Readied Actions

[Morgruumsh Toothgrin]

I was curious what other DM's were ruling when it came to the specificity of a ready action.

The examples in the DM's guide are simple If-Then statements and are VERY specific (i.e. If the Ogre steps out of the cave then I will shoot him with my crossbow.).

What if a player wanted to take a more open ended readied action? What if a Bard, for instance, wants to take a ready action like this, "If the wizard starts to cast a spell then I will attempt to disrupt it using the most efficient method I can." A ready action like this would theoretically allow the bard to:

a) Counterspell it, if he successfully spellcrafts the spell and has the proper spell to do so.

b) Fire his composite shortbow made for stregnth (say he doesn't have the proper spell or fails to spellcraft it).

or

c) Casts a Silence spell (he doesn't have the proper counterspell and doesn't think his damage will be enough to disrupt).

By the way C works wonders against a majority of spellcasters (Those who have no resistance and are using a spell with verbal components are SOL).

Would you, as a DM in your campaign, allow a more open ended ready action such as this, or would you require a specific action be declared?

Why am I asking this question? I don't think ready actions to counter spells are used enough. No one can predict the future - it makes it somewhat pointless to try . . .

 

[kreynolds]

What if a player wanted to take a more open ended readied action? What if a Bard, for instance, wants to take a ready action like this, "If the wizard starts to cast a spell then I will attempt to disrupt it using the most efficient method I can." A ready action like this would theoretically allow the bard to:

a) Counterspell it, if he successfully spellcrafts the spell and has the proper spell to do so.

b) Fire his composite shortbow made for stregnth (say he doesn't have the proper spell or fails to spellcraft it).

or

c) Casts a Silence spell (he doesn't have the proper counterspell and doesn't think his damage will be enough to disrupt).

I would allow such a readied action, but when the trigger occurs (i.e. the wizard starts casting), the bard must choose A, B, or C. Once chosen, that's it. I wouldn't allow the bard to attempt A, but if he fails on his spellcraft, then attempt B. You get one option. That's it.

 

[Philip]

I would allow it. I generally expect a player to either detail the condition or the action. If the conditions is very detailed, I allow some leeway on the action side and vice versa, for example:

Broad Condition: When any enemy starts casting a spell.
Detailed Action: then I shoot at that enemy with the crossbow I am holding.

Detailed Condition: When Wizard X starts casting a spell.
Broad Action: Then I am going to try an disrupt or foil that spell.

 

[NPC]

I prefer my players to be very specific with their readied actions.

Examples:

I ready an action to shoot him with my crossbow if the wizard begins casting.

I ready an action to counter spell if the wizard begins casting. (I don't require the player to state which spell).

I ready an action to cast a silence spell if the wizard begins casting.

I think "the most efficient way I can" is a bit too open ended and I don't think I'd allow that in a game I DM.

 

[Henrix]

The way I prefer it there can be no alternatives. The conditions cannot be too complex.

A readied action is something you do very fast, without time to think the situation through, IMO.

 

[S'mon]

I prefer my players to be very specific with their readied actions.

Examples:

I ready an action to shoot him with my crossbow if the wizard begins casting.

I ready an action to counter spell if the wizard begins casting. (I don't require the player to state which spell).

I ready an action to cast a silence spell if the wizard begins casting.

I think "the most efficient way I can" is a bit too open ended and I don't think I'd allow that in a game I DM.

I agree with this, I wouldn't allow it. The readied action needs to be specific, not a general held action. The circumstances that prompt it can be as general or detailed as the player desires - if general there's the risk they accidentally shoot the wrong guy coming through the door or whatever.

 

[Pax]

if general there's the risk they accidentally shoot the wrong guy coming through the door or whatever.

You are not REQUIRED to use that action when it is triggered; you can choose to ignore that trigger, and wait for the next one. You can give a pass, and stillhold your action ready.

 

[S'mon]

You are not REQUIRED to use that action when it is triggered; you can choose to ignore that trigger, and wait for the next one. You can give a pass, and stillhold your action ready.

Oh, I'd give them a Spot check or somesuch not to shoot the guy. You must understand that I am a DM of the old school (1e DMG) - ie a rat bastard DM, as you call us Gygaxians.

 

[Pax]

Oh, I'd give them a Spot check or somesuch not to shoot the guy. You must understand that I am a DM of the old school (1e DMG) - ie a rat bastard DM, as you call us Gygaxians.

That's not a 1E-fostered attitude, that's a "DM against the players" flaw. The rules, however, are clear: they state you MAY take the readied action one the trigger occurs. May, not must. Can, not have to.

FWIW, I started playing with 1E as well; I wish I still HAD the old WOG'83 boxed set ... which was about the fourth RPG product I ever bought (right behind 1E PHB, DMG, and MM). I was already DMing (somewhat ineptly, perhaps -- what do you want, I was in junior highschool and highschool ) over a half-decade before 2E hit the scene. And I recall that even THEN, DMs who were that excessively literalist were considered annoying as all get-out.

 

[Magic Slim]

The reason complex ready actions shouldn't be allowed is that you have little precious time to accomplish your readied action when the trigger occurs.

The bard needs to see the wizard cast in order to make a spellcraft check. The wizard has to have almost finished casting his spell for the bard to identify it and thus counter it. If the bard doesn't have the proper spell available, then, it's too late. The bard can't shoot the wizard with his shortbow, since the spell has already been cast.

MS (not to be confused with Master Scorn)