Standing up from crouching a free or ME action?

[Dimwhit]

I don't think there is a rule anywhere that says "crouching" is a MEA or the same as being prone. Or even sitting. In fact, I don't think "crouching" ever comes up. I would consider it the same as "taking cover" behind the low wall. Doing that isn't a move at all, to my knowledge.

The Sorcerer should be able to do that. There's no reason not to. I would consider it a 5' move, then a free action to go back down.

 

[Jai Kel]

To me, all of this is covered with the existing rules for Cover and Attack Roll Modifiers on PHB p.132. What you're describing is basically "kneeling behind a low wall" as discussed at the bottom of p. 132. I know in the initial post it was stated that crouching was different from kneeling, but the character would still basically get the +7 Cover AC Bonus since we're talking about the degree of cover as further discussed on that page.

Trying to figure out if the character can stand up, sit down, or fight-fight-fight just adds an unnecessary degree of complexity to the situation.



P.S. All of this reminds me of X-COM: UFO Defense. I loved that game. However, unlike X-COM, there's no cumbersome accounting of "action points" to be considered at the gaming table...

 

[TuDogz]

I've seen people run crouched behind walls. I've yet to see a prone person run. Prone and crouched aren't the same.

But what happens if the MM is not maximized or as Dimwhit said a 5 foot step to pop out of cover and a free action to take cover. Now you've got a guy popping in and out of cover casting singe action or full round spells without any of the enemies getting a shot at him unless they have readied actions.

Seems like there should be a feat equivelant of shot on run/spring attack/ride by attack for casters to make what is essentially a broken movement possible.

 

[Dimwhit]

Now that it's mentioned, rather than let the Sorceror stand up, cast a full-round, and go back down, I would just give him 75% cover or something for using the wall the shield him. Since he has to get up to cast, he will be exposed during the round. I think that's why the cover/concealment rules are there--for just this situation.

So those are my "revised" thoughts.

 

[Zaruthustran]

There's only two kinds of cover in 3.5: "cover" and "total cover". Cover gives a +4 bonus and total cover means you can't be targeted. Gone are the days of 1/4 cover, or 9/10 cover, or whatever.

So in the situation above, I'd give the sorcerer his +4 cover bonus and allow him to cast. If he wanted to drop prone behind the wall, then he has total cover but he can't cast.

Since "crouching" isn't covered in the rules I just assume that a character always crouches, leans, stands sideways, or does whatever else is necessary to get the most benefit out of this cover. It all results in the same +4 cover bonus (or total cover).

Note that when a sorcerer uses a meta-magic feat on a spell that normally takes a standard action, the spell becomes a full round action. That means that the spell starts on his turn on round 1, and is completed *just before* his turn on round 2. Whatever that sorcerer does, he'll be a target from the end of his action on the first round until the start of his action on the second round.

-z

 

[Dimwhit]

There's only two kinds of cover in 3.5: "cover" and "total cover". Cover gives a +4 bonus and total cover means you can't be targeted. Gone are the days of 1/4 cover, or 9/10 cover, or whatever.

What?!?! I'd be interested to hear the rational behing that one.

 

[jodyjohnson]

Certainly puts Improved Precise Shot in a new perspective.

 

[Kershek]

Note that when a sorcerer uses a meta-magic feat on a spell that normally takes a standard action, the spell becomes a full round action. That means that the spell starts on his turn on round 1, and is completed *just before* his turn on round 2. Whatever that sorcerer does, he'll be a target from the end of his action on the first round until the start of his action on the second round.

-z

This is incorrect. A spellcaster casting a summon monster spell is under this limitation, but a sorcerer casting metamagic only needs to use the equivalent of a melee full attack action to cast and still have his 5-foot step.

 

[Anubis the Doomseer]

What?!?! I'd be interested to hear the rational behing that one.

Simplicity.

If you have a problem with it - join the growing line of people who want to kick Andy in the head.

- Ma'at

 

[ThirdWizard]

So arrow slits give you +4 AC? Or is there more that's being left out?