(Fighting) Withdrawal

Withdrawing is the only safe way to leave a square that is threatened by an opponent. When a character withdraws, he backs carefully away from his opponent without turning his back or creating an attack of opportunity for his opponent.

Withdrawing is a half-move that takes place on the character's base initiative. A withdrawing character cannot attack or cast spells, although he can still get attacks of opportunity on opponents.

During a (fighting) withdrawal, the character does not provoke attacks of opportunity from any squares that they (the character moving) threatens, however, they may still provoke attacks of opportunity from enemies that are not threatened (flank or directly behind).

A fighting withdrawal move must have the character moving away from their key enemies. The enemy may choose to follow immediately and at no penalty, however, they may provoke attacks of opportunity from the Withdrawing character's allies.