So how many types of actions are there?

[Flexor the Mighty!]

I was looking in the FC and see a note about Swift and Immediate Actions. Where did these come from and do they eliminate the Free action? What do they add to the game and do they just give me the DM and my players more to keep track of?

 

[MadMaxim]

As far as I can remember, they first appeared in Miniatures Handbook. They don't eliminate the free action, but they're often used for spellcasting actions. A swift action is a one-shot free action (like a quickened spell) and an immediate action is an action that can be performed when it's not your turn (like featherfall). I don't think they're hard to keep track off, and it eliminates the need for the designers to write a free action that can only be taken once per round. Now they just write that it's a swift action to use certain things. I wasn't too keen on the idea in the beginning, but I can see their usefulness now.

 

[Mort]

I was looking in the FC and see a note about Swift and Immediate Actions. Where did these come from and do they eliminate the Free action? What do they add to the game and do they just give me the DM and my players more to keep track of?

I believe they were reintroduced into 3.5 in Complete Arcane.

Swift actions (as noted above) are free actions that can only be taken on your turn and only once per round. Quickened spells are actually swift actions - per complete arcane.

Imediate actions can be taken at any time, but still only once per round - If you use an immediate action before your turn you cannot use a swift or immediate action until the following round. This can get a little confusing but seems to work well in practice.

 

[diaglo]

As far as I can remember, they first appeared in Miniatures Handbook.

i thought they were also in the d02 Modern stuff too. or am i confusing them with the Star Wars books.

yeah, they have been around.

but the minis games have pushed them into the fantasy realm too.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

So what is the difference between Free Actions and Swift Actions?

So I can do a move action, a standard actions, a free action, and a swift action in one round?

 

[werk]

So what is the difference between Free Actions and Swift Actions?

So I can do a move action, a standard actions, a free action, and a swift action in one round?

Swift Action
A swift action consumes a very small amount of time, but represents a larger expenditure of effort and energy than a free action. You can perform only a single swift action per turn.
Immediate Action
An immediate action is very similar to a swift action, but can be performed at any time — even if it's not your turn.

So... the second question is yes. The first question, Free actions are a little less than a swift action, and immediate actions are swift actions that can be made outside of your turn.

Don't beat yourself up over this, they really only apply in certain situations, usually spell-casting.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

I think I'll just stick to the core actions if we get the 3.5 game going.

 

[werk]

I think I'll just stick to the core actions if we get the 3.5 game going.

That'll work fine most of the time, but these actions are getting used more and more in newer publications. If you are running close to core, not a problem at all.

It's really not a big deal, as it's not something that a character can just elect to do to get a freebie whenever they want. Some actions, like casting a feather fall spell, are just given a special action classification so they fit better.



I personally think it is product bleed, that is, interrupt and instant actions from magic the gathering worming it's way in a little bit. They see that mechanic working in MtG, so they think it'll help D&D. I think D&D is helped by less mechanics, not more.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

All these different actions is one of the things WotC needs to clean up in the next edition. It's too complicated for new players. Move action, full round action, standard action, free action, swift action, immediate action. It's far more complicated than it needs to be.

 

[ainbimagh]

More actions = more varied strategy = more customizable characters = more enjoyable games.

Removing actions = less strategy = less customizable characters = less enjoyable games.

Granted this is all in my own opinion, but removing the complexity to the game is akin to making everyone a 1st level commoner with 8 in all stats and unable to gain exp, one of the reasons I like DDM over SWM (complexity = excitement)