Shifty and Double Moves

[galaga88]

So page 284 of the PHB specifies that if you take two move actions in the same round, you have to double-move, which means both move actions have to be the same type.

How does this work with the kobold ability "shifty" which lets them shift as a minor action?

Could a kobold move action to get close, standard action to attack, and minor action to shift away, or would all their movements have to be shifts?

 

[Nifft]

Shifty isn't a move action, it's a minor action (which allows a form of movement).

A kobold can indeed walk up to you, stab you in the face, and then shift away 1 square.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Palladion]

Could a kobold move action to get close, standard action to attack, and minor action to shift away, or would all their movements have to be shifts?

You answered your own question. The kobold is not taking two move actions to shift, but a move and a minor action to shift each action.

Double move (PH 284) is a benefit because you add your movement together before moving (this is important for difficult terrain), you are not forced to take both move actions together as a double move.

 

[galaga88]

That's what I suspected, thanks.

 

[dmcallis]

Well, given that we are talking kobolds, wouldn't that be "stab you in the knee"? The guys are shifty little critters, but still small...

Shifty isn't a move action, it's a minor action (which allows a form of movement).

A kobold can indeed walk up to you, stab you in the face, and then shift away 1 square.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Danceofmasks]

But I am a gnome!

 

[On Puget Sound]

Then you should be safe; they won't stab a fellow MONSTER!!

 

[Hypersmurf]

So page 284 of the PHB specifies that if you take two move actions in the same round, you have to double-move, which means both move actions have to be the same type.

Not quite - it says if you do take the same move action twice in a row, it's a double move.

It doesn't forbid me from shifting (move action) and then running (standard action used for a second move action)... but if I do, it isn't a double move.

This is important for the "Occupied Squares" and "Difficult Terrain" reasons mentioned on p284. If I shift then run, I can't end the first part (the shift) in an ally's square. If I run then run, I can, because the end of the first run is actually the middle of a double move.

-Hyp.