Nareau
Explorer
The rules in the PHB are really vague (P134). It says you must "specify the partial action you will take and the conditions under which you will take it." How vague can I be with the "conditions"? How vague can I be when I "specify the partial action"?
Are the following examples legal (and if the answer is No, can you explain exactly why not?):
I'll go when he starts to do something
I'll attack as soon as he twitches (that is, as soon as he swings a weapon, reaches for an item, takes a 5' step, etc)
I'll attack as soon as he twitches, and follow him 5' if I can (so that I can hit him, and then move into position to take an AoO if he starts casting a spell)
I'll cast a spell as soon as he twitches (do I have to specify which spell? Readying to Counterspell seems to indicate that you don't...)
Let's say I want to ready a counterspell. If I can't counterspell a spell he's casting (I don't have Dispel Magic, or the same spell), can I cast something else? Can I ready an action to cast a spell as soon as he twitches, make a spellcraft check to see what spell he's casting (assuming he decides to cast a spell), and cast something based on that info (like Resists Elements (cold) in reaction to his casting Cone of Cold)?
I'm sure this has been asked before, so pointers to previous threads/Sage answers would be appreciated. I've heard that the Sage tried to clarify the "Ready Action" action in Dragon, but I don't have access to that.
Caliban, as always, your wisdom would be greatly appreciated.
Are the following examples legal (and if the answer is No, can you explain exactly why not?):
I'll go when he starts to do something
I'll attack as soon as he twitches (that is, as soon as he swings a weapon, reaches for an item, takes a 5' step, etc)
I'll attack as soon as he twitches, and follow him 5' if I can (so that I can hit him, and then move into position to take an AoO if he starts casting a spell)
I'll cast a spell as soon as he twitches (do I have to specify which spell? Readying to Counterspell seems to indicate that you don't...)
Let's say I want to ready a counterspell. If I can't counterspell a spell he's casting (I don't have Dispel Magic, or the same spell), can I cast something else? Can I ready an action to cast a spell as soon as he twitches, make a spellcraft check to see what spell he's casting (assuming he decides to cast a spell), and cast something based on that info (like Resists Elements (cold) in reaction to his casting Cone of Cold)?
I'm sure this has been asked before, so pointers to previous threads/Sage answers would be appreciated. I've heard that the Sage tried to clarify the "Ready Action" action in Dragon, but I don't have access to that.
Caliban, as always, your wisdom would be greatly appreciated.