Can a PC force another PC to drink a potion in combat?

[MarkB]

I don't see it as punishing characters for helping one another. I see it as a deterrant from perceived possible abuse.

If you read the original request he is asking about how you would rule when a character is fighting and has used all his actions for the round and another character in the party wants to provide him another action to imbibe a potion so he doesn't go down.

The other character is using their action to heal him, not granting him an extra action. In fact, if you go with the full-round action, they're dedicating two entire turns to this action - one to retrieve their potion and reach the injured character, then another to administer the potion. That's two rounds to, essentially, cast a spell from an item.

There's nothing abusive there.

I can just see the invisible, shoulder-riding brownie cohorts with potion bandaliers builds coming...

Unless I misunderstood the question.

Might as well make those brownies first-level clerics, or bards, or druids, and give them CLW scrolls or wands. Cheaper than potions, and quicker to administer on others.

 

[frankthedm]

Because *nothing* makes players want to watch each other's backs and help each other out like punishing them for it...

Watching someone's back falls under Aid Another. This is attempting to pour liquid down the throat of another person who is trying to dodge incoming attacks while in combat. I'd say the Bard has 2 choices;


1. At the end of his turn, elect to be flatfooted until his next action to be able receive the potion. Giver take a a full round action to do so. Both draw AoO.

2. Ready an action to drink the potion when it is presented. Giver takes a standard action to do so. Both draw AoO.


Aid Another
In melee combat, you can help a friend attack or defend by distracting or interfering with an opponent. If you’re in position to make a melee attack on an opponent that is engaging a friend in melee combat, you can attempt to aid your friend as a standard action. You make an attack roll against AC 10. If you succeed, your friend gains either a +2 bonus on his next attack roll against that opponent or a +2 bonus to AC against that opponent’s next attack (your choice), as long as that attack comes before the beginning of your next turn. Multiple characters can aid the same friend, and similar bonuses stack.

You can also use this standard action to help a friend in other ways, such as when he is affected by a spell, or to assist another character’s skill check.

See also: Aid Another during a skill check.