How does the "back zone" work in D&D (and other boardgames)?

How does the "back zone" work in D&D (and other boardgames)? I know Thieves, Rogues, Assassins have a backstab bonus when attacking from behind, but how does attacking from behind or the side work for other classes/characters?

Well, I don't know how facing works in D&D 4th edition, but there is no facing in Pathfinder (and 3.5, I believe). Rogues do not get 'Backstab' bonuses, in D20, they get 'Sneak Attack', which activates if the target is flat-footed (Has not taken actions, and is therefore surprised) or if the rogue is flanking him (A buddy on the opposite side, so the target cannot adequately defend himself)

In Dn D it can also count as the target being flatfooted, costing them their DEX bonus to their AC.

In Dark Heresy (and the other Warhammer 40000 RPGs) attacking from behind gives +10 to hit. If a target is unaware of the attacker's presence than they suffer a -30 to dodge/parry.

As far as I know, D&D 4E does not have facing. Instead, you get the sneak attack bonus when you have "combat advantage," meaning that you're flanking your target with an ally or they're in some awkward situation that they can't devote their full attention to defense from.

I'm fairly sure no edition of Dungeons and Dragons has facing. You're always assumed to be fighting face to face.

To emphasis what Durazno was saying the game has 'Schrodinger's facing'.

Turning Is A Free Action in the game so flanking a target to grant combat advantage isn't attacking their 'back' so much as making the target fight on two fronts and leave an opening.

It's best to think of a 'back stab' as a simplly as metaphor for attacking the target when their unable to defend themselves rather than literally stab the target in the back. Rouges do quite often 'backstab' people in the face.

edited 14th Jan '13 7:19:06 PM by joeyjojo

In most cases, there is no "turning". Some games do take this into account, but it's usually not to make the somewhat slow battles faster.(or to not make them slower)

Unless an actual battle system(usually custom) is based upon a video game where it makes any difference whatsoever(I know Quest 64 does due to enemy placement).