Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Zougla 04-30-07, 04:20 AM	According to the PHB, a character can take a single 5ft step when he/she doesn't perform any other kind of movement in that round. This is a "no action" type of... action... So, is it possible for example, for a spellcaster, to take a 5ft step, cast a standard action spell and then do nothing else in that round? My question really is: "Can someone use the 5ft step, even though he/she has a move action left and is able to move normally?" I was thinking that maybe a spellcaster can use the 5ft step to constantly move out his foe's reach, so that he can cast normally and not on the defensive, instead of leaving a threatened square with normal movement and thus provoking an attack of opportunity. I guess not but... Thanks :)
WinDReiN 04-30-07, 04:56 AM	"Can someone use the 5ft step, even though he/she has a move action left and is able to move normally?" Ofcourse you can. You are allowed one free, move & standard action in a round and can combine them in any way you want, except one: You can't combine actual movement & 5ft step. That way everyone would move 5 ft more. You can combine a ''move equivalent action'' that isn't actual movement with a 5ft step. You don't have to use them all in a round(actions), you can make a 5ft step and stand still if you want to. Hope that helps.
Nom 04-30-07, 06:34 AM	You are allowed one free, move & standard action in a roundActually, you are allowed any number of free actions subject to you being able to take them and the DM's discretion. Note also that the 5 ft. step isn't even a free action; it's a special allowance over and above any actions you take. So yes, it's perfectly legal to keep stepping out of your foe's reach to cast. Of course, this assumes that (1) they don't surround you or trap you against a wall or difficult terrain and (2) you can survive multiple melee full attacks (unlikely) and (3) they don't ready an action to strike you if you cast or try to move normally.
Zougla 04-30-07, 06:43 AM	Thanks people... I always thought that casters where "constantly" casting on the defensive, but it's one of those few cases I am glad I was wrong... :P
WinDReiN 04-30-07, 06:57 AM	You are also allowed one full-round action in a round, + no. of free actions allowed by the DM. Beware of creatures with reach, even if you move 5ft away from them, they can still reach you...
runestar 04-30-07, 08:26 AM	That is why a spiked chain is so annoying - you are still being threatened even after moving 5-ft away. Does anyone have any good suggestions for using the spare move action? Only extraordinary concentration comes to mind at the moment. I am trying to see how I can maximize a caster's no.of actions each round.:)
Garonak 04-30-07, 08:59 AM	Draw weapon, fish out a potion (of course most adventurers will have a potion belt so fishing out a potion is a free action), draw wand, reload crossbow, do anything in preparation for the next round.
penchant 04-30-07, 09:21 AM	the 5foot step is also a vital tactic for all archers, and for the same reason.
mugguod 04-30-07, 10:09 AM	According to the PHB, a character can take a single 5ft step when he/she doesn't perform any other kind of movement in that round. This is a "no action" type of... action... So, is it possible for example, for a spellcaster, to take a 5ft step, cast a standard action spell and then do nothing else in that round? My question really is: "Can someone use the 5ft step, even though he/she has a move action left and is able to move normally?" I was thinking that maybe a spellcaster can use the 5ft step to constantly move out his foe's reach, so that he can cast normally and not on the defensive, instead of leaving a threatened square with normal movement and thus provoking an attack of opportunity. I guess not but... Thanks :) I think the terminology use in the PHB is that you can't take a 5ft step in the same round that you take a move action that moved any distance like walking 20feet, climbing 10feet, flying 60feet etc. You could (but are not required to) take any other move action (reload a crossbow, stand up, sit down, draw a weapon, put away a weapon, drink a potion...) In short, of course you can take a 5ft step then cast a spell (to avoid the AoO) you just can't retreat any farther. And your opponent only needs a 5ft-step on his turn to re-engage, and therefore can make a full-round attack, and won't himself provoke AoOs for following you.
Steevo 04-30-07, 11:30 AM	So, is it possible for example, for a spellcaster, to take a 5ft step, cast a standard action spell and then do nothing else in that round? My question really is: "Can someone use the 5ft step, even though he/she has a move action left and is able to move normally?" You are allowed to take a 5ft step provided you do not take any other movement during your turn. "Any other movement" is typically interpreted to mean any action that involves leaving the square you began the turn in. If you cast a spell as a Standard action and elect not to use your Move action at all, then you have not taken any other kind of movement, and therefore may take a 5ft step. You could also use your Move action for any kind of move equivalent, such as digging around in your backpack, drinking a potion, drawing/sheathing a weapon, etc. (Some of those may provoke their own AoO however, so I'm not necessarily saying it's a good idea.) You can also take the 5ft before using either your Standard and/or Move action, you are simply binding yourself not to make any other movement actions that turn with whatever actions you have left.