D&D 5E (2014) Combat round break down


log in or register to remove this ad

I think by seconds is the easiest. I would allot 1 second per thing done in the round/turn. 1 second to unsheathe a weapon, 1 second for action, 1 second for bonus action, etc., maybe 2 seconds for movement. Any time left after all things are done could be said to be reaction time from brain to action, as well as, split second contemplation to decide on those actions.
 


If you had to break a 6 sec combat round down how would you do it? So many seconds for action, movement, etc.
I don't think that you can. Some things can happen simultaneously and others may be happening during the entire round. 30ft move could be a cautious advance over all 6 seconds, or it could be a short dash over just a few for example.

Its like trying to break down "1 attack roll" into "1 swing of the weapon": it just doesn't make sense when you try to quantify it that way.
 

The question came up because of someone falling 120ft and whether or not that person could cast a 1 action spell before hitting.
 


If you cast a spell as a bonus action, draw a weapon, make three attacks, and move thirty feet; then I would say that the bonus action spell takes about a second, drawing a weapon takes about a second, making three attacks takes about five seconds, and moving thirty feet takes about six seconds. You can't draw a weapon at the same time you swing it, but the time it takes for the spell probably overlaps with the time spent making an attack, and you're moving constantly while you're doing everything else.
 

The question came up because of someone falling 120ft and whether or not that person could cast a 1 action spell before hitting.

Depends on the table.

  • Rules oriented/Gamist: Take a reaction only.
  • Realistic/high verisimilitude: Humans fall about 550 feet in their first 6 second with air resistance. If you come up in the next 4 initiative ticks I'll let you have your action.
  • Narrativist: You fall at the speed of plot.

Personally I'd be between the first two - if it's far enough you can get an turn, if it's not it's just a reaction - everything is happening nigh simultaneously.
 



Remove ads

Top