Caltrops [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Caltrops [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
bruiserdeck
10-01-06, 11:46 PM I play a ranger and love to use caltrops.

My GM is not sure if using caltrops is a free action (just droping them like a weapon) or if it is a standard action (you actually have to scatter them a bit) OR if its an action like drawing a weapon (its a standard action that can be done while you move)

I thought i saw it in the rules someplace and they used caltrops as an example of an action but we are not sure which one. any one know?
Loki5654
10-02-06, 12:08 AM Wow, it disturbs me that I can't immediately find any solid ruling on caltrops.

But if "Light A Torch" is a Standard Action (that provokes) then I'd say "Dump Caltrops" should be one, too.
SiouLubb
10-02-06, 10:25 AM Standard action, I say. There should be a special magic belt pouch that allows you to dispense them as a swift action. Perhaps a character with the Quick Draw feat would be able to scatter them with a swift action?
jaelis
10-02-06, 10:33 AM Move action to get them out, standard action to spread. I'd let you get them out like drawing a weapon if you have the sack on your belt or something.

It would be nice if the description spelled that out, but it seems to be the clear generalization from the general rules for using objects.
tarkin
10-02-06, 10:51 AM I would agree with Jaelis.
Chrono Nexus
10-02-06, 10:58 AM Caltrops are the strangest mundane item I have ever seen, mechanically. I've always thought it was strange that the caltrops can make an attack role...
Jaelis seems to have hit the mark.
Thorn_Monk
10-02-06, 01:18 PM Standard action, I say. There should be a special magic belt pouch that allows you to dispense them as a swift action. Perhaps a character with the Quick Draw feat would be able to scatter them with a swift action?

I've always wanted to create a magic bag of caltrops that would both automatically spread them AND retrieve them after use (like a vacuum cleaner :) ). I'd make it at least a move action though, more likely a standard action. It would be a great item or casters and archers.
Loki5654
10-02-06, 04:17 PM I've always wanted to create a magic bag of caltrops that would both automatically spread them AND retrieve them after use (like a vacuum cleaner :) ). I'd make it at least a move action though, more likely a standard action. It would be a great item or casters and archers.
Prestidigitation creates the effect you want. And its cheap, too!
Iver Gearsham
10-02-06, 04:29 PM I put my caltrops in a scroll tube it keeps handy in a hard case so no poky points in a "Bag" get through to me just pop a lid and shake out like Carpet Freshener. IMO that arrangement makes it a Move action.
Dheran
10-02-06, 10:00 PM Here's a possible way to spread your caltrops as a free action (once you've got the container in hand): combine it with a Tumble across the ground you're covering. Your spinning movement should strew the caltrops randomly behind you in the square in which you drop them. This only helps if you're going to be moving through the square you want to cover, of course. And you've still got to get the container out. Still, I can see some tactical uses.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
bruiserdeck 10-01-06, 11:46 PM	I play a ranger and love to use caltrops. My GM is not sure if using caltrops is a free action (just droping them like a weapon) or if it is a standard action (you actually have to scatter them a bit) OR if its an action like drawing a weapon (its a standard action that can be done while you move) I thought i saw it in the rules someplace and they used caltrops as an example of an action but we are not sure which one. any one know?
Loki5654 10-02-06, 12:08 AM	Wow, it disturbs me that I can't immediately find any solid ruling on caltrops. But if "Light A Torch" is a Standard Action (that provokes) then I'd say "Dump Caltrops" should be one, too.
SiouLubb 10-02-06, 10:25 AM	Standard action, I say. There should be a special magic belt pouch that allows you to dispense them as a swift action. Perhaps a character with the Quick Draw feat would be able to scatter them with a swift action?
jaelis 10-02-06, 10:33 AM	Move action to get them out, standard action to spread. I'd let you get them out like drawing a weapon if you have the sack on your belt or something. It would be nice if the description spelled that out, but it seems to be the clear generalization from the general rules for using objects.
tarkin 10-02-06, 10:51 AM	I would agree with Jaelis.
Chrono Nexus 10-02-06, 10:58 AM	Caltrops are the strangest mundane item I have ever seen, mechanically. I've always thought it was strange that the caltrops can make an attack role... Jaelis seems to have hit the mark.
Thorn_Monk 10-02-06, 01:18 PM	Standard action, I say. There should be a special magic belt pouch that allows you to dispense them as a swift action. Perhaps a character with the Quick Draw feat would be able to scatter them with a swift action? I've always wanted to create a magic bag of caltrops that would both automatically spread them AND retrieve them after use (like a vacuum cleaner :) ). I'd make it at least a move action though, more likely a standard action. It would be a great item or casters and archers.
Loki5654 10-02-06, 04:17 PM	I've always wanted to create a magic bag of caltrops that would both automatically spread them AND retrieve them after use (like a vacuum cleaner :) ). I'd make it at least a move action though, more likely a standard action. It would be a great item or casters and archers. Prestidigitation creates the effect you want. And its cheap, too!
Iver Gearsham 10-02-06, 04:29 PM	I put my caltrops in a scroll tube it keeps handy in a hard case so no poky points in a "Bag" get through to me just pop a lid and shake out like Carpet Freshener. IMO that arrangement makes it a Move action.
Dheran 10-02-06, 10:00 PM	Here's a possible way to spread your caltrops as a free action (once you've got the container in hand): combine it with a Tumble across the ground you're covering. Your spinning movement should strew the caltrops randomly behind you in the square in which you drop them. This only helps if you're going to be moving through the square you want to cover, of course. And you've still got to get the container out. Still, I can see some tactical uses.