Maidhc O Casain
Na Bith Mo Riocht Tá!
The IC question about how readied actions worked prompted me to do a little research, especially since as a player I've been limited by a GM in just this situation. I debated with him for a few posts but eventually saw his point and agreed. Most (but not all) of the folks I've found chiming in seem to agree as well. Note that I'm not suggesting in any way that we change the ruling in this case, nor am I trying to step on any toes - just fostering a spirited rules discussion.
The arguments against using Readied Actions in this manner go like this:
Yes, special forces/police squads/etc go charging through doors as a standard tactic. If they've been sufficiently sneaky coming up to the door they take the bad guys on the other side by surprise. If not, they're met with a hail of gunfire as soon as the door flies open.
For this specific instance it could be argued that while our feisty Kobold was ready to charge through the door the bad-ass demon was just as ready for someone to come charging through, since there was no surprise on either side of the dice. Imagine the cries of outrage if it were us behind the door and the demon charging through... "What!? But we weren't surprised and we won the initiative... how do they still get to go first?!" (I can't speak for everyone else, obviously, but Scotley and Yrel can surely attest that I at least would be protesting loudly
).
The arguments for seem to be based more on the vague wording and the fact that using them this way is not specifically forbidden in Pathfinder (though it was more than a strong suggestion in 3.5).
The arguments against using Readied Actions in this manner go like this:
- Readied actions have to be taken in combat (after initiative). This started with 3.5. On page 26 of the DMG it says, "Don't allow players to take a readied action outside of combat."
- The rules are in the combat section of the Pathfinder core rulebook, and specifically refer to standard actions and rounds - terms that have no meaning outside of combat.
- Finally, what you're really looking at is acting before initiative is rolled - the very definition of a surprise round, which is the mechanic that should be used in these situations.
Yes, special forces/police squads/etc go charging through doors as a standard tactic. If they've been sufficiently sneaky coming up to the door they take the bad guys on the other side by surprise. If not, they're met with a hail of gunfire as soon as the door flies open.
For this specific instance it could be argued that while our feisty Kobold was ready to charge through the door the bad-ass demon was just as ready for someone to come charging through, since there was no surprise on either side of the dice. Imagine the cries of outrage if it were us behind the door and the demon charging through... "What!? But we weren't surprised and we won the initiative... how do they still get to go first?!" (I can't speak for everyone else, obviously, but Scotley and Yrel can surely attest that I at least would be protesting loudly
).The arguments for seem to be based more on the vague wording and the fact that using them this way is not specifically forbidden in Pathfinder (though it was more than a strong suggestion in 3.5).
