[MA] Retreat to Slip behind

[Captain Joy]

Originally Posted by jacobmuller

I'd have to say no.
pg391 Runaround Attacks reads to me as
it's only a true attack from behind if the victim doesn't know you're there. It isn't about how long you've been there.

Originally Posted by B391

Against a true attack from behind, no active defense is possible, because the victim did not know the attack was coming. If the attacker starts in front and runs behind, outmaneuvering his victim through sheer speed, the victim does know he’s being attacked. Treat it as a side attack: -2 to active defenses, unless the victim has compensating advantages.

My reading is that merely knowing there is a foe behind you is not the same as knowing you're being attacked that round. I.e. An attack as part of a runaround allows for an Active Defense because you see the initiation and at least part of the development of that specific Attack Maneuver. For an attack that starts out in your back hex, you do not get an Active Defense. (That's my interpretation anyway.)