You get those extra attacks... When?

[Thia Halmades]

Back in 3.0, and into 3.5, I've heard two separate versions of how full attack is resolved. The first is as close to RAW as we can figure:

* When using Full Attack, you unload all attacks at once against your target, or exercise your abilities as much as possible.

The version I'm using, and I'm positive is an off shoot on what I read but has been in use now for so long that I've forgotten where it came from is this:

* When using Full Attack, everyone attacks in iteritive succession; i.e., a series of attacks that are resolved in initiative order after the first wave of attacks are completed. Everyone attacks on 18, 12 and 6. The chick on 12 is a 7th level fighter, who, after all actions are resolved, gets a second attack after 6, but before 18 goes again.

Takes a lot longer to explain, but that was the impression I'm left with. I didn't put this in House Rules because I'm trying to figure out what the RAW currently is, and this is the system that everyone has nodded sagely at so far. So I put it to you: What's right?

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

The second version you mention sounds more like 2nd Edition multiple attacks.

It is completely absent from 3E, where the first version is the way the rules work. In short, when it's your turn in initiative order, you may do everything you want to and have the actions to do immediately.

 

[Peter Gibbons]

* When using Full Attack, you unload all attacks at once against your target, or exercise your abilities as much as possible.

This is the "most correct" of the two options you present. I would take care with the "all attacks at once" language, however, since you actually make the attacks in order of highest-BAB to lowest, and can do things like take a 5-foot step between attacks.

 

[dcollins]

Takes a lot longer to explain, but that was the impression I'm left with. I didn't put this in House Rules because I'm trying to figure out what the RAW currently is, and this is the system that everyone has nodded sagely at so far. So I put it to you: What's right?

Your second option is how it was handled in 1st & 2nd Edition.
Your first option is how it is handled in 3.0 & 3.5 Edition.

 

[Thia Halmades]

My thanks! Look for my new thread "How on Earth is this magic item costed out?" coming up next!