Is a five-foot step a free action if you've already moved your speed?

[Dark Jezter]

Quick question: A little earlier, a goblin who was coming after a PC moved thirty feet, then took a five-foot step and did a touch attack for a spell. I just need to ask quickly if this is legal under the rules? Because since that comes to 35 feet total, I would say that it's definately a double-move action.

Thanks in advance for replying.

 

[Pax]

No.
A 5foot step is a free action only if you have not already moved that round.

The goblin in your story performed a double-move, and it's action was illegal under the rules. Not to mention grossly abusive. Move, cast a spell, then step and discharge?

You simply cannot do that.

As GM, I might allow a spellcaster with Spring Attack to do that, but, absolutely noone else.

 

[Glyfair]

.
A 5foot step is a free action only if you have not already moved that round.

Taking it even further. A 5 ft. step is only a free action if you don't otherwise move in that round. So, no trying the 5 ft. step, making a standard action and following with a move action.

Glyfair of Glamis

 

[Dark Jezter]

No.
A 5foot step is a free action only if you have not already moved that round.

The goblin in your story performed a double-move, and it's action was illegal under the rules. Not to mention grossly abusive. Move, cast a spell, then step and discharge?

You simply cannot do that.

As GM, I might allow a spellcaster with Spring Attack to do that, but, absolutely noone else.

Actually, he didn't cast the spell that round, he only discharged it. Still, thanks for answering my question and telling me that it was, indeed, a double-move.

 

[Dr. Zoom]

What you describe is a double move. However, the goblin could have accomplished this by charging you, although he would be more vulnerable for a round. So your DM made a rules error with how the goblin closed the distance, but the goblin still could have attacked you with the touch attack by charging.