Command Word As Free Action

[Elephant]

...usable once per round, like a Quickened Spell.

Would this variant cause problems in the game? Who would it weaken, who would it strengthen, and how would it break the game?

I was thinking "It doesn't take all that long to say "tenderfoot" or "cruciatus" in real life, and that doesn't negate your ability to do things that are standard actions in D&D, so why should a "command word" in D&D negate your ability to attack or cast a spell when the rules already allow you to speak while you're attacking or casting spells? For logical consistency's sake, a standard action for a command word seems too long.

Thoughts, anyone?

 

[genshou]

It's a standard action so you can't do other things like attack or cast a spell in the same round. Does it make any sense? No.

As to how much it would impact the game to change it, well... people will be able to activate magic items on the same round they cast a spell or make an attack. I don't see that as potentially unbalancing to the point of breaking the game. If your variant works better for you, then by all means, use it!

And thanks for posting it for us to yoink.

 

[Jack Simth]

Consider: Rogue with Ring/Wand of Invisibility and Boots/Helm of Teleportation (or multiple Capes of the Monteback).

Rogue sneaks up invisibly, gets a sneak attack in, and teleports out to a very familiar location.

Rogue then re-activates ring, seeks out party, and repeats.

Now, if the Boots/Cape/Helm take a standard action to use, this is a rather foolheardy endeavor for the Rogue - if he attacks, he risks getting a full attack in return. If it's a free action, he doesn't. A nearly perfect assasin, no? Fighters of course can pull the same stunts, but the Rogue benefits from it a little more.

 

[Arkham]

Using a command word is already a free action...
Command Word: If no activation method is suggested either in the magic item description or by the nature of the item, assume that a command word is needed to activate it. Command word activation means that a character speaks the word and the item activates. No other special knowledge is needed.
A command word can be a real word, but when this is the case, the holder of the item runs the risk of activating the item accidentally by speaking the word in normal conversation.

And remember, talking is a free action.

I know it says further on that using a command word is a standard action, but considering it already stated that it can happen as part of a free action, it is irrelevent.

Now if it requires targeting or decisions from the one activating it, then I make it take the normal standard action, but otherwise it can be used as a free action by the RAW.

 

[Elephant]

Using a command word is already a free action...
Command Word: If no activation method is suggested either in the magic item description or by the nature of the item, assume that a command word is needed to activate it. Command word activation means that a character speaks the word and the item activates. No other special knowledge is needed.
A command word can be a real word, but when this is the case, the holder of the item runs the risk of activating the item accidentally by speaking the word in normal conversation.

And remember, talking is a free action.

I know it says further on that using a command word is a standard action, but considering it already stated that it can happen as part of a free action, it is irrelevent.

Now if it requires targeting or decisions from the one activating it, then I make it take the normal standard action, but otherwise it can be used as a free action by the RAW.

That argument wouldn't fly with any DM I know. Anyway, I'm interested more in thoughts about what problems it would cause and what "ripple effects" the change would create, not arguments about ambiguous wording in the rulebooks.

 

[the Jester]

I know it says further on that using a command word is a standard action, but considering it already stated that it can happen as part of a free action, it is irrelevent.

Er, no it didn't. You inserted the words "free action" there- the RAW merely says that it's possible to accidentally trigger a command word item in normal conversation. Never does it say that this is a free action. In fact- as you point out yourself- it says that using a command word is a standard action. In other words, talking normally is a free action; command words, however, are not. I'd even go so far as to say that they require a standard action even if activated by accident. Maybe the wand (or whatever) suddenly starts to vibrate, distracting the user; whatever, it takes a standard action to activate a command word activated item.