If character A is frightened by character B and character B attacks character A, can character A defend itself by attacking character B with disadvantage? Or does character A
A frightened creature has disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls while the source of its fear is within line of sight.
The creature can't willingly move closer to the source of its fear.
It does not say that the frightened creature can't attack the source of its fear, however, any such attacks are made at disadvantage as long as the frightened creature can see the source of their fear.
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"The mongoose blew out its candle and was asleep in bed before the room went dark." —Llanowar fable
"The creature can't willingly move closer to the source of its fear". Doesn't that mean if you are in fear of the "source" you are continuing to do your best to stay away from it? Hence "disengage" or "flee" until you have been cornered and then attack with disadvantage?
"The creature can't willingly move closer to the source of its fear". Doesn't that mean if you are in fear of the "source" you are continuing to do your best to stay away from it? Hence "disengage" or "flee" until you have been cornered and then attack with disadvantage?
Thanks again.
No, it means you cannot move closer. You can stay where you are, move in such a way you maintain your distance, or move further away. You can also let them move closer to you.
"The creature can't willingly move closer to the source of its fear". Doesn't that mean if you are in fear of the "source" you are continuing to do your best to stay away from it? Hence "disengage" or "flee" until you have been cornered and then attack with disadvantage?
Some effects that cause you to become frightened does specify that you have to move away from the source of your fear, like the the Fear or Eyebite spells, but that is caused by the specific effect. It is not a default effect that always applies when you are frightened.
A fear spell is different from a "natural" fear. Got it.
When in doubt just remember. Something does what it says it does in the text, no more and no less. Sometimes the more familiar usage of a word will be different than what it means as an in-game term.
Hello:
If character A is frightened by character B and character B attacks character A, can character A defend itself by attacking character B with disadvantage? Or does character A
continue to "Dodge" or "Disengage" or "Flee"?
I hope I'm making sense.
Thanks
See: the Frightened condition.
It does not say that the frightened creature can't attack the source of its fear, however, any such attacks are made at disadvantage as long as the frightened creature can see the source of their fear.
Thanks for responding Metamongoose:
"The creature can't willingly move closer to the source of its fear". Doesn't that mean if you are in fear of the "source" you are continuing to do your best to stay away from it? Hence "disengage" or "flee" until you have been cornered and then attack with disadvantage?
Thanks again.
No, it means you cannot move closer. You can stay where you are, move in such a way you maintain your distance, or move further away. You can also let them move closer to you.
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Davyd:
Thank you that has cleared it up for me.
Some effects that cause you to become frightened does specify that you have to move away from the source of your fear, like the the Fear or Eyebite spells, but that is caused by the specific effect. It is not a default effect that always applies when you are frightened.
Thank you Thezzaruz:
A fear spell is different from a "natural" fear. Got it.
When in doubt just remember. Something does what it says it does in the text, no more and no less. Sometimes the more familiar usage of a word will be different than what it means as an in-game term.
Thank you pdegan:
I'm understanding the D&D language better and better as the months go by.