Free Attack on Opponents that Flee Melee Combat?

[The Beast]

If I were the GM, B could attack A all he wants since A's back is turned, until A got out of B's attack range. A would only be able to dodge B's attacks since his back is to him.

Note that my answer is meant for normal creatures and not something that has eyes in the back of the head or something (alien intelligence covered in eyes for example).

[Zamion138]

Not really an attack of opertunity B. Would need to have attacks left, but i would allow B. To go out of turn if A. Turns their back on B. In a fist fight/melee.
But if b. Was out of attacks its not like DnD or pathfinder where they would get a free attack.

[Goliath Strongarm]

Last night we played a game where character 'A' turned his back and ran away.
Character 'A' did this on his attack action while locked in melee combat with character 'B'.
Does this give character 'B' an immediate attack of opportunity?

Also, if character 'B' gets an immediate attack of opportunity, can character 'A' parry while running away?

Well, it's not like 3.5 where you get AOOs that are "free attacks". However, at that point, basically, A is giving up his action, B gets to go. A has no defense options. He can't parry. If he doesn't have eyes in the back of his head to see, he can't really dodge. Unless he's looking back over his shoulder, at which I would cut his speed to half, and that's still only dodge, not parry.

I, personally, as a GM, would run it as follows:

A's action: turn and flee
B, if actions left, gets to attack. A would not be able to parry or dodge, unless looking over his shoulder (as above)

If B is out of actions, then we're off to the next round, and initiative as normal (I typically carry initiative as a constant from round to round, and don't reroll every round).

I *MIGHT* allow the free attack by player B, but that is a definate maybe, depending on group and campaign.

[Noon]

As far as I know, technically no.

As GM I often grant a free attack. Players tend to like it and they seem to accept it as their final chance to drop a bad guy - otherwise they might try chasing after every goon, which is just kinda pointless play.

[SpiritInterface]

Unless fighter A had some sort of disengage maneuver like Backflip Escape I would give fighter B a free un-opposed attack before breaking the engagement.

[Cinos]

By the word of the rules, no, there's no concept of added attacks, free strikes, or attacks of opportunity in this system. The best would be the aggressor's next attack would be from behind (preventing dodge or parries), but that's about it.

I wouldn't be opposed to GMs ruling free attacks in however, as there should be some penalty for fleeing combat without some proper method to disengage. It just makes for good mechanics.

[Killer Cyborg]

Works in D&D.
Not in Palladium.

[dragonfett]

Don't all attacks from behind do double normal damage. I think that alone should be sufficient reason to never do something so reckless as turning your back on a foe (unless of course you are scared out of your mind or are so arrogantly confident that they can't hurt you that you taunt them).

[Nekira Sudacne]

Don't all attacks from behind do double normal damage. I think that alone should be sufficient reason to never do something so reckless as turning your back on a foe (unless of course you are scared out of your mind or are so arrogantly confident that they can't hurt you that you taunt them).

Nope. certain martial arts styles in N&SS do have an automatic critical from behind ability, but unless you have one, an attack from behind is no different damage wise than a normal attack. the upside is only that you cannot parry,dodge, or autododge attacks from behind unless you have an ability that explicitly says you can.

[dragonfett]

Don't all attacks from behind do double normal damage. I think that alone should be sufficient reason to never do something so reckless as turning your back on a foe (unless of course you are scared out of your mind or are so arrogantly confident that they can't hurt you that you taunt them).

Nope. certain martial arts styles in N&SS do have an automatic critical from behind ability, but unless you have one, an attack from behind is no different damage wise than a normal attack. the upside is only that you cannot parry,dodge, or autododge attacks from behind unless you have an ability that explicitly says you can.

Huh, I could have swore I had seen the rules somewhere in Rifts, but I guess not. Or maybe someone in the Rifts forums were referencing the rules you were just talking about. Either way, thanks for the info.