Just how specific with a Ready action?

[daemonslye]

Drawmack -

Thanks for the pointer - I did read the passage but it
was not initially clear in the reading how specific you
must be regarding the partial.

Read my latest example above. The partial action
readied is a "partial charge". However the conditions
for trigger contain an "OR" statement. Is this correct?
I don't see it clearly laid out.

Thanks for your help with this.

~D

 

[Avatar28]

I agree that (to an extent) the more general the better.

For instance,

"I will wait here and attack the first enemy that comes through the door."

"I will watch for anyone trying to cast a spell at us and attempt to counterspell it."

"If one of them makes a hostile move, I shoot him with my bow."

"If he starts casting a spell, I jump into this hole."

Those all seem valid readied actions to me. In each case, it's an trigger that can be recognized in a split second and you respond immediately.

 

[daemonslye]

Thanks Avatar28,

From the SRD:

...Specify the partial action a character will take and the conditions under which it will be taken. When those conditions are met,

To clarify (the sound of a stick striking an ex-equine here),
the question is how complex can the TRIGGER be?

Your example #2 does not specify a target or direction.
Will that work? Same with #3 (what if you are surrounded?).

Can you specify - for example: "If one of the three scruffy
types we have surrounded attempts to run OR draw a
weapon, I stick him with my spear but NOT if he simply talks
to us (I don't like the "if he moves, I kill im" ready action)".

Another example - "If Hedrack the BadGuy starts to cast a
spell or moves away, I (partial) charge him and attack".

~D

 

[Drawmack]

The criteria for a valid readied action again to recap
1) Single area or opponent?
2) Single action or MEA?
3) Easily decided?

Sorry I misread that one, so yes then #2 does meet the requirements for a redied action but neither #1 nor #3 do.

"I will wait here and attack the first enemy that comes through the door."

"I will watch for anyone trying to cast a spell at us and attempt to counterspell it."

"If one of them makes a hostile move, I shoot him with my bow."

"If he starts casting a spell, I jump into this hole."

#1 does meet all three criteria and is a valid readied action
#2 unless all the adversaries are in front of you this would not work as it does not specify an area that you are watching.
#3 again, only works if all the adversaries are in front of you.
#4 again, only works if all the adversaries are in front of you.

I allow any character to activly watch 180 degree area for a readied action. Here is a formula I give to my players to help them prepare a readied action

Just remember you must ready an partial action against a specific action happening in a single area, or by a single opponent. It is that simple.

 

[0-hr]

Note that you do not need to specify your movement explcitly. You can add a 5ft step or partial charge in as needed, at the time the ready action goes off. If you say "If X, I will attack", that allows for possible movement with the attack action.

As far as your obsession with boolean logic, my first bit of advice would be to try and relax a little. It's the intention, not the syntax, that matters. A person has to be able to percieve a trigger, make a decision, and take action very quickly in order for it to be a readied action that can interrupt what someone else is just starting to do.

If conditions started getting complicated, I would throw in a SenseMotive check in order for the player to actually do something in time, but that's just me.

 

[daemonslye]

Thanks Ki Ryn - I guess there is nothing that is really
firm on this one.

I was trying to get some consensus on ways to use the
Ready action to effectively fight spell casters.

As a spell caster, if an opponent seems to be watching
you, and does not have a missile weapon ready, it is logical
to move away before using a spell. However, the
opponent is prepared for this occurance and charges you
before you can move too far away.

The goal is to keep the caster from casting a spell -
item use is fine, but spells are generally much more
powerful at mid to high levels.

Depending on how this is ruled, it could be very
effective. That is why I am so interested.

Your average DM that does not have much experience
with Ready actions may rule more restrictively because
they have not dealt with all of the nuances of the actions.
These posts help generate a thought process that may
help said DM adjucate the action.

~D