One reason that people don't like Shove is because as well as doing it instead of an attack, it is an opposed roll (rather than rolling against a fixed number such as AC or spell save DC).
I shove when it suits combat but its rare it does. Will do when terrain or effect makes it fun or worthwhile, or when in need to disengage an ally or monster from another creature or effect.
Shove someone off a boat deck. Shove someone from a rampart. Shove someone into a pit. Shove someone into the maw of that huge beast. Granted, the higher the PC's/NPC's strength, the more likely the chance of success. If one does succeed, that's one opponent out of the picture, at least for the time being if not permanently. Yes, there may always be extenuating circumstances, such as the opponent can fly, but then don't bother to shove.
One game I'm in had a situation a little bit ago where the party was trying to convince a fugitive war hero we were there to help him, not assassinate him like so many others had tried. We talked our way into his hideout, but he got spooked and attacked us. As part of trying to subdue him non-lethally I shoved him prone, which served an RP purpose and a mechanical purpose (making it harder for him to attack us).
So, while shoves are likely rare in typical "kill the enemies" combats, they can be a useful tool for more unique scenarios. I can also imagine it being a fun combo move when there's a Wall of Fire up or something like that.
The only time I've used it is when it's suited the narrative - for example, an opponent ran and we wanted to question them, so I rugby tackled them, modelled by the shove action.
That's pretty rare though, in part because I generally play a caster.
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if you mean specifically the shove action, very rarely. but i use the heck outta special abilities or add-on stuff that let me push enemies around as part of an original attack or action.
The shove action is tactically underrated and is a great way for martials to exhibit some battlefield control. It's especially good in fights that aren't to the death.
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As the title suggests, this is a pol lto see how many people actually use the Shove action during their day-to-day games!
Mainly out of curiosity, as a DM I have never seen anyone opt to shove except on very rare and situational occasions. What's your experience?
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One reason that people don't like Shove is because as well as doing it instead of an attack, it is an opposed roll (rather than rolling against a fixed number such as AC or spell save DC).
I shove when it suits combat but its rare it does. Will do when terrain or effect makes it fun or worthwhile, or when in need to disengage an ally or monster from another creature or effect.
I’m playing my first high str character in this edition right now. But I honestly doubt I’ll ever think to use it.
Shove someone off a boat deck. Shove someone from a rampart. Shove someone into a pit. Shove someone into the maw of that huge beast. Granted, the higher the PC's/NPC's strength, the more likely the chance of success. If one does succeed, that's one opponent out of the picture, at least for the time being if not permanently. Yes, there may always be extenuating circumstances, such as the opponent can fly, but then don't bother to shove.
One game I'm in had a situation a little bit ago where the party was trying to convince a fugitive war hero we were there to help him, not assassinate him like so many others had tried. We talked our way into his hideout, but he got spooked and attacked us. As part of trying to subdue him non-lethally I shoved him prone, which served an RP purpose and a mechanical purpose (making it harder for him to attack us).
So, while shoves are likely rare in typical "kill the enemies" combats, they can be a useful tool for more unique scenarios. I can also imagine it being a fun combo move when there's a Wall of Fire up or something like that.
The only time I've used it is when it's suited the narrative - for example, an opponent ran and we wanted to question them, so I rugby tackled them, modelled by the shove action.
That's pretty rare though, in part because I generally play a caster.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
if you mean specifically the shove action, very rarely. but i use the heck outta special abilities or add-on stuff that let me push enemies around as part of an original attack or action.
The shove action is tactically underrated and is a great way for martials to exhibit some battlefield control. It's especially good in fights that aren't to the death.