Question for those D&D folks who played editions other than 5th: Was it easier to flee a fight in previous editions? What mechanics affected it- either making it easier or harder? There were morale rules in AD&D, checks the DM would make at certain points to see if monsters flee.

Players fleeing has always been a trickier thing. There's no "run away" mechanic, it's down to "can you outpace them somehow, and did you decide to run before it's too late?"

— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) February 11, 2021

In my experience, the decision to flee is not a mechanically-driven one. Players hate to lose, in general, and running feels like losing. They will almost always make a last stand. Sometimes they decide to run but only after someone's dropped, and then all but guaranteed deaths.

— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) February 11, 2021