Love or Hate: Immediate Actions?

[Creamsteak]

I originally thought that immediate actions were a great idea, in the same way that interrupts are often important. Immediate actions were somewhat similar to readied actions or attacks of opportunity, but they opened up the door to various other types of action. They made sense to me, and they filled a potential play gap.

However, after using them, I dislike them. I feel like the products that introduced them added far too many. I also find that they are slowing down otherwise simple combat, and making things much more difficult to run. While I liked what they were supposed to do, I felt they detracted from the game rather than added to it.

So, poll.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

Their potential and good points have thus far outweighed any complications for me. I've been known to describe them as "like readying, but more efficient". In my next game, action points will be able to be used to grant immediate actions.

 

[EricNoah]

Love them. There's a lot of stuff that is already of this nature (making a saving throw -- you get to try to avoid the effect even when it isn't your turn) and I think it just makes for a more dynamic combat. Also encourages players to pay attention when it isn't their turn.

 

[WhatGravitas]

Love them. There's a lot of stuff that is already of this nature (making a saving throw -- you get to try to avoid the effect even when it isn't your turn) and I think it just makes for a more dynamic combat. Also encourages players to pay attention when it isn't their turn.

It breaks up the artificial order of initiative: You can actually react to stuff, instead of just doing your turn in order. Or: The fun of tick-based combat with the simplicity of round-based combat.

I wish AoO would go, replaced by some kind of immediate attack action.

Cheers, LT.

 

[pawsplay]

Generally love them, but despite most immediate spells.

 

[Jarrod]

Love them. That said...

My biggest problem with immediate actions is that it has slanted the game more towards the spellcasters - arcane in particular. With spells like Ruin Delver's Fortune (and worse, Celerity) it gets _very_ difficult to actually hit a prepared caster. I wouldn't mind this as much if the counters were more spread out across classes, but they aren't. This promotes a "I can do it, you can't" mentality.

Immediate actions: they're the new Knock.

 

[pawsplay]

It breaks up the artificial order of initiative: You can actually react to stuff, instead of just doing your turn in order. Or: The fun of tick-based combat with the simplicity of round-based combat.

I wish AoO would go, replaced by some kind of immediate attack action.

Cheers, LT.

Maybe some kind of system where you got an immediate attack if someone left your threatened area, or made an unarmed attack, or otherwise lowered their defenses.

 

[Creamsteak]

My issue is mainly with the spells as well, though I'd also include the book of nine swords stuff under the title of "spells."

 

[Creamsteak]

Diaglo's vote just hit me so hard I'm on the ground.

 

[Psion]

I like them. It makes the thought of always having to anticipate when you need you defenses a bit less daunting if you have a few things you can throw up in a hurry. As a GM, it leaves me room to plan things a bit more dynamically because I have to worry less about trashing the group if I hit them without all their buffs up.