Conversations under the stars {OOC Thread}

[Bazzalan Horngrin]

Unfortunately for Bazz, Flanking is not a 'thing' in 5e.  If someone has the (usually racial) ability "Pack Tactics" that gives them advantage if an ally is engaged with the enemy they are targeting, but just surrounding the enemy gives no more advantage that being able to use up their reaction and overwhelm them with action economy.

I've looked over Bazz's sheet and there doesn't appear to be anything that would give Bazz advantage out of the gate, so if you still want to do the longsword attack, I'm afraid that is going to be a miss.  As you had some rules clarifications, if you want to change your action based on that new information, feel free.]

Ok, I've been googling Flanking and from what I understand, on Page 251 of the DMG it says it's an optional rule in 5e.  But you said Flanking is not a thing, which sounds like you're saying the rule doesn't exist.  I don't know if you're aware, but it is an optional rule.  

Flanking on Squares (DMG Pg 251). 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, they flank that enemy, and each of them has advantage on melee attack rolls against that enemy.

When in doubt about whether two creatures flank an enemy on a grid, trace an imaginary line between the centers of the creatures’ spaces. If the line passes through opposite sides or corners of the enemy’s space, the enemy is flanked.

It appears on the map that I am diagonally flanking the skeleton with the guy that I can't see his whole name. 

Pack tactics are slightly different than flanking...

Pack Tactics

You have advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of your allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated. 

Edit: in other words you don't have to be on opposite sides or corners.

So are you not allowing the optional rule?  There is obviously no problem with this but I'm only seeking clarification because regular Flanking is an often used tactic and it's important to know if it's something people without Pack tactics can have in their Combat and Tactics 'Toolbox' when in melee.