full attack action? is it? isn't it?

[Negative Zero]

here's a lil something that caught my eye some time ago, that i'd like to submit for consideration:

certain actions, like attacking more than once per round, and some feats, like Rapid Shot, specifically state that you "must use the full attack action." whereas some other feats, like Expertise and Whirlwind Attack, state that they can be used "when you take the full attack action." (or "the attack action" in the case of Expertise.)

my question here is, is there a fundamental difference between the wording of these two statements? as in, "this action is a full attack action" in the case of the former, and "this action is not a full attack action, but can be done when performing another full attack action" in the latter.

what do you think?

~NegZ

 

[kreynolds]

my question here is, is there a fundamental difference between the wording of these two statements?

No. It's just the result of several different people, with different writing styles, all working on the same project.

 

[Negative Zero]

Re: Re: full attack action? is it? isn't it?

No. It's just the result of several different people, with different writing styles, all working on the same project.

isn't that what editing is for? to create consistency?

 

[kreynolds]

Re: Re: Re: full attack action? is it? isn't it?

isn't that what editing is for? to create consistency?

You would think, but apparently not. When they mention "full-attack action", they aren't necessarily referring to a character taking all of their attacks. The full attack action is simply an action that only allows a 5-foot step. That's what they mean when you see that in a feat description. It means that when you use the feat, you can only take a 5-foot step in addition to the action required (full attack action) to use the feat.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Re: Re: Re: full attack action? is it? isn't it?

isn't that what editing is for? to create consistency?

Yes, but WotC's editors aren't up to it. They're streched thin as is.

 

[hong]

certain actions, like attacking more than once per round, and some feats, like Rapid Shot, specifically state that you "must use the full attack action." whereas some other feats, like Expertise and Whirlwind Attack, state that they can be used "when you take the full attack action." (or "the attack action" in the case of Expertise.)

...
what do you think?

I think the difference only really exists if you interpret "take" in the Biblical sense.

 

[cossakking]

Depedns on what your definition of is is

IT worked for it....

 

[Storm Raven]

certain actions, like attacking more than once per round, and some feats, like Rapid Shot, specifically state that you "must use the full attack action." whereas some other feats, like Expertise and Whirlwind Attack, state that they can be used "when you take the full attack action." (or "the attack action" in the case of Expertise.)

The only difference comes when the word "full" is included or omitted. If it says it can be done with or during a "full attack action" then you have to be in a position where you could be able to take the full round and make all available iterative attacks. If it saimply says it can be done with or during an "attack action", all you have to be doing is making a standard action attack or more.

So, for example, you have to be able to take your full round of iterative attacks to use Whirlwind Attack, but you can use Expertise anytime you make a single attack or more (which would not necessarily require a full round).