reapersaurus said:
you're kidding - you're using the SRD as the rules source for the game?
The SRD is not complete, in my experience.
I'll take the PHB as a rules source over the SRD in a heartbeat.
The SRD is a good source to use. The charge attack does consume a full round. The reason the PHB does not come right out and say it is because it indeed is a special standard action. In fact, it has it's own little line when you look at the chart for what actions can be performed in a round. A charge can't be broken down into a Move Equivalent / Standard Action. If you could do this, then that would introduce the ability to line up with the Move Equivalent and then use the Standard Action to charge. I have found that the SRD contains better information than the PHB. In most cases, the SRD has the erratta applied too.
However, I do not use the SRD as a single source of information. I look at all things before I make a final ruling. This includes Eratta, FAQs, Dragon Magazine, WOTC website, EN World, other WOTC books.
Back to the issue on hand, it looks like the consensus among my players is that the charge has been disrupted by the trip and the opponent can no longer do any other action that round. They have some good supporting points on why it should be that way. So, that brings me to look at all of the other "Full-Round" actions and ask, can all of these be disrupted and the opponent no longer do anything at all for the rest of the round? That is truly a can of worms.
I am looking for a hard fast rule on what trip can and can't interrupt. I haven't been able to find anything concrete in any of the books.
Thank you everyone for your input.
LT