Should you be able to dodge a fireball by readying an action?

[Patlin]

I'd adjudicate as follows:

1. Mage activates fireball wand.
2. Readied action triggers, character moves.
3. Fireball is targeted and launched.

If you're the only target of the fireball, not much use. If you are surrounded by friends, though, you can scatter and limit the number of targets within the same AOE.

 

[Pyrex]

So, in your game, would it be possible to react to where a fireball is headed and move out of the way? Maybe still require a reflex save, but give the person evasion for the round?

We'd allow it in our game with the following:

1) Your readied action needs to be more specific: "Ready an action to move out of range when he casts a spell including me in it's area."

2) You'd need to succeed at a DC 15+SL (i.e., 18 for a Fireball) to determine what the wizard was casting and where he was casting it so you would be able to move out of the way.

 

[Lord Zardoz]

Yes

This is something I would allow a player to do. However, I would require an opposed roll of some sort. However, this does require some judgement calls.

I would say that for spells requiring a line of effect in addition to a line of sight, and manifest an observable physical effect, you can use a readied action to get out of the way. I would ask for an opposed initiative roll between the caster and the target(s). Here is how I would do it.

- Based on current positioning, the caster positions the target point of his spell.
- Do an initiative check between the Caster and anyone using a readied action to avoid the effect.
- Each person who beats the caster may take their readied action to move.
- Casters effect goes off damaging anyone still in the area of effect
- Anyone else who was a bit slow on the uptake may now move.

I could see this working out for Fireball, Lightning Bolt, Burning Hands, and most other spells that generate areas of effect. I would not let this work for spells that specifically target an object or person. I would also let it work against missile attacks, though rather than cause a miss chance, I would grant the moving target a 4 point Dodge bonus to their AC.

END COMMUNICATION

 

[frankthedm]

RAW, I don't think it's OK. It doesn't work for an arrow either.

You sure? Ready looks flexible enough to cover it unless the DM vetoes the ready action. You declare your ready for when the firebead is coming or the arrow is released. Against the archer it is actually easier, a diagonal 5' adjust will take you out of the arrow's path, possibly putting you in threat with the archer, extra good if your ready was an attack action. Againt the fireball it will take 20' of movement to be safe.

You can ready a standard action, a move action, or a free action. To do so, specify the action you will take and the conditions under which you will take it. Then, any time before your next action, you may take the readied action in response to that condition. The action occurs just before the action that triggers it. If the triggered action is part of another character’s activities, you interrupt the other character. Assuming he is still capable of doing so, he continues his actions once you complete your readied action.

 

[Mistwell]

You can ready an action to cast shatter at the first arrow shot at you, and shatter is a standard action. And you can ready an action to move away from a charging foe. So why can't you ready an action to move away from a fireball you know will be shot at you? Doesn't seem to violate RAW to me.

Readying an Action: You can ready a standard action, a move action, or a free action. To do so, specify the action you will take and the conditions under which you will take it. Then, any time before your next action, you may take the readied action in response to that condition. The action occurs just before the action that triggers it. If the triggered action is part of another character’s activities, you interrupt the other character. Assuming he is still capable of doing so, he continues his actions once you complete your readied action.

 

[Anguish]

What you're really asking the DM to grant you is: from the moment my character determines that the wizard is casting a fireball and the kernel travels far enough my character determines the epicenter of that fireball, but before the fireball erupts, can I please make my horse travel at least 40ft in a direction that takes me out of the blossom?

Does this sound reasonable?

It's like readying a 5-foot step to avoid an incoming arrow. What about readying a 5-foot step to dodge an incoming magic missile? What about readying a 5-foot step to avoid a melee attack?

There's a reason why AoO and readied actions effectively go off before the action that prompt them. Simultaneity. Yes, you 5-foot, but the ogre adjusts his melee attack, the sorcerer's magic missiles still consider you their target, and the arrow is still targeted at your (new) square. Similarly, the wizard gets to pick his actual target after your readied movement is done.

 

[frankthedm]

Apparently the fireball can travel 400 ft. or more faster than a horse can move 40 ft.

600 feet actually.

 

[mvincent]

What you're really asking the DM to grant you is: from the moment my character determines that the wizard is casting a fireball and the kernel travels far enough my character determines the epicenter of that fireball, but before the fireball erupts, can I please make my horse travel at least 40ft in a direction that takes me out of the blossom?

I don't believe most of us assume the underlined part.

Does this sound reasonable?

In a fantasy game? Heck yeah.

What about readying a 5-foot step to dodge an incoming magic missile?

Magic missiles are kinda like heat seekers... stepping aside may not help.

 

[Fifth Element]

You sure? Ready looks flexible enough to cover it unless the DM vetoes the ready action. You declare your ready for when the firebead is coming or the arrow is released. Against the archer it is actually easier, a diagonal 5' adjust will take you out of the arrow's path, possibly putting you in threat with the archer, extra good if your ready was an attack action. Againt the fireball it will take 20' of movement to be safe.

Here's the problem:

The action occurs just before the action that triggers it.

Therefore the readied action (movement) occurs just before the triggering action (casting the fireball). The time between the spell being completed and the fireball going off is not an action.

 

[Mistwell]

What you're really asking the DM to grant you is: from the moment my character determines that the wizard is casting a fireball and the kernel travels far enough my character determines the epicenter of that fireball, but before the fireball erupts, can I please make my horse travel at least 40ft in a direction that takes me out of the blossom?

Does this sound reasonable?

Oh come on he is not really saying that. They wizard is going to aim for him. He's really asking to interrupt the wand use action to move, and not to move after the wand action is completed...just like all readied actions.