Should swapping weapons cost actions? Is it worth tracking what is in your hands?

[Lanefan]

Dropping a simple weapon and pulling out something else (wand, potion, another weapon) should usually be free if the item is halfway accessible.

A more complex change such as going from sword-and-shield to bow, however, should take enough time that one might think twice. Ditto for switching from spellcasting to melee and vice-versa. Maybe not full-round actions, but close.

Trying to sheathe (as opposed to simply drop) a weapon and draw another should take a bit of time but not much - easily managed by knocking a set number off your initiative (say, 3 or 4 in a d20 init. system).

Lanefan

 

[Hassassin]

Depends on what actions there are. If there is a minor action, drawing a new weapon should take one of those. Otherwise once/round free is fine, or any number within reason if you spend a standard action.

 

[tuxgeo]

Drawing weapons generally should take some time, yes.

Keep the "Quickdraw" feat in the game, for characters who will need to be able to draw a weapon or an item as part of the action of using it.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

It should not cost actions, but rather delay your initiative by one.