Activating magic item as a swift action [Archive] - Wizards Community

Activating magic item as a swift action [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Elfremi
12-03-05, 08:03 AM I'm currently in a debate with my DM over the use of swift actions (introduced in the Complete series I believe). In the Complete Adventurer, it states that activating a magic item is considered a swift action. According to my DM, the PH states that it's a standard action to activate a magic item. Since swift actions have only recently been introduced, would the PH rules supercede the Complete Adventurer?
tarkin
12-03-05, 12:14 PM Please give a page number for that Complete Adventurer rule. It sounds very very wrong. Activating a magic item should be a Standard action, unless otherwise stated. I suspect that it instead says something like "Activating a continuos item's power is a Swift action" or "using a Use activated item's power is a Swift action".

Besides the PHB is the core book that over-rides the Complete Adventurer for most things.
Loren Pechtel
12-05-05, 12:31 AM IIRC there are a couple of items in there that activate as swift because they contain swift spells.

I would have no problem with activating items as a swift action--it's just *VERY* expensive. If you want an item to activate as swift then it's powers need to be swift. Either made from inherently swift spells or else made from quickened spells.

Want a bit of extra punch in combat? Lets make the fighter a ring of magic missiles. When triggered it throws 5 missiles at the indicated target as a swift action. It's useable 1/day and costs 16,200 gp. The wizard version of this (it requires Magic Missile to be on the spell list) goes for a mere 13,500 gp. Obviously you can get more uses/day by multiplying the cost by the times/day you want it to work.

By the time you can afford it it's simply not that useful.
Elfremi
12-05-05, 06:50 AM The text I'm referring to is on page 137 of the Complete Adventurer. It is kind of vague though, so I guess the PHB does take precedence. Oh well! :) Thanks for the answers guys.
Radijs
12-05-05, 07:24 AM The text you referred to:
"Swift actions usually involve spellcasting or the activation of magic items; many characters never have the oppertunity to take a swift action."

I've marked the important word here "involve" So its said that swift actions are often caused because of spellcasting or use of magic items. This doesn't make activation a swift action.
tarkin
12-05-05, 11:42 AM Yes, you reversed a set category.

Just because all presidents of the US have been men does not mean that all men are US presidents.

Similarly, just because most swift actions involve casting spells or activating magic items, does not in any way mean that all spells or magic item activation are swift actions.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Elfremi 12-03-05, 08:03 AM	I'm currently in a debate with my DM over the use of swift actions (introduced in the Complete series I believe). In the Complete Adventurer, it states that activating a magic item is considered a swift action. According to my DM, the PH states that it's a standard action to activate a magic item. Since swift actions have only recently been introduced, would the PH rules supercede the Complete Adventurer?
tarkin 12-03-05, 12:14 PM	Please give a page number for that Complete Adventurer rule. It sounds very very wrong. Activating a magic item should be a Standard action, unless otherwise stated. I suspect that it instead says something like "Activating a continuos item's power is a Swift action" or "using a Use activated item's power is a Swift action". Besides the PHB is the core book that over-rides the Complete Adventurer for most things.
Loren Pechtel 12-05-05, 12:31 AM	IIRC there are a couple of items in there that activate as swift because they contain swift spells. I would have no problem with activating items as a swift action--it's just VERY expensive. If you want an item to activate as swift then it's powers need to be swift. Either made from inherently swift spells or else made from quickened spells. Want a bit of extra punch in combat? Lets make the fighter a ring of magic missiles. When triggered it throws 5 missiles at the indicated target as a swift action. It's useable 1/day and costs 16,200 gp. The wizard version of this (it requires Magic Missile to be on the spell list) goes for a mere 13,500 gp. Obviously you can get more uses/day by multiplying the cost by the times/day you want it to work. By the time you can afford it it's simply not that useful.
Elfremi 12-05-05, 06:50 AM	The text I'm referring to is on page 137 of the Complete Adventurer. It is kind of vague though, so I guess the PHB does take precedence. Oh well! :) Thanks for the answers guys.
Radijs 12-05-05, 07:24 AM	The text you referred to: "Swift actions usually involve spellcasting or the activation of magic items; many characters never have the oppertunity to take a swift action." I've marked the important word here "involve" So its said that swift actions are often caused because of spellcasting or use of magic items. This doesn't make activation a swift action.
tarkin 12-05-05, 11:42 AM	Yes, you reversed a set category. Just because all presidents of the US have been men does not mean that all men are US presidents. Similarly, just because most swift actions involve casting spells or activating magic items, does not in any way mean that all spells or magic item activation are swift actions.