free action to sheathe ?

[isoChron]

I have a little problem with some hint in the latest FAQ:

Does Quick Draw (Player’s Handbook, page 98) allow
you to sheathe a weapon as a free action?
No. Quick Draw clearly states that it allows you to “draw a
weapon as a free action.” Nowhere does it suggest anything
about sheathing a weapon more quickly than normal (a move
action).
You may be confusing Quick Draw with the ability of any
character with a base attack bonus of +1 or better to draw or
sheathe a weapon as a free action as part of movement (see
page 142 in the Player’s Handbook). While these functions are
similar and overlap to some extent, they are different.

Now I looked in the SRD and found only the old rule about drawing a weapon as part of your movement, nothing about sheating. Is the text in the PHB different or is it just another case of a "(non-)trustworthy" FAQ ?

 

[Thanee]

Seems to be an error. Sheathing a weapon cannot be combined with a move only drawing a weapon can (and handling a shield).

Bye
Thanee

 

[Bront]

What? An error in the FAQ? Nah, couldn't be.

Many people houserule to allow sheathing to take the same time as drawing, but it's definately a bit more focus comsuming.

 

[Bagpuss]

If sheathing did take as long as drawing a weapon my character wouldn't have a habit of littering the field of battle with his weapons.

Round 1 (supprise) - Fire crossbow.
Round 2 - Drop crossbow, draw Greataxe and charge in.
Round 3 - Find out they have DR verse slashing, drop axe and draw next weapon...

 

[werk]

If sheathing did take as long as drawing a weapon my character wouldn't have a habit of littering the field of battle with his weapons.

Round 1 (surprise) - Fire crossbow.
Round 2 - Drop crossbow, draw Greataxe and charge in.
Round 3 - Find out they have DR verse slashing, drop axe and draw next weapon...

(Houserules below)

That's exactly why I houseruled that sheathe takes as long as draw, so Quick-Draw include sheathe or stow. Great for bows and shields. I haven't had any problems with it other than satisfied players.

 

[dcollins]

Good catch. It seems like the Sage himself confused "draw/sheathe a weapon" with "ready/loose a shield", the latter pair of which you can in fact do with a normal move.

 

[Legildur]

<sigh> Does that mean that the statement in the FAQ that monks can take the Improved Natural Attack feat is right or wrong? <runs and hides from incoming tirade>

 

[RigaMortus2]

If sheathing did take as long as drawing a weapon my character wouldn't have a habit of littering the field of battle with his weapons.

Round 1 (supprise) - Fire crossbow.
Round 2 - Drop crossbow, draw Greataxe and charge in.
Round 3 - Find out they have DR verse slashing, drop axe and draw next weapon...

Man, I hope you never have to retreat from a battle...

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

It's wrong, of course (sorta) - but it was wrong anyway.

 

[frankthedm]

It was more than likely a mistake.

It seems innocent to let sheathing be a free action, until the PRCs start showing up that give bonuses on "attacking from the draw".

I Like sheathing to be the move equivelant action since doing so makes the act of sheathing in combat a stronger "I do not wish to fight" act.