Slightly confused about UA action points

[just__al]

UA says you get 5+ 1/2 per level action points at each level

Are these cumlative? So if a first level character levels up without ever using any action points does that character now have 6 or 11 action points?

 

[iceifur]

UA says you get 5+ 1/2 per level action points at each level

Are these cumlative? So if a first level character levels up without ever using any action points does that character now have 6 or 11 action points?

Yes, action points are cumulative. As to the amount said character would have, it depends on whether or not you have the 1/2 points stack (remember, though, that you gain a flat 5 AP at 1st level according to UA). Here's a little chart (assumes the character never spends AP):

Example:
Level_______AP (stack)_______AP (no stack)
__1____________5_______________5
__2____________11______________11
__3____________17.5____________17
__4____________24.5____________24
__5____________32______________31
etc.

As you can see, 1/2 points stack up...but slowly. Hope it helps.

 

[Jack Daniel]

No, the half-points don't stack. You can't earn half an action point, because unlike, for example, skill points, you can't spend half an action point. You get 5 APs at level 1, and you earn 6 APs at level 2, 6 more APs at level 3, 7 more APs at level 4, etc, etc. And yes, these action points are cumulative, so if you never spend them, they just keep piling up -- but earning more is the only way to replenish them, since they go away forever once spent.

 

[drnuncheon]

No, the half-points don't stack. You can't earn half an action point, because unlike, for example, skill points, you can't spend half an action point.

Er. You can't spend half a skill point either. You might end up with a half rank because of doubled cost, but you're still spending a full skill point to get it.

J

 

[iceifur]

No, the half-points don't stack. You can't earn half an action point, because unlike, for example, skill points, you can't spend half an action point. You get 5 APs at level 1, and you earn 6 APs at level 2, 6 more APs at level 3, 7 more APs at level 4, etc, etc. And yes, these action points are cumulative, so if you never spend them, they just keep piling up -- but earning more is the only way to replenish them, since they go away forever once spent.

Yes, but a precedent for fractional points stacking can be found in the Monster Manual, namely in the average hp entries for monsters (average of 1d8 HD = 4, but the average of 2d8 HD = 9 -- thus the true average of 1d8 is 4.5). Even though there are no ways (that I know of) that a monster can lose half an hp, the half is still there...waiting for another half an hp to create a whole.

And, if nothing else, take into account the (optional) rules for fractional BAB and Save bonuses (UA p.73) as another foundation for stacking fractions.

No disrespect, just throwing in my pocket change .

 

[just__al]

Thanks guys. It wasn't entirely clear to me either way (reset or accumulate when levelling)

 

[rushlight]

Yes, but a precedent for fractional points stacking can be found in the Monster Manual, namely in the average hp entries for monsters (average of 1d8 HD = 4, but the average of 2d8 HD = 9 -- thus the true average of 1d8 is 4.5). Even though there are no ways (that I know of) that a monster can lose half an hp, the half is still there...waiting for another half an hp to create a whole.

Actually, that's not stacking, but a feature of the way you determine the average value of a die. The average value of a die will always end in a .5 - that keeps the average rolls correct. You'll notice that for 3d8 you'll find an HP of 13, not 13.5, so the .5 is rounded down. But if you didn't include that .5, the values of creatures with larger amounts of dice would be wrong.

 

[iceifur]

Actually, that's not stacking, but a feature of the way you determine the average value of a die. The average value of a die will always end in a .5 - that keeps the average rolls correct. You'll notice that for 3d8 you'll find an HP of 13, not 13.5, so the .5 is rounded down. But if you didn't include that .5, the values of creatures with larger amounts of dice would be wrong.

Valid point, but also notice that the average of 4d8 is 18, thus "stacking," as I call it, does occur. The fractional values are basically "phantom" points (which cannot be "spent") until the sum of the fractions is a whole number.

I understand the method for finding the average rolls of dice, and was using that feature as one way explain my point--the other being the chart in Unearthed Arcana that deals with the stacking of fractions found in the class progressions (cleric has a BAB of 3/4 * level, so a 9th level cleric technically has a BAB of 27/4, or 6 3/4; the fractions are just ignored until they equal or exceed a whole number).

Since the UA action points AND the UA system for adding fractional values are both optional, I say go for whatever works for you, just__al. Hope we helped!