I was fighting the three Ogre leaders in the 4th level of the Temple (the nasty ones near Senshack's room that have 100+ HP and multiple +20 attacks with Rage, clobbering for 30-50 damage even without a critical). I had Enlarge Person on my solo character. and sneaked up and engaged combat. After taking my full attack I took a 5-foot step away, the Ogres would move 5 feet closer to me but would only take one attack each. Is there a reason they don't do the 5-foot step and the full attack? Dumb Ogre? Not programmed in? Just curious... BTW, the animation of the waiting Ogre (seen while sneaking) where they pick their butt and then sniff their fingers is freeking hilarious.
ah, Life is about the small details, ain't it? Until the most recent modded Co8 versions, I haven't ever seen any enemies take a 5-ft step in combat. Bugbears will now take the 5-ft step back to avoid an AoO and drink a potion, but that's about it. It's like the 5-ft step is a secret known only to professional adventurers. So, while the Ogres are only moving 5 feet, it appears they are using their Move Action to do so, thus losing their Full attack. As a solo adventurer myself, I use that to my advantage -- especially when fighting those particular Ogres. Out of curiosity, what class(es) are you using as a soloist?
Oh the times I've just clicked an enemy and have lost the full attack. It's not just an AI problem... edit: IMHO, from the point of game play smoothness (and AI), 5 ft step should be automatic.
I think the AI only knows how to take five foot steps backwards for missile weapon or spell casting and not for maintaining their full attack option.
Thanks for the info, I guess I'll abuse this fact from now on hehe. The character I chose was a PALADIN for the first 6 levels. It was partly for flavor I admit, but partly for a good mix of abilities I think are strong for both early and later solo: Social skills for Hommlet quests, fighting, healing, turning, increased saves, immunity to fear and disease, and casting Protection from Evil is critical for solo. I was 4th level before even leaving Hommlet, other than the Deklo Grove spiders. After that I alternated FIGHTER and ROGUE. Fighter to continue with hit points, base attack imporvements, and to get the deadly feats of Cleave, Great Cleave, and Combat Reflexes going. Rogue for stealth skills, sneak attack bonuses, and uncanny dodge and the super important evasion. (The Noble Salamanders lobbing fireballs did no damage, and I prayed they would continue lobbing before charging in attacking with those gigantic spears) The challenge this time through was a solo adventure with these limitations: - A fighting type with no offensive spell ability - No crafting at all, I'd only use items I can find - No Scather - I would confront every encounter in the game Also, I wanted to act only by what the character knew. So as a player I might know there are seven "easy" rooms in the moathouse and just blow through them, and then prebuff to the hilt before charging in to the room with the raging brigand leader. But to play the character right he would NOT know this, so I would carefully sneak and scout everywhere, and then fall back with even minor injuries to heal and reequip before continuing. (I honestly wouldn't have gotten too far without the potions sold by Burne's vendor lady which restock every day - Heroism, Bull's Strength, Enlarge Person, and Haste. And eventually Mother Screng's Heal Potions for later levels) So as it stands I am on temple level 4, I'm PAL6/FTR5/ROG5 and have the following equipment: Blue Elven Chain, Tower Shield +1 (swapped for Shield +2 when stealthy), Ring +2, Melony's Holy Sword, Gauntlets of Dex +4 (thank you Skole even though I killed you for being evil), Cloak of Resist +2, Elven Cloak and Boots, Ring of Invisibility, Scarab against poison, and a crap load of potions. The chain allows for a great AC while retaining move of 30 and the ability to tumble. I'm preferring using a one handed weapon since and AC of 24 (no shield) is a little tight, and AC 29 feels safer, even though I am giving up some offense. If I could only find a magic buckler, but not one exists in the game outside of crafting. having AC of 29 is a lot safer than 24 in solo. EDIT: Just wanted to point out that the only 2 major obstacles I've run in to so far in doing this solo are (1) Off balanced random encounters while traveling ( like Ettin and his bear at level 5, four willow wisps at level 6, etc.), and those *!#*$! damn !**#@^ *&@ing bugbears with improved trip, lol.
