Questions tagged [actions]
For questions involving the rules that apply to taking a certain action in a specified system.
675
questions
10
votes
1
answer
321
views
How does the confused condition affect a creature with the minion trait?
Creatures with the minion trait (like animal companions or familiars) get 2 actions when their master uses an action to order them to act.
The confused condition causes the creature to attack wildly.
...
- 3,588
13
votes
1
answer
3k
views
What actions can animal companions take?
The Pathfinder 2e rules are quite clear about how a character can issue orders to a normal animal, and what that animal can do.
The Command an Animal (Core Rulebook pg. 249) Nature skill action states,...
- 951
8
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Is it an action to voluntarily end a grapple?
If a monster, such as a Chuul, has grappled a character can they end the grapple for free?
EG a Chuul attacks a halfling with a pincer attack and hits, the halfling is now considered grappled, trapped ...
- 6,204
9
votes
3
answers
746
views
Can monsters use lair actions on targets in any part of their lair?
My previous experience with Lair Actions has been when the party fought Strahd (a vampire lord in Curse of Strahd) and Arauthator (an adult white dragon in Rise of Tiamat). Both of these creatures ...
- 34.6k
1
vote
1
answer
155
views
If you start a 1-round duration as the last action of your turn, does it continue through your next turn?
If I use my move and standard actions in a round, then activate my greatreach bracers which extend your reach for one round, by RAW 6 seconds, would they be active on my next turn? Could I then ...
- 1,857
8
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What are "the actions available to all creatures"?
The Monster Manual tells us that:
When a monster takes its action, it can choose from the options in the Actions section of its stat block or use one of the actions available to all creatures, such ...
- 5,696
5
votes
1
answer
325
views
Combat Patrol and Charge
I have a level 10 Orc Fighter. Among other things, I have the Combat Patrol feat.
As a full-round action, you may set up a combat patrol, increasing your threatened area by 5 feet for every 5 points ...
- 2,488
12
votes
2
answers
390
views
Can Lair Actions be used while Resting?
I am curious because of an existing situation in my current campaign, and would appreciate feedback. Here's the scenario:
An Aboleth is confronted in its lair by the party, which manages to beat it ...
- 121
23
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Can you use your bonus action while under the effects of the Fear spell?
The description of the fear spell states, in part:
While frightened by this spell, a creature must take the Dash action
and move away from you by the safest available route on each of its
turns, ...
- 400
11
votes
1
answer
926
views
Is there a reason for Searing Blade to have a standard action as an initiation action?
Both Inferno Blade (stronger) and Burning Blade (weaker) have a swift action as the initiation action, which make sense, as the boost only lasts until your turn ends, however, Searing Blade stands out ...
- 1,159
6
votes
2
answers
741
views
Are there any limitations on the length of a chain of actions?
Prompted by this question about the sleep spell and waking those effected by it, I've been wondering whether it has been commented on officially.
The issue of a chain of dependent events all occurring ...
- 3,764
27
votes
1
answer
18k
views
What are Mythic Actions?
Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft features a creature called a Dullahan. Dullahan has a feature which allows it to come back to life after being reduced to 0 hit points, and doing so allows the ...
- 135k
9
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Way of the Sun Soul, Radiant Bolt clarification
I'm struggling to interpret the way the rules are written for this monastic tradition, specifically this passage:
When you take the Attack action on your turn and use this special attack as part of ...
- 497
19
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Are there any mechanical issues with removing the concept of "triggers" for readied actions?
Since I first read the Ready Action rules, the concept of a trigger rubbed me the wrong way. The idea that a character cannot adapt and improvise in the moment seems odd to me, and when I imagine them ...
- 2,127
9
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Can you use a bonus action before a held readied action?
I know you can not "Ready" a bonus action. But can you ready an attack action and use the bonus action before the attack action when the action is triggered?
The rule for bonus actions says:...
- 99
1
vote
1
answer
729
views
When can I use the Polearm Master bonus action attack? [duplicate]
The first benefit of PAM says
When you take the Attack action and attack with only a glaive, halberd, quarterstaff, or spear, you can use a bonus action to make a melee attack with the opposite end ...
-6
votes
1
answer
341
views
Do I have to attack to use Extra Attack?
Do I have to attack to use Extra Attack? Or can I do something different with my action on my turn and use this feature to attack?
So for example, say I use Dash, Disengage, or Cast a Spell; can I ...
- 353
1
vote
1
answer
369
views
If I get access to a spell attack that's NOT part of a spell, can I use it when I take the Attack action?
Some creatures have entries in their stat block that are classified as 'melee spell attack', or 'ranged spell attack', without actually being tied to the casting of a spell. Some PC subclasses also ...
- 37
12
votes
1
answer
140
views
Can you grow or change a feature on the same turn it’s added?
In the game Cozy Town, you pull a card on every turn from the appropriate deck and check it against the town oracle. The oracle then gives a choice of events for what happens in the town this week. ...
- 4,309
2
votes
1
answer
501
views
Sheathing/unsheathing weapons to cast spells
My friend is playing as a cleric that uses a shield in combat. I am unsure of how the rules for sheathing/dropping weapons work. The way my friend is playing, he seems to be able to cast a spell and ...
- 21
13
votes
1
answer
8k
views
How should my Warlock player use their familiar during battles?
One of my players has a Warlock character and is using Pact of the Chain for their Pact Boon. They most often cast a pseudodragon as their familiar, but neither of us are sure about how they should be ...
- 431
3
votes
0
answers
45
views
is it possible to use a net and shove in the same turn? [duplicate]
My PC has multiple attacks. I would like to know if it is possible to hit with a net (first attack) and then shove the opponent (second attack). Apparently using a net prevents to make a second attack;...
17
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Does making an ability check take an action?
The only ability checks that are listed as an action in the game are Dexterity (Stealth) when taking the Hide action, and Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) for the Search action. Do ...
- 6,169
1
vote
1
answer
100
views
When does a Taunt action take effect during starship combat?
According to Starfinder's starship combat rules on the Captain's Taunt action:
You can use the communications system to broadcast a taunting message to the enemy vessel. You select an enemy vessel ...
- 5,969
3
votes
1
answer
95
views
Does the mandatory piloting check at the beginning of a helm phase count as the pilot "acting" for the purposes of a Taunt action?
In starship combat, a successful Taunt captain action imposes penalties on opposing crew members for a period of 1d4 rounds if they "act" during the phase in which the Taunt occurs. To quote ...
- 5,969
2
votes
1
answer
596
views
How many attacks can I make with the Sudden Charge feat?
Braun is a young Dwarf Barbarian. He uses the Sudden Charge feat to get to the Kobold:
With a quick sprint, you dash up to your foe and swing. Stride twice. If you end your movement within melee ...
- 45.2k
4
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Does the Tasha's Mind Whip spell prevent bonus actions if you take away an action?
The description of the Tasha's mind whip spell states (TCoE, p. 115):
You psychically lash out at one creature you can see within range. The target must make an Intelligence saving throw. On a failed ...
- 77
6
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Do named actions in monster statblocks use the Attack action?
This question is inspired by the following and stems from wondering whether the Steel Defender's "Force-Empowered Rend" action involves taking the Attack action:
Can a hasted steel defender ...
- 74.1k
8
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can a hasted steel defender benefit from its extra actions?
Haste provides an extra action that can be used to Attack (one weapon Attack only), Dash, Disengage, Hide, or Use an Object.
In combat, the defender shares your initiative count, but it takes its ...
- 2,318
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What kind of action is it to put away a shield without dropping it?
I am currently playing a sword and board slayer how likes to switch his warhammer to two-handed or back in a pinch.
However, it is not clear to me how I can do this without dropping the shield. He is ...
- 53
5
votes
1
answer
278
views
What's the deal with readying a swift action?
From Combat
Readying an action is a Standard Action
You can ready a Swift Action.
Interrupting someone with your readied action places your initiative just ahead of that person for the next round.
...
- 1,476
10
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What action does stowing a weapon require?
The rules used to be fairly clear on this point, but they seem to have been errata'd into a more ambiguous state on this matter. Currently there doesn't seem to be strict guidance as to what it takes ...
- 12.9k
12
votes
2
answers
944
views
How does Blink work versus a readied action in this PvP scenario?
Bit of an odd one but I want rulings for this scenario:
Yes this is PVP and it ended up been fun at the table, and no one was upset.
Playing a Level 7 College of Swords Bard with a Homebrew Magic ...
- 121
1
vote
1
answer
198
views
What action do I need to fall prone
I am looking for information what action I have to use when I want to go prone like lay flat on the floor. I can as a swift action stand up from prone and want to duck behind a table stand up shoot ...
- 6,497
0
votes
0
answers
839
views
Holding, Delaying, or Readying an Action? - Rules As Written [duplicate]
Please point or link me to any official rules (rules as written) on when a character can delay, hold or ready an action for later in a round, instead of going on their initiative.
What does a ...
- 2,064
7
votes
1
answer
1k
views
The Inquisitive rogue's Eye for Detail feature allows bonus-action Perception checks. Would that negate disadvantage on attacks when heavily obscured?
The Inquisitive rogue subclass allows Perception checks as a bonus action. Would that remove or affect disadvantage on attacks in a heavily obscured area during combat?
Let's say an Inquisitive rogue ...
- 71
8
votes
1
answer
982
views
Would there be a problem to incorporate Pathfinder-2e's "Step" action in place of DND 5e's "Disengage" action?
Pathfinder's Step:
You carefully move 5 feet. Unlike most types of movement, Stepping doesn’t trigger reactions, such as Attacks of Opportunity, that can be triggered by move actions or upon leaving ...
- 6,169
11
votes
3
answers
1k
views
If a PC becomes stunned on their turn, do they lose the rest of their actions without losing any stunned value?
Page 622 of the Core Rulebook defines the Stunned condition:
You've become senseless. You can't act while stunned. Stunned usually includes a value, possibly over multiple turns, from being stunned. ...
- 1,081
7
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Does Strahd von Zarovich's Move legendary action trigger damage if he moves through an area of sunlight?
I read this Q&A about legendary actions not triggering effects from spells that happen at the beginning of the monster's turn. Since I'm playing in Curse of Strahd, I wondered:
Can Strahd von ...
- 425
3
votes
2
answers
483
views
Does interaction with a magic necklace count as an action in combat?
I'm playing in Curse of Strahd module, and there is an item named the holy symbol of ravenkind.
This item hides behind the paladin’s shirt. When the paladin is in the a middle of the combat and has ...
- 425
6
votes
1
answer
190
views
Does the Hover action provoke?
The Hover action has a Move trait so am I right in assuming this would provoke an attack of opportunity?
- 859
8
votes
3
answers
345
views
Do ghosts have to hover?
I'm trying to figure out the rules around flying creatures - particularly those that only have fly speeds and if that means they effectively have 2 actions a round due to a required hover.
Looking at ...
- 859
1
vote
4
answers
3k
views
How can a rogue use Dash as a regular action, if actions and bonus actions aren't interchangeable?
I've found two chains of Twitter posts by Jeremy Crawford that I can't seem to make sense of.
According to a Crawford tweet from August 2018:
Actions and bonus actions aren't interchangeable.
...
- 61
3
votes
1
answer
150
views
How does 'Standard Action Attacking' Work with the Big Cat animal companion?
I'm playing pathfinder with my friends as a hunter (ranged build) and I have an animal companion (the Big Cat animal companion archetype). We are currently level 5, and we started at level 4 and I am ...
- 71
20
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Would it be balanced to introduce an "Aim Action" that uses the same mechanics as True Strike?
There are few things in D&D 5E on which the consensus is as overwhelming as on the fact that True Strike is an extremely poor cantrip. As discussed in many places, the main problem is the action ...
- 4,919
4
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can I use my "free object interaction" between the multiple attacks of my Attack action?
Say I'm a fighter and have the Extra Attack feature, which lets me make multiple attacks as part of a single action. Can I make one attack, interact with an object using the free interaction, then ...
- 143
5
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can the Polearm Master bonus attack only be used after the main attack?
The first benefit of the Polearm Master feat says (PHB, p. 168):
When you take the Attack action and attack with only a glaive,
halberd, quarterstaff, or spear, you can use a bonus action to make a
...
- 1,506
15
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Can the Mage Hand cantrip be used to operate a Ballista?
DMG page 255-256 describes several siege weapons which are actually objects. The siege weapons require actions to load, aim, and fire them. For the ballista, for example, it says:
It takes one action ...
- 1,260
6
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can I use the Illusionist's Bracers and the Twinned Spell metamagic to cast a twinned Booming Blade as both an action and a bonus action?
The description of the illusionist's bracers (GGR, page 178) says:
While wearing the bracers, whenever you cast a cantrip, you can use a bonus action on the same turn to cast that cantrip a second ...
- 10.8k
17
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Does the Battle Smith artificer's Steel Defender get a full turn?
I know the Steel Defender uses your initiative and goes immediately after you. What I'm not sure about is what is can actually do on its turn.
Does a Steel Defender get a full turn?
Action
Free ...
- 171