Can Slowed creatures use free actions?

[TessarrianDM]

According to the spell description, "a slowed creature can take only a single move action or standard action each turn, but not both (nor may it take full-round actions). Would this in any way inhibit its ability to use free, immediate, and swift actions? I do not see anything that specifically states they cannot, but I want to be able to head off any objections beforehand.

As an example case, a Beholder can use his eye rays every round as free actions. If he was slowed, would he still be able to do so?

 

[blargney the second]

Technically, the beholder would be able to unload the whole shebang even when slowed. That being said, I'd probably rule that it can only use half its eyerays in a single round.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

According to the spell description, "a slowed creature can take only a single move action or standard action each turn, but not both (nor may it take full-round actions). Would this in any way inhibit its ability to use free, immediate, and swift actions? I do not see anything that specifically states they cannot, but I want to be able to head off any objections beforehand.

As an example case, a Beholder can use his eye rays every round as free actions. If he was slowed, would he still be able to do so?

It doesnt mention them, so they arent impacted by the effect.

 

[lukelightning]

It doesnt mention them, so they arent impacted by the effect.

But it says you can only take a move or standard action. That could be interpreted to preclude free, swift, and immediate actions. And speedy, quick, hyper, and super-caffeinated actions as well.

 

[The Blow Leprechaun]

I would say that being slowed causes every action to take one speed-category longer... standard and move actions now become full-round actions (hence only being able to do one or the other), immediate becomes free, free becomes swift, swift becomes standard or move.

Since you only get one swift action a round, the beholder can use one eye ray. It's not the RAW, but I think it fits the spirit of the rules. Free actions are shorter than move actions - if you can make a move action while slowed, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to take a free action.

 

[TessarrianDM]

Free actions are shorter than move actions - if you can make a move action while slowed, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to take a free action.

Just to clarify, I am not talking about taking a free action instead of a move or standard action, but in addition to the move or standard action the character is able to take. I agree with ehren37 and blargney the second in the "if it's not mentioned, it's not prohibited" sense. My players, however, are fully convinced that the system is unfairly skewed towards their opponents. They have never met a beholder, and when it starts (essentially) casting nine spells per round, plus a making full 20' move and a bite attack, they are going to go spastic because their characters cannot do the same thing.

With proof in hand that the monster is taking actions as allowed by the rules, the whining ends quicker, and we can move on.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

But it says you can only take a move or standard action. That could be interpreted to preclude free, swift, and immediate actions. And speedy, quick, hyper, and super-caffeinated actions as well.

No, it says you can only take one or the other. Meaning not both. It doesnt mention anything about the others.

Even in our hobby, common sense still has a place. Only the lamest rules lawyer would try and twist it where a faster action cant be completed (free, swift), yet a slower action can (standard or move).

Bob eats dinner every night, having a main course, a side dish, and desert. One day his wife tells him he has to choose between the main course and a side dish. Can Bob have desert? Yes, because he doesnt have to choose between that and the other.

Or put it like this. What is breathing? A free action. What is thinking? A free action. ZOMG, slow makes you suffocate and unable to think!!!1!

 

[Diirk]

Or put it like this. What is breathing? A free action. What is thinking? A free action. ZOMG, slow makes you suffocate and unable to think!!!1!

Actually I'd say both of those come under the category "not an action". Especially considering you can only take free actions during your turn (with the exception of talking, and featherfall which was changed to immediate anyway).

 

[Hypersmurf]

Restricted Activity: In some situations, you may be unable to take a full round's worth of actions. In such cases, you are restricted to taking only a single standard action or a single move action (plus free actions as normal). You can't take a full-round action (though you can start or complete a full-round action by using a standard action; see below).

I'd say this clause probably applies.

-Hyp.

 

[TessarrianDM]

Restricted Activity: In some situations, you may be unable to take a full round's worth of actions. In such cases, you are restricted to taking only a single standard action or a single move action (plus free actions as normal). You can't take a full-round action (though you can start or complete a full-round action by using a standard action; see below).

I'd say this clause probably applies.

-Hyp.

I must be blind-I looked right over that paragraph. It even uses the slow spell as an example. Thanks!