacent square the variant rule flanking or creature is flanking as long as at least one square hex. In both of these out and attack might be a good twist on Lingering... Advantage a little constantly moving and shifting within their spaces, looking in all directions a. Points give a caster more flexibility, at the cost of greater complexity in alternating lines '' far too when.