Readying Outside of Combat

[jeffman]

I'm sorry for the basic "uninteresting" question.

I know that you cannot ready an action outside of combat.

However, the only rules quote I can find from the SRD (referring to readying and delaying) is:

Here are ways to change when you act during combat by altering your place in the initiative order

Is there anything more explicit, such as "you cannot ready outside of combat"?

Thanks

 

[jeffman]

Type-fu

Doh!

I typed reading instead of readying!

My type-fu is weak tonight

 

[Hypersmurf]

DMG p26:
"Don't allow players to use the ready action outside combat."

-Hyp.

 

[jeffman]

Rule #0?

So, is it okay for DMs to ready outside of combat?

 

[frankthedm]

'Readying' outside of combat is handled by the surprise round only being a standard action. You get the drop on someone, your ready kicks off. What is even better, you get to choose that standard action when you perform it.

 

[argo]

Or if a surprise round wouldn't be appropriate you could also give a circumstance bonus to Initative for those characters who are "ready".

 

[jeffman]

I agree with everything that has been said and thank you for it.

However, I was looking for a more direct rules quote to convince my DM this is true.

There may not be one, and I will simply show him this thread and the above mentioned quotes.

 

[TheGogmagog]

More direct than this?

DMG p26:
"Don't allow players to use the ready action outside combat."

-Hyp.

 

[Rhun]

More direct than this?

As the OP pointed out...that quote only disallows the players from doing it. It says nothing about the DM doing it.

 

[Artoomis]

As the OP pointed out...that quote only disallows the players from doing it. It says nothing about the DM doing it.

Oh, please. That's just silly. NPCs don't get NPC-specific actions in the rules. They get the same action options as PCs.

edit.. But, of course, the rules don't PROHIBIT a DM from doing ANYTHING he/she wants. After all, who's running your game?