Action Points and games that use them.

jdrakeh · May 17, 2026

Somewhat recently (when proofreading a game) I came across the concept of Action Points, being a resource that a player can spend for their character to take actions in combat. In the game I was proofreading 1 AP = 1 action. I'm sure other games have used this concept (in fact, I know that GEAS has, but I'm skipping that game because of the large number of errors I found in the PWYW edition). What other games use Action Points in this fashion? I'm particularly interested in fantasy games, but will take a look at other games as warranted. I'm basically looking to lift a mechanic like this for use in legacy D&D.

Koloth · May 17, 2026

PF2 uses pretty much that mechanic. Each character gets 3 Action points per round to spend. Some things like movement take 1AP. Many spells take 2AP to cast. You can do 1 AP worth of movement and cast a 2 AP spell or do 3 1AP attacks with an minus modifier for each attack after the first. Or do three moves worth 1AP each.

jdrakeh · May 17, 2026

Does Pathfinder 2e allow you to spend Action Points to take actions out of initiative order (i.e. "not on your turn" in game)?

zarionofarabel · May 17, 2026

Mythras uses Action Points. Most characters have 2AP, having 3AP can be a great advantage in combat.

TheHand · May 17, 2026

D&D 4th edition used Action Points. 1 Action Point let you use another Action (whether standard, minor, or move). It’s been too long since I played it to remember if there were ways to spend them between your turns, but it probably would’ve needed a special class power to do so.

the Jester · May 17, 2026

I use action points mostly how they were in 4e in my own homebrewed "DnD Jazz" system:

Your action points reset to 1 when you complete a long rest.
You gain 1 action point about every other meaningful encounter.
You can spend an action point to take an extra action, and some feats give you other effects or options as well when you use them.
If you have more than one feat that gives you extra stuff when you spend an action point, you have to choose one of those feats' benefits.

They also existed in 3e in Eberron, but I don't remember exactly how they worked and my Eberron book is not at hand for me to check.

Nikosandros · May 17, 2026

Chivalry & Sorcery has an action points system, in which each action has a specific cost. Hack Master and Aces & Eights by Kenzer do something similar, with a second-by-second count. There was also an optional system in one of the Rolemaster companions.

aramis erak · May 17, 2026

jdrakeh said:
Somewhat recently (when proofreading a game) I came across the concept of Action Points, being a resource that a player can spend for their character to take actions in combat. In the game I was proofreading 1 AP = 1 action. I'm sure other games have used this concept (in fact, I know that GEAS has, but I'm skipping that game because of the large number of errors I found in the PWYW edition). What other games use Action Points in this fashion? I'm particularly interested in fantasy games, but will take a look at other games as warranted. I'm basically looking to lift a mechanic like this for use in legacy D&D.

Classic Traveller has them as a systemic option for personal combat... two different variations in the "usable with Traveller" board games Snapshot and Azhanti High Lightning. Snapshot is an AP and 1.5m grid variation on Bk1 personal combat. AHL is the same combat mechanics as Striker, and is more convertible than directly drop-in replacement - tho' plenty of us did.

FASA Star Trek: the Roleplaying Game (STRPG) used AP in personal combat, but not in ship-to-ship.

Gorilla Games' Battlestations is right on the border of RPG/Character-Scale-Wargame... 1st ed is an AP system with AP set by species.