D&D 5E Knock Prone and Move

[KarinsDad]

Due to OAs in 5E, I was a bit concerned that PCs could get trapped in situations where they couldn't get away from foes without either getting OAed, or using up a precious action to Disengage.

However, when reading about the Hoard of the Dragon Queen dragons, I noticed their Wing Attack which can knock foes prone and then the Dragon can fly away.


It now dawned on me that Prone should be a seriously popular effect with players. Knock a foe prone, and then just move away. Sure the foe gets to OA the PC, but the OA is at disadvantage and unlikely to hit, especially for heavily armored melee types like many fighters and paladins. It's now a reasonable risk.


Can anyone think of any new 5E tactics that are more effective then they might have been in earlier versions?

 

[Xodis]

Its a double edged sword.

Pushing the enemy down and running away works against THAT enemy, but not the other who you might run by, although you might miss him or fail too.

Taking the "Disengage" option just takes your actions and you can move full distance without provoking OAs from anyone.

Depends on the situation really.

 

[KarinsDad]

Its a double edged sword.

Pushing the enemy down and running away works against THAT enemy, but not the other who you might run by, although you might miss him or fail too.

Taking the "Disengage" option just takes your actions and you can move full distance without provoking OAs from anyone.

Depends on the situation really.

Sure, but since a PC can now move however he wants around a foe as long as he is adjacent, it will often be possible to move a different side of the foe, attack and knock prone, and then have a clearer path to escape. Granted, pushing the foe back 5 feet is another option because then there is no OA if successful, but the prone option can sometimes let the PC get away and set up advantage for melee PC allies. Unlike Disengage, it just feels like the PC is using his action for something that helps out the party. Pushing a single foe back 5 feet doesn't quite feel like it is helping out the team as much in many situations.

It almost becomes a situation of, chose one of:

1) Disengage if its hard to get through a group of foes or there are two or more foes adjacent.
2) Knock a foe prone and then move around/away from him, provoking with disadvantage.
3) Push a foe back and then move away from him, without provoking.

#1 and #3 feel as if they are not accomplishing much, although technically, they might save the PCs bacon in a given situation. But, I seriously doubt people will use #3 unless they can push the foe into a pit or push them into an area to set up an area effect or something. #1 is much better since it always works. There are times, however, when it is worth the risk to attempt #2 over #1.


I'm also thinking that spell attacks that knock foes prone are going to become popular. They allow allies to extricate themselves (with a little risk) from situations without necessarily having to use up an action to do so.

 

[Xodis]

This is another reason I am loving this game. Simple actions, plenty of choices, tons of reasons.

 

[Lawngnome4hire]

You can knock them prone and have a chance to get away clean from one enemy, or disengage and automatically get away clean from all enemies. Both cost an action so if you're just trying to back off disengage is the obvious choice. Now if you're trying to keep the enemy from chasing down another party member, like your squishy wizard who got a little too close, then knocking them prone isn't a bad idea since they are at disadvantage to attack and have to spend half their movement to get up.

 

[Sir Brennen]

3) Push a foe back and then move away from him, without provoking.

#1 and #3 feel as if they are not accomplishing much, although technically, they might save the PCs bacon in a given situation. But, I seriously doubt people will use #3 unless they can push the foe into a pit or push them into an area to set up an area effect or something. #1 is much better since it always works. There are times, however, when it is worth the risk to attempt #2 over #1.

Option #3 could also be used to push the opponent toward an ally, who could get an OA if the enemy chases you, or you could push the enemy into a position that sets them up for Sneak Attack damage from a rogue ally. Might be other position dependent things you could set up with just a little push

 

[KarinsDad]

Option #3 could also be used to push the opponent toward an ally, who could get an OA if the enemy chases you, or you could push the enemy into a position that sets them up for Sneak Attack damage from a rogue ally. Might be other position dependent things you could set up with just a little push

I like the first one.