Drawing Weapons While Charging?

[kmdietri]

I rule that a character can't draw a weapon during the movement portion of a charge. Is this right?

And relatedly, can a character draw a weapon during the movement portion of a mounted charge?

 

[kreynolds]

I rule that a character can't draw a weapon during the movement portion of a charge. Is this right?

Technically, no. From the PH, page 121, emphasis mine...

You can perform one or more free actions while taking another action normally.

I don't know that it would be out of the question to apply some kind of minimum movement required before you could properly set your weapon up for the charge though. For example, you might require that you need to charge at least 10 feat with your weapon drawn in order to get the Charge benefits. So, say you want to charge 30 feet. You could require that you need to draw your weapon by the time you move 20 feet to get the benefits. Of course, that would be a house rule though. I don't think it's necessary, but others might.

And relatedly, can a character draw a weapon during the movement portion of a mounted charge?

Technically, yes.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Re: Re: Drawing Weapons While Charging?

Technically, no. From the PH, page 121, emphasis mine...

You can perform one or more free actions while taking another action normally.

I'm forced to disagree with your answer, for the conditions I'm assuming the original question expected (ie no Quick Draw).

Drawing a weapon is not a free action - it's a MEA "that can be combined with a regular move".

Table 8-1 defines the Move allowed with a Charge as " x2 (special) ". "Special" is about as opposite as you can get to "Regular".

Unless you have Quick Draw, I wouldn't allow drawing while charging.

-Hyp.

 

[0-hr]

Evein with a +1 BAB, you cannot combine a charge with the preparation of a weapon because a charge is not a "regular move" (nor is a partial charge). A 5ft step, and standing up from prone are also not regular moves, though they also involve some movement.

In order to get the free weapon draw, you need to do a plain old move.

 

[dcollins]

I rule that a character can't draw a weapon during the movement portion of a charge. Is this right?

And relatedly, can a character draw a weapon during the movement portion of a mounted charge?

I also agree with the original poster. A charge action is distinct from, and does not include, the move-equivalent action which is needed under the rules to draw a weapon (even under the combined-with-+1-BAB rule).

The second issue is more of a gray area. I personally would allow it.

 

[mkletch]

Re: Re: Drawing Weapons While Charging?

You can perform one or more free actions while taking another action normally...

From the SRD, Combat Actions
Draw a weapon [Move Equivalent][AoO: No]

Description: If a combatant has a base attack bonus of +1 or higher, a combatant can combine one of these actions with a regular move. If a combatant has the Two-Weapon Fighting feat, a combatant can draw two light or one-handed weapons in the time it would normally take a combatant to draw one.

Drawing a weapon is not a free action unless you have Quick Draw. Otherwise, it is only a special circumstance that can be stacked with "a regular move". That is, a single move or a double move, but not a run, charge, teleport, etc.

-Fletch!

 

[AGGEMAM]

Please note that a *regular* move is actually the same as a move action but not the same as a MEA.

 

[kreynolds]

I assumed Quick Draw was part of the equation because I had just come from two different Quick Draw threads. By bad.

 

[Taloras]

Id agree...cant draw a weapon while charging. I know you shouldnt try to put D&D into realistic life, but do you know how hard it would be to draw a weapon while running at full tilt(which is how i see a charge)? Practically impossible, unless your one of those ppl w/ the sword on your back, and its still not angled right for a hit.

 

[mkletch]

Actually, you're too busy working up that ferocious yell that gives you the +2 on attack, and you're waving your weapon over your head like a maniac, so you get the -2 to AC. You obviously can;t fit the weapon draw into such a realistic, cinematically powerful event...

-Fletch!