Getting those potions out in combat: How long?

[Ninja-to]

What do you guys do about storing potions (as Dm's)?

I've been toying with the idea of a sort of 'Potion Belt', maybe making the maximum 4 potions on a belt, only one belt per character, and then having it a move action to retrive one (or part of a move action if they 'move', just like drawing a weapon). Does this sound fair? I just have issues with my players carrying upwards of 20 potions, and then say 'I use quickdraw to get my potion as a free action!' and then gulping it down.

First off, I explained already that quick draw is a fighting technique used for weapons, and part of the feat involves not only the skill of being able to draw fast, but customizing your weapons sheathes etc so that they're easy to reach. I ruled this does not apply to other items. You can't 'quick draw' a pair of boots from your backpack!

Anyway, what rules do you use for retrieving potions? How long does it take to get them in hand and ready to use?

 

[Khayman]

Unless the player stated that they readied the potion or left it someplace accessible (ie, top of the pack, on a bandolier, in a bag, etc.), we assume it is in their pack. So, to open and rummage through the pack...

Reflex DC 15 to retrieve --- it takes 1 round to locate & get in hand.
Failure by less than 5, 2 rounds.
Failure by more than 5 but less than 10, 3 rounds.
Failure by more than 10, 4 rounds.

Critical failure means the vial fell out, you left it back at the campsite, or it was crushed by other items in the pack. (Our DM is usually more forgiving than this, but these are the house rules as written.)
Critical success means the vial is in hand immediately (eg, you were just closing up your pack and it was at hand).

 

[Wolfix]

The Forgotton Realms CS has a potion belt listed in it's equipment section, might be something you're looking for. It costs 1gp and holds 6 potions. Retrieving one is a free action once per round. There's also a masterwork version of it which holds 10 potions but costs 60gp.

 

[shilsen]

Standard PHB rules: Move action to retrieve it, since it's a stored item (PHB table 8-2), and drawing an AoO. Standard action to use it, which also draws AoOs. And Quick Draw doesn't apply to potions.

 

[Ninja-to]

The Forgotton Realms CS has a potion belt listed in it's equipment section, might be something you're looking for. It costs 1gp and holds 6 potions. Retrieving one is a free action once per round. There's also a masterwork version of it which holds 10 potions but costs 60gp.

Interesting. But sounds very Diablo 2-ish...

 

[Ninja-to]

Standard PHB rules: Move action to retrieve it, since it's a stored item (PHB table 8-2), and drawing an AoO. Standard action to use it, which also draws AoOs. And Quick Draw doesn't apply to potions.

Pretty sure retriving a stored item from a backpack is a full round action...

 

[Ninja-to]

Unless the player stated that they readied the potion or left it someplace accessible (ie, top of the pack, on a bandolier, in a bag, etc.), we assume it is in their pack. So, to open and rummage through the pack...

Reflex DC 15 to retrieve --- it takes 1 round to locate & get in hand.
Failure by less than 5, 2 rounds.
Failure by more than 5 but less than 10, 3 rounds.
Failure by more than 10, 4 rounds.

Critical failure means the vial fell out, you left it back at the campsite, or it was crushed by other items in the pack. (Our DM is usually more forgiving than this, but these are the house rules as written.)
Critical success means the vial is in hand immediately (eg, you were just closing up your pack and it was at hand).

I'm assuming these are your own house rules...?

 

[Hypersmurf]

I'm assuming these are your own house rules...?

The phrase "These are the house rules as written" would tend to support that assumption

-Hyp.

 

[shilsen]

Pretty sure retriving a stored item from a backpack is a full round action...

Do you have a reference for that? I'm pretty sure that it's a move action. A Heward's Handy Haversack explicitly sets itself apart because removing an item from it is a move action that draws no AoOs (while extricating an object from a normal backpack would).

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I too remember reading that it's a full round action to retrieve from a backpack. If drawing a weapon from your belt is a move action, there's no way pulling something out of a backpack doesn't take longer (assuming you're wearing the backpack, of course).

The potion belts from the FR books are actually pretty cool and we've introduced them into our game.