Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 UlgarrRedsplee Jul 15, 2015 15:56:03	Hi, I'm completely new to dungeons and dragons, and I recently picked up some books for 5th edition. I was looking through the Player's handbook when I came across the section "Actions in Combat" and I was wondering.. Do you announce them, like saying "I take the Attack action" or "I take the Search action" or is it something thats more implied, like you would say "I attack with my battle axe" or "I search for (insert thing here)". The reason I ask, if for things like the Extra Attack feature for the fighter allows you to make more then one attack for the attack action, so I'm wondering if youd say "I take the Attack action, and I have the extra attack feature so I can attack twice" or just kinda say what you do for the sake of staying in character? Thanks alot guys
#2 iserith Jul 15, 2015 17:28:14	You don't have to announce the specific mechanics or rules when taking actions, but you can if you want to. It's probably not a bad idea to do so when learning the game as a group.   Whenever possible, I recommend "beginning and ending with the fiction." That way, you're always leading with storytelling and then ending with it (and someone else then picks up where you left off). For example, you might say, "I sweep my sword overhead then into a downward stroke. I'm taking the Attack action. I try to plunge my blade into the prone orc." This is the active approach to roleplaying. If you say "Ragnar sweeps his sword... Ragnar tries to plunge his blade..." then that's the descriptive approach to roleplaying. Either are fine as far as it being roleplaying, but some groups prefer one over the other or are fine with a mix of both.
#3 UlgarrRedsplee Jul 15, 2015 16:21:11	Why thank you, that is very helpful advice
#4 Eothain Jul 15, 2015 17:46:21	I agree with iserith, just make sure you make clear when you're using a non limitless resource during a fight.   Attack action is limitless, a fighter can't run out of them, but Extra Attack does. If your DM is new, or you are, or both, better to make it clear. Once you've used it, you can mark it somewhere on your sheet or on a notepad (i like this option better, that way no dirty sheet)
#5 Imaculata Jul 16, 2015 0:05:07	Similarly, you can say "I search the room for traps", or "I search the room for secret doors", or "I give the sexy waitress a wink, and order more wine". Its up to you how colorful you want to get with your descriptions. And don't feel restricted to just describing actions and attacks either. Because you can also take free actions (Such as flipping an enemy the bird, or calling the Mindflayer an ugly squid head).   Taking an action does not have to suspend all roleplaying. You can have dialogue with the rest of your party, or other characters while you are taking an action. You can charge into combat while unleashing a battle cry, or sink your axe into the body of your foe while yelling a clever one-liner.
#6 Danny_Montanny Jul 16, 2015 8:52:31	Hopefully you and your DM know the mechanics well enough that you don't have to mention them too often. Your DM knows your 5th-level Fighter has the Extra Attack feature (or should). If you want to do something that might be out of the ordinary. "I try to rip that guy's arm off." Then it's up to the DM to adjudicate how they think the situation would go, possibly asking for any rolls that might apply.   Just remember, when taking an action, you want to state your goal an how you want approach it. "I want to try to hurt that guy (goal) by hitting him with my axe (approach)." Not saying you have to specifically say that, since some goals are implied when you state the approach, and vice versa.
#7 Coredump00 Jul 16, 2015 8:47:32	When you declare what you are doing, it is usually pretty obvious which Action you are taking.
#8 bawylie Jul 16, 2015 11:51:37	The actions themselves exist to keep pace an enforce taking turns. They don't "matter" except as a sort of limit on what you can reasonably accomplish 'on your turn.'   You could, and will eventually, play without reference to the rules or action economy. But to start off, generally just be aware that each person gets to move some amount and then do something. If they've moved and done a thing, then probably their turn is over and it's someone else's turn.    If you're the DUngeon Master and the player tells you they want to kill the Orc with their axe, then you make note they've got to move up to the Orc and attack. Once that's resolved, you move on.    Try not to think of Actions In Combat as a comprehensive list of what you're allowed to do. It's more like, "this stuff comes up and you should know about it, but it's not everything and people will try crazy stuff, so here's some guidelines."
#9 Imaculata Jul 17, 2015 0:26:50	I've seen situations on roleplaying forums, where players would try to do a rediculous amount of things in one turn. This is why we have these rules. Players can do anything they want in their turn, but they can't do everything they want. This is to make sure that Jared the Thief doesn't dive into the tavern with a backflip, throws a bunch of daggers at the villains, drinks a pint of ale, and then cartwheels out the door, all in one round.   You don't have to specifically state which game mechanic you are using. Most of the time, it is clear from your wording what you mean. If I say "I swing my sword at the orc's chest, and then again at its legs", then it is pretty clear that I'm making two attacks. I don't have to literally say "I use my two attacks on the orc". -You can, but you don't have to.
(Reply to #9) Yunru	Imaculata wrote:
#11 Imaculata Jul 17, 2015 6:21:16	Hahaha! I have seen players try to get away with it, honest. Sometimes the players would even narrate their own success, and the defeat of the villains. Thats taking it a bit far, hehe.
#12 iserith Jul 17, 2015 9:14:04	bawylie wrote: