Can you flank a large creature?

Can You Flank a Large Creature?

In Dungeons & Dragons, flanking is a crucial combat mechanic that allows a creature to gain an advantage over its opponent. But what happens when we try to flank a large creature? Can we still get that sweet bonus? In this article, we’ll dive into the world of flanking and explore the answer to this question.

What is Flanking?

Before we get into the specifics of flanking a large creature, let’s quickly define what flanking is. According to the official Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition rules, flanking is when a creature and at least one of its allies are adjacent to an enemy and on opposite sides or corners of the enemy’s space. This setup allows the creature to gain a bonus to its attack rolls, making it a formidable opponent in combat.

Flanking with a Large Creature

Now that we know what flanking is, let’s get back to our question: Can you flank a large creature? The answer is yes, but with some caveats. A Large or larger creature is considered flanking as long as at least one square or hex of its space qualifies for flanking. This means that if the large creature is large enough to occupy multiple squares or hexes, you can still flank it as long as you and your ally are on opposite sides or corners of at least one of those squares or hexes.

Here’s a simple example to illustrate this point:

In this example, even though the large creature occupies multiple squares, you and your ally can still flank it as long as you’re on opposite sides of at least one of those squares.

Invisible Creatures and Flanking

Another important question to consider is what happens when we try to flank an invisible creature. According to the official rules, an invisible creature is considered to be in all squares or hexes it could occupy, and is treated as if it were not invisible for the purposes of flanking. This means that even if you can’t see the invisible creature, you can still flank it as long as you know where it could be occupying.

Here’s a table to summarize the key points:

Conclusion

In conclusion, yes, you can flank a large creature as long as at least one square or hex of its space qualifies for flanking. Additionally, invisible creatures can also be flanked even if you can’t see them. By understanding these rules, you can use flanking to your advantage in combat and take down even the toughest opponents.