Swallow a potion as a free action

[Lord Pendragon]

Actually, the biggest argument against it, in my mind, would be breathing. During strenuous activity you're going to want to breathe through your mouth. Holding a potion in your mouth stops that.

I'm imagining that fighting a battle breathing through your nose would cause problems.

 

[James McMurray]

Except that most characters can hold their breath longer than most fights last (2 * constitution is a long time). Being able to breathe through your nose should help, perhaps ugrading it to 3 * constitution).

 

[Darklone]

Holding your breath is easy, but don't undergo strenuous activities... I'd be inclined to give a fighter who holds his breath during combat (silly idea, ask any swordfighter, especially the asian dudes with their breathing techniques) harsh penalties.

 

[James McMurray]

Except that breathing obviously orks different in the D&D universe, otherwise the average human wouldn't be able to hold his breath for 2 minutes, take a single breath, and hold it for two minutes more.

In fact, there are no rule differences (IIRC) between holding your breath in combat and holding your breath while meditating.

 

[Vahktang]

Did you want to allow this?

Well, yes, I did want to allow it, but I guess not any more.
Glad I asked.

In that same vein, can I make it so taking an item out of a Heward's Handy Haversack is a move equivelent instead of a free action?

Yeah, I know, you're the GM, do what you want, but what do the rest of you think?


More later,

Vahktang

 

[Caliban]

Well, yes, I did want to allow it, but I guess not any more.
Glad I asked.

In that same vein, can I make it so taking an item out of a Heward's Handy Haversack is a move equivelent instead of a free action?

Yeah, I know, you're the GM, do what you want, but what do the rest of you think?


More later,

Vahktang

In 3.5, taking an item out of a HHH is a move equivalent action (that doesn't provoke an AoO).

 

[Hypersmurf]

In that same vein, can I make it so taking an item out of a Heward's Handy Haversack is a move equivelent instead of a free action?

If you're playing 3.5, it already is...

-Hyp.

 

[Hypersmurf]

In 3.5...

Snap

-Hyp.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

In fact, there are no rule differences (IIRC) between holding your breath in combat and holding your breath while meditating.

I do not endorse using "common sense" in most instances involving the D&D rules. The game is made to create a gaming enviroment that approximates reality, not model it exactly.

However, where there are no rules, I do use my own version of sense to determine what is and is not possible. And that sense tells me that holding a potion in your mouth during combat isn't possible.

 

[Umbran]

And that sense tells me that holding a potion in your mouth during combat isn't possible.

There's an old maxim of gaming - Don't tell your players, "No, that won't work." Instead say, "That will be difficult."

The problem with this tactic, honestly, isn't the free action bit. The problem is that as written it allows you to prepare a potion ahead of time, and be sure that it will activate exactly when you want it to. Take away that surety (by applying a high-DC save or stat check to the attempt, for example) and you take away the surety, and most of the problem.