Who benefits from flanking?

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While DnD 5e no longer includes flanking as a standard rule, they have an optional rule that covers it. I've not played earlier versions, but I imagine it's very similar (if not identical) to the standard rule that existed in earlier versions. Here is the optional flanking rule from DMG p. 251:

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. - (DMG p. 251)

So if a medium creature (taking up just one square) has three adjacent enemies, two of whom are on opposite sides or corners, do all three have advantage, or just the two who are flanking?

 A B A
B T OR A T A OR B T
 A A etc.

Where "A" and "B" are allies and "T" is the target creature.

In each of these examples, "B" is not causing the target creature to be flanked, as there isn't another creature on the opposite side to "T" from it. Does B still get advantage?

Put another way, could we say that if a creature is flanked (see above) then all melee attacks against them are made with advantage? Or would it be better to say if "they flank that enemy, [...] both of them [have] advantage on melee attack rolls?"

dnd-5e combat optional-rules flanking

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edited Aug 13 at 16:53

SevenSidedDie♦

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asked Aug 13 at 7:20

Isaac Reefman

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up vote
9
down vote

favorite

1

While DnD 5e no longer includes flanking as a standard rule, they have an optional rule that covers it. I've not played earlier versions, but I imagine it's very similar (if not identical) to the standard rule that existed in earlier versions. Here is the optional flanking rule from DMG p. 251:

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. - (DMG p. 251)

So if a medium creature (taking up just one square) has three adjacent enemies, two of whom are on opposite sides or corners, do all three have advantage, or just the two who are flanking?

 A B A
B T OR A T A OR B T
 A A etc.

Where "A" and "B" are allies and "T" is the target creature.

In each of these examples, "B" is not causing the target creature to be flanked, as there isn't another creature on the opposite side to "T" from it. Does B still get advantage?

Put another way, could we say that if a creature is flanked (see above) then all melee attacks against them are made with advantage? Or would it be better to say if "they flank that enemy, [...] both of them [have] advantage on melee attack rolls?"

dnd-5e combat optional-rules flanking

share|improve this question

edited Aug 13 at 16:53

SevenSidedDie♦

198k25627909

asked Aug 13 at 7:20

Isaac Reefman

1,824137

add a comment | 

up vote
9
down vote

favorite

1

up vote
9
down vote

favorite

1

1

While DnD 5e no longer includes flanking as a standard rule, they have an optional rule that covers it. I've not played earlier versions, but I imagine it's very similar (if not identical) to the standard rule that existed in earlier versions. Here is the optional flanking rule from DMG p. 251:

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. - (DMG p. 251)

So if a medium creature (taking up just one square) has three adjacent enemies, two of whom are on opposite sides or corners, do all three have advantage, or just the two who are flanking?

 A B A
B T OR A T A OR B T
 A A etc.

Where "A" and "B" are allies and "T" is the target creature.

In each of these examples, "B" is not causing the target creature to be flanked, as there isn't another creature on the opposite side to "T" from it. Does B still get advantage?

Put another way, could we say that if a creature is flanked (see above) then all melee attacks against them are made with advantage? Or would it be better to say if "they flank that enemy, [...] both of them [have] advantage on melee attack rolls?"

dnd-5e combat optional-rules flanking

share|improve this question

edited Aug 13 at 16:53

SevenSidedDie♦

198k25627909

asked Aug 13 at 7:20

Isaac Reefman

1,824137

While DnD 5e no longer includes flanking as a standard rule, they have an optional rule that covers it. I've not played earlier versions, but I imagine it's very similar (if not identical) to the standard rule that existed in earlier versions. Here is the optional flanking rule from DMG p. 251:

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. - (DMG p. 251)

So if a medium creature (taking up just one square) has three adjacent enemies, two of whom are on opposite sides or corners, do all three have advantage, or just the two who are flanking?

 A B A
B T OR A T A OR B T
 A A etc.

Where "A" and "B" are allies and "T" is the target creature.

In each of these examples, "B" is not causing the target creature to be flanked, as there isn't another creature on the opposite side to "T" from it. Does B still get advantage?

Put another way, could we say that if a creature is flanked (see above) then all melee attacks against them are made with advantage? Or would it be better to say if "they flank that enemy, [...] both of them [have] advantage on melee attack rolls?"

dnd-5e combat optional-rules flanking

share|improve this question

edited Aug 13 at 16:53

SevenSidedDie♦

198k25627909

asked Aug 13 at 7:20

Isaac Reefman

1,824137

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

edited Aug 13 at 16:53

SevenSidedDie♦

198k25627909

edited Aug 13 at 16:53

SevenSidedDie♦

198k25627909

edited Aug 13 at 16:53

SevenSidedDie♦

198k25627909

198k25627909

asked Aug 13 at 7:20

Isaac Reefman

1,824137

asked Aug 13 at 7:20

Isaac Reefman

1,824137

asked Aug 13 at 7:20

Isaac Reefman

1,824137

1,824137

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

2 Answers
2

active

oldest

votes

up vote
19
down vote



accepted

When dealing with Medium creatures, yes, it might read more easily to say "both". The "each of them" becomes important when dealing with Large or bigger creatures, which take up so much space that multiple creatures can fit side by side on one end.

The rule, from the viewpoint of the attacker, is basically:

• Am I adjacent to an enemy?


• Is at least one of my allies also adjacent to the creature on the opposite end?

If yes, you have flanking.

For an example of when the "each" comes into play, see below diagram of three Allies flanking a Giant. In this situation, all three Allies attack with advantage due to flanking, because "Am I adjacent to an enemy and is there an ally adjacent on the opposite of the creature" is true for all three.

A A

G G

G G

A

On the other hand, in this situation, that doesn't work.

A

G G A

G G

A

While the top and bottom attacker have advantage due to flanking, the one on the right does not.

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 13 at 7:27

Erik

40.6k11139209

add a comment | 

up vote
5
down vote

Only the A's are flanking.

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. - (DMG p. 251)

• By the grammar of the sentence "each of them" refers to the two allies which are flanking. There is no reference to any additional allies in the entire passage, nor is it written in a way which would imply that while being flanked, the creature has taken on a conditional status.


• It is specifically the 'flankers' who gain a conditional status and
  subsequently now have an advantage bonus, if-and-only-if: they are
  uniquely positioned to flank (by being on opposite sides).


• Furthermore, this interpretation is backed up by previous editions of
  D&D.

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 13 at 10:23

answered Aug 13 at 10:09

AshRandom

1,232625

add a comment | 

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2 Answers
2

active

oldest

votes

2 Answers
2

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

up vote
19
down vote



accepted

When dealing with Medium creatures, yes, it might read more easily to say "both". The "each of them" becomes important when dealing with Large or bigger creatures, which take up so much space that multiple creatures can fit side by side on one end.

The rule, from the viewpoint of the attacker, is basically:

• Am I adjacent to an enemy?


• Is at least one of my allies also adjacent to the creature on the opposite end?

If yes, you have flanking.

For an example of when the "each" comes into play, see below diagram of three Allies flanking a Giant. In this situation, all three Allies attack with advantage due to flanking, because "Am I adjacent to an enemy and is there an ally adjacent on the opposite of the creature" is true for all three.

A A

G G

G G

A

On the other hand, in this situation, that doesn't work.

A

G G A

G G

A

While the top and bottom attacker have advantage due to flanking, the one on the right does not.

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 13 at 7:27

Erik

40.6k11139209

add a comment | 

up vote
19
down vote



accepted

When dealing with Medium creatures, yes, it might read more easily to say "both". The "each of them" becomes important when dealing with Large or bigger creatures, which take up so much space that multiple creatures can fit side by side on one end.

The rule, from the viewpoint of the attacker, is basically:

• Am I adjacent to an enemy?


• Is at least one of my allies also adjacent to the creature on the opposite end?

If yes, you have flanking.

For an example of when the "each" comes into play, see below diagram of three Allies flanking a Giant. In this situation, all three Allies attack with advantage due to flanking, because "Am I adjacent to an enemy and is there an ally adjacent on the opposite of the creature" is true for all three.

A A

G G

G G

A

On the other hand, in this situation, that doesn't work.

A

G G A

G G

A

While the top and bottom attacker have advantage due to flanking, the one on the right does not.

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 13 at 7:27

Erik

40.6k11139209

add a comment | 

up vote
19
down vote



accepted

up vote
19
down vote



accepted

When dealing with Medium creatures, yes, it might read more easily to say "both". The "each of them" becomes important when dealing with Large or bigger creatures, which take up so much space that multiple creatures can fit side by side on one end.

The rule, from the viewpoint of the attacker, is basically:

• Am I adjacent to an enemy?


• Is at least one of my allies also adjacent to the creature on the opposite end?

If yes, you have flanking.

For an example of when the "each" comes into play, see below diagram of three Allies flanking a Giant. In this situation, all three Allies attack with advantage due to flanking, because "Am I adjacent to an enemy and is there an ally adjacent on the opposite of the creature" is true for all three.

A A

G G

G G

A

On the other hand, in this situation, that doesn't work.

A

G G A

G G

A

While the top and bottom attacker have advantage due to flanking, the one on the right does not.

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 13 at 7:27

Erik

40.6k11139209

When dealing with Medium creatures, yes, it might read more easily to say "both". The "each of them" becomes important when dealing with Large or bigger creatures, which take up so much space that multiple creatures can fit side by side on one end.

The rule, from the viewpoint of the attacker, is basically:

• Am I adjacent to an enemy?


• Is at least one of my allies also adjacent to the creature on the opposite end?

If yes, you have flanking.

For an example of when the "each" comes into play, see below diagram of three Allies flanking a Giant. In this situation, all three Allies attack with advantage due to flanking, because "Am I adjacent to an enemy and is there an ally adjacent on the opposite of the creature" is true for all three.

A A

G G

G G

A

On the other hand, in this situation, that doesn't work.

A

G G A

G G

A

While the top and bottom attacker have advantage due to flanking, the one on the right does not.

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 13 at 7:27

Erik

40.6k11139209

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 13 at 7:27

Erik

40.6k11139209

answered Aug 13 at 7:27

Erik

40.6k11139209

answered Aug 13 at 7:27

Erik

40.6k11139209

40.6k11139209

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

up vote
5
down vote

Only the A's are flanking.

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. - (DMG p. 251)

• By the grammar of the sentence "each of them" refers to the two allies which are flanking. There is no reference to any additional allies in the entire passage, nor is it written in a way which would imply that while being flanked, the creature has taken on a conditional status.


• It is specifically the 'flankers' who gain a conditional status and
  subsequently now have an advantage bonus, if-and-only-if: they are
  uniquely positioned to flank (by being on opposite sides).


• Furthermore, this interpretation is backed up by previous editions of
  D&D.

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 13 at 10:23

answered Aug 13 at 10:09

AshRandom

1,232625

add a comment | 

up vote
5
down vote

Only the A's are flanking.

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. - (DMG p. 251)

• By the grammar of the sentence "each of them" refers to the two allies which are flanking. There is no reference to any additional allies in the entire passage, nor is it written in a way which would imply that while being flanked, the creature has taken on a conditional status.


• It is specifically the 'flankers' who gain a conditional status and
  subsequently now have an advantage bonus, if-and-only-if: they are
  uniquely positioned to flank (by being on opposite sides).


• Furthermore, this interpretation is backed up by previous editions of
  D&D.

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 13 at 10:23

answered Aug 13 at 10:09

AshRandom

1,232625

add a comment | 

up vote
5
down vote

up vote
5
down vote

Only the A's are flanking.

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. - (DMG p. 251)

• By the grammar of the sentence "each of them" refers to the two allies which are flanking. There is no reference to any additional allies in the entire passage, nor is it written in a way which would imply that while being flanked, the creature has taken on a conditional status.


• It is specifically the 'flankers' who gain a conditional status and
  subsequently now have an advantage bonus, if-and-only-if: they are
  uniquely positioned to flank (by being on opposite sides).


• Furthermore, this interpretation is backed up by previous editions of
  D&D.

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 13 at 10:23

answered Aug 13 at 10:09

AshRandom

1,232625

Only the A's are flanking.

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. - (DMG p. 251)

• By the grammar of the sentence "each of them" refers to the two allies which are flanking. There is no reference to any additional allies in the entire passage, nor is it written in a way which would imply that while being flanked, the creature has taken on a conditional status.


• It is specifically the 'flankers' who gain a conditional status and
  subsequently now have an advantage bonus, if-and-only-if: they are
  uniquely positioned to flank (by being on opposite sides).


• Furthermore, this interpretation is backed up by previous editions of
  D&D.

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 13 at 10:23

answered Aug 13 at 10:09

AshRandom

1,232625

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 13 at 10:23

edited Aug 13 at 10:23

edited Aug 13 at 10:23

answered Aug 13 at 10:09

AshRandom

1,232625

answered Aug 13 at 10:09

AshRandom

1,232625

answered Aug 13 at 10:09

AshRandom

1,232625

1,232625

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

 

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