It can. Standing or going prone do not generally count as movement/moving at all, but they definitely don't count as movement towards or away from anything. You occupy exactly the same space whether prone or standing, so no directional movement has occurred.
After reading through the rules again, as a DM, I probably wouldn't rule that it counts as moving closer - it's not changing any squares to be closer to you. You're already standing next to the creature, and standing up actually allows it to better defend itself (hence no -2AC due to being prone), and potentially also dash away sooner (to be further away from the source of fear).
That said, as an alternate ruling and maybe more of a better visualisation for dnd combat, crawling away in fear and then rushing to stand up on their feet is always an option.
Thanks, both. having to crawl away in fear (and hence giving up an AOO at advantage) before standing up was my wishful thinking of how it would work -just looking at potential combos for my BM manoeuvres
A prone creature within X feet of another is still within the same distance when standing up, it's neither closer nor farther than it was, even if it was underneath, because it has not moved.
My rule of thumb is that for a creature to move closer or farther from another, each space or square between them must decrease or increase accordingly.
Thanks, both. having to crawl away in fear (and hence giving up an AOO at advantage) before standing up was my wishful thinking of how it would work -just looking at potential combos for my BM manoeuvres
Just to clarify, Frightened doesn't mean it has to move away from you. It can't move closer, but it can stay in the same place.
Thanks, both. having to crawl away in fear (and hence giving up an AOO at advantage) before standing up was my wishful thinking of how it would work -just looking at potential combos for my BM manoeuvres
Just to clarify, Frightened doesn't mean it has to move away from you. It can't move closer, but it can stay in the same place.
Yep, by the DM ruling mentioned, it would have an option to remain prone (with its attacks at disadvantage on its within 5 feet opponent's melee attacks at advantage) or it could move away and stand and, if the opponent was using a 5 ft reach weapon, give away an opportunity attack.
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If I'm standing next to a creature who is both prone and frightened of me, can it stand up, or does that count as moving closer?
I suspect it can, but just wanted to check
TIA
It can. Standing or going prone do not generally count as movement/moving at all, but they definitely don't count as movement towards or away from anything. You occupy exactly the same space whether prone or standing, so no directional movement has occurred.
After reading through the rules again, as a DM, I probably wouldn't rule that it counts as moving closer - it's not changing any squares to be closer to you. You're already standing next to the creature, and standing up actually allows it to better defend itself (hence no -2AC due to being prone), and potentially also dash away sooner (to be further away from the source of fear).
That said, as an alternate ruling and maybe more of a better visualisation for dnd combat, crawling away in fear and then rushing to stand up on their feet is always an option.
Thanks, both. having to crawl away in fear (and hence giving up an AOO at advantage) before standing up was my wishful thinking of how it would work -just looking at potential combos for my BM manoeuvres
A prone creature within X feet of another is still within the same distance when standing up, it's neither closer nor farther than it was, even if it was underneath, because it has not moved.
My rule of thumb is that for a creature to move closer or farther from another, each space or square between them must decrease or increase accordingly.
Just to clarify, Frightened doesn't mean it has to move away from you. It can't move closer, but it can stay in the same place.
Yep, by the DM ruling mentioned, it would have an option to remain prone (with its attacks at disadvantage on its within 5 feet opponent's melee attacks at advantage) or it could move away and stand and, if the opponent was using a 5 ft reach weapon, give away an opportunity attack.