I had a question in combat that I can't seem to find a clear answer on. The past few encounters I've flanked an enemy across from an ally who is engaged with it so that I can gain advantage on my rolls. However when it's the enemy's turn they turn around to attack me instead of the person they were engaged with. Does this count as disengaging even though they aren't moving away from the space? Shouldn't they have to keep attacking the same target?
There is no rule that forces a creature to take the Disengage action before switching targets. The only thing the Disengage action does is prevent you from provoking opportunity attacks, and the only thing that provokes opportunity attacks is leaving an enemy's reach. The DM decides what a monster prioritizes in combat.
5e doesn't have strict facing rules. Everyone is considered to be able to see and act in any direction at any time unless something specifically prevents this.
Combat is an extremely fluid situation. Characters are not just standing there in neat little boxes on the battlefield. They are ducking and weaving and jockeying for position. It is not at all impossible to be trading blows with two or more opponents simultaneously. As reflected in 5e rules you will fight less well if you are fending off multiple people's attacks, and they will have an easier time getting through your defenses.
You can freely select the targets for your melee attacks from among everyone who is engaged with you or within your weapon reach.
There is an optional rule for facing that covers your question. Specifically, in order to turn around the combatant would need to know you're there and then use it's reaction to turn around. Facing can get complicated though. Since you are already using the optional flanking rule, you could always ask your table if they want to move to facing as well.
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I had a question in combat that I can't seem to find a clear answer on. The past few encounters I've flanked an enemy across from an ally who is engaged with it so that I can gain advantage on my rolls. However when it's the enemy's turn they turn around to attack me instead of the person they were engaged with. Does this count as disengaging even though they aren't moving away from the space? Shouldn't they have to keep attacking the same target?
There is no rule that forces a creature to take the Disengage action before switching targets. The only thing the Disengage action does is prevent you from provoking opportunity attacks, and the only thing that provokes opportunity attacks is leaving an enemy's reach. The DM decides what a monster prioritizes in combat.
5e basically treats creatures as if they are facing in every direction in combat.
5e doesn't have strict facing rules. Everyone is considered to be able to see and act in any direction at any time unless something specifically prevents this.
Combat is an extremely fluid situation. Characters are not just standing there in neat little boxes on the battlefield. They are ducking and weaving and jockeying for position. It is not at all impossible to be trading blows with two or more opponents simultaneously. As reflected in 5e rules you will fight less well if you are fending off multiple people's attacks, and they will have an easier time getting through your defenses.
You can freely select the targets for your melee attacks from among everyone who is engaged with you or within your weapon reach.
There is an optional rule for facing that covers your question. Specifically, in order to turn around the combatant would need to know you're there and then use it's reaction to turn around. Facing can get complicated though. Since you are already using the optional flanking rule, you could always ask your table if they want to move to facing as well.