Does anyone 'ready' much?

[Vegepygmy]

So, do y'all see people take ready actions that much?

I use them myself more than I see other people use them, but it's not uncommon in our group.

 

[DumbPaladin]

Yup! I am currently the party's counterspeller, with a rod of spell turning, so I use ready quite often. Our fighter and my cohort will also ready actions when within melee range of spellcasters.

 

[Sorry_Charry]

There you go.

Awesome Jack, thanks. Completely missed that! Wasn't trying to be a contrarian on the matter (there is enough of that here already ). Just thought that someone (me, in this case) was misinterpreting the RAW.

 

[Jack Simth]

Awesome Jack, thanks. Completely missed that! Wasn't trying to be a contrarian on the matter (there is enough of that here already ). Just thought that someone (me, in this case) was misinterpreting the RAW.

Glad to help. It is kinda buried.

 

[Dross]

We use it sporadically as a PC, usually to counter the move-damage-move actions of others. The less intelligent the foe is the more likely a ready action will be taken to counter.

Those that use ready more often tend to be Henchmen, cohorts, familiars/animal companions, & less powerful NPC's who will often ready actions appropriate to their skills: cover another access point, cover/guard/be a meat shield to a PC, heal, look for casters, grab the McGuffin when the opportunity presents itself, etc.

DM NPCs tend to follow the henchmen scenario above if they use ready.

 

[Axel]

Others seem to have already mentioned the situations I find 'readying' useful. Namely:

1. Against move-attack-move opponents.
2. Against opposing spellcasters. I tend to keep a fair few Dispel Magic handy...

It's also moderately useful when you're fighting in a tunnel, or some other fairly linear terrain, to cover passages on the side. "I ready my axe to smash the next thing coming through" can, and has, backfired on me though ("friendly" fire attack).

 

[radmod]

The less intelligent the foe is the more likely a ready action will be taken to counter.

Just to get off topic, but, hey, it's my topic anyway:
I would so love to see more DMs play their monsters intelligently. That is, if the monster is stupid, then it should be stupid. If it's trained, it should be trained. If it's highly intelligent then play it intelligently.
That's the sign of a good DM, IMO.

 

[pawsplay]

Fairly often. My players used some cute tricks, like readying to move if an opponent that attacks. Then the NPCs change their tactics... it adds a lot of interest to a game.

Be prepared, however, for players to be less than happy when a dragon readies to breathe when an opponent casts a spell...

 

[Andras]

Absolutely, as the party rogue I'll move into a good spot and ready an attack for when I have a party member in a flanking position so I'll get the sneak dice.