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

[Felnar]

would you allow the same solution if the scenario was an archer shooting at you?

 

[Henry]

By the rules, the targeting happens as the spell comes into effect, so no dodging fireballs by readying. However, if was charitable as DM, I'd probably allow it. At the least, require an action point or what have you, so people weren't using it as a magic-defeating tactic all the time.

 

[Nifft]

By the rules, the targeting happens as the spell comes into effect, so no dodging fireballs by readying.

So when does Counterspelling happen?

-- N

 

[QuaziquestGM]

Counterspell:
1)
Ready Action to counterspell

2) Oppossing caster starts to cast

3) While observing the components used at the start of the opponent's spell, make a spell craft check (free action).

4) If the spellcraft check is sucessfull, you may counter spell, but only if you have the same spell that the opponent is casting prepared or otherwise availible. You cast a modified version of the same spell to cancel the opponent's.

In general, if it usually better to ready action to fireball the opposing fireballer "just as he finishes". Then he gets hit by your fireball, which detonates his own....

As for the OP....You should have called that you were readying an action to claim the cover bonus from your horse on the reflex save vs the fireball. Otherwise, I would check the ride skill for some way to weasle out of getting cooked...

 

[Woas]

Well.... the spell takes a standard action, which is ~3 seconds time if you assume a standard and move together = 6 second round.
So a fireball would move 400ft + 40 ft/level in 3 seconds vs. a horses 50/60ft move action in 3 seconds. And since if, by the rules you wanted to blast an enemy with a fireball, it takes the same amount of time for the fireball to detonate whether the enemy is 400+ ft or 2 ft away. The fireball is moving what... (quick tab over to Google Calculator) 91 miles per hour!

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

However, I would allow a player to ready an action to move behind cover, assuming there was cover near by to move behind, if they saw the spellcaster begin to cast a spell (however it would trigger regardless of what the spell being cast actually was). But not specifically ready an action against "fireball bead".

 

[Sammael]

Cinematic or not, by RAW, it doesn't work, since the game does not define a time period between the moment when the fireball pellet leaves a caster's fingers and the time it detonates - which means it's effectively instantaneous. Since there is another fire-based spell, flaming sphere, which does have a defined speed, I have to presume that the lack of such information for fireball is intentional.

As per RAW, I believe it is possible to ready an action to move when the caster begins casting the spell, since this is permissible by RAW (i.e. you can ready to interrupt or counterspell). The casting itself takes one standard action, which is supposed to be a fraction of the 6-second combat round.

Extrapolating from the above, I'd house-rule that it is not possible to ready actions against spells with a casting time of "1 swift action" or "1 immediate action," or that it requires an opposed Initiative check or something.

Ad hoc, if the character were adjacent to something which could provide cover, I may allow him to use his readied action to dive for cover (with a successful Tumble or Jump check, whichever he prefers - or, in your case, a successful DC 15 or 20 Ride check).

 

[Delta]

Definitely a Rules question -- it's been discussed there before.

I wouldn't allow it. Getting a free attack-avoidance for a rules loophole is not something I'd reward. Maybe +2 on saving throw or something is appropriate.

 

[Aus_Snow]

I wouldn't allow it. Getting a free attack-avoidance for a rules loophole is not something I'd reward. Maybe +2 on saving throw or something is appropriate.

Ha! I was just about to post that that is the kind of way I tend to rule, as GM, for many things (such as the forementioned arrow, f'rex) - I am of the opinion that readying a response to an event or situation, and doing little or nothing else simultaneously, should be useful, in terms of game mechanics. It's not always a +2 bonus, but that's not a bad place to start, at all - and could even be interpreted as being suggested by the basic core 'fiat' rule of circumstantial modifiers. IMO.

I also apply the same fundamental logic to such things as aiming shots over (how ever many) full rounds, within limits of course.

 

[Quartz]

Well, here are the events in my mind:

1. Wizard aims and fires
2. Fireball travels from wizard to target
3. Fireball reaches its target and explodes

I wanted to move after 1, before 3

No can do. Step 2 is near-instantaneous.

I think what you want is to spot where the wizard is aiming (Spot check), then use your readied action to move away.

And the wizard should be able to oppose your Spot check with a Bluff check to fake you out.

In general, if it's a reasonable move, especially one that's cool and cinematic, you should have a chance of doing it.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

Should this be in rules, or perhaps house rules?

RAW, I don't think it's OK. It doesn't work for an arrow either. However, I'd happily allow a bonus to the reflex save for someone who wants to ready an action to get out of the way.

It should work for an arrow.

If you have initiative over an enemy with a bow you could easily ready an action to "move behind cover if he prepares to shoot at me". When the enemy's action comes up you can interrupt him with your readied action to move behind total cover thus making his attack worthless.

As long as your initiative is better than the person attacking you, your character should be able to move out of the way either during your initiative or by interrupting the enemy. Either way you are acting before they do which is the benefit of a higher initiative. This is why "Improved Inititiative" is worth taking as a feat.

Definitely a Rules question -- it's been discussed there before.

I wouldn't allow it. Getting a free attack-avoidance for a rules loophole is not something I'd reward. Maybe +2 on saving throw or something is appropriate.

I'd allow it... but as a DM I'd also allow my NPCs to do the exact same thing if they have initiative. As long as both the PCs and NPCs can do it then neither has an advantage.