Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Xeviat-DM Jun 10, 2015 14:10:48	Hello everyone! Part of me feels like the minor action was changed to the bonus action so that people didn't feel required to utilize it every single round, but it seems that feats or abilities which grant bonus action abilities seem to be the go to standard for abilities in this edition (in addition to reaction abilities). This has gotten me wondering if we could possibly add some kind of tiny, minor ability for everyone to use with their bonus action, so that characters who do not pick up a bonus action ability don't feel like they're waisting their potential.   Similarly, I know that opportunity attacks exist as a universal reaction, but maybe there could be another reaction for everyone? I'm venturing into a very big system change, but what if everyone had some kind of reaction defend ability? I think this would help players to feel like they're doing something active in their character's defense, it would make fights more dynamic, and it would even help further incentivize ganging up (since you'd only be able to defend against the first attack made against you). It would also help illustrate the vulnerability of unconscious and incapacitated targets.   I usually try to not make such vague posts, but the idea is burning so bright in my mind right now that I can't really work on it without other's input. I'm not worried too much on how it would effect the game without further modifiers, as I am more than willing to completely overhawl a system and add complexity if I think it makes the game better and more fair between characters.
#2 Tempest_Stormwind Jun 10, 2015 14:22:17	Xeviat-DM wrote:
#3 Xeviat-DM Jun 10, 2015 15:51:39	Oh yes, you understood me just fine. I fully understand the rules as they stand. I also know that there's been confusion at my table about the whole "you don't have a bonus action unless an ability gives you one, and then you only have one". That's really clunky compared to "you have a standard and a bonus action on your turn, a reaction once per round, and you can also move; movement can sometimes be spent for other effects".   As for keeping a hand free for item interactions, a lot of those I'd be fine done with a foot, a shoulder, or the weapon or weapon hand itself. Flipping a table over while you're holding a greatsword doesn't seem too hard, nor would simply changing your grip momentarily (but I know the debate that that has caused in another thread).   And yes, for reactions it would be something like parry or defensive duelist, but obviously weaker so those options are good. My group's Paladin is currently loving her Protector reaction, and she's the player who is usually paying the most attention to the table when it isn't her turn.   And I know unconscious and paralyzed characters already grant advantage and auto crits on attacks; I was grasping for something universal that would also be applicable to surprise attacks and being flanked. Advantage seems like too big of a thing to hand out for being flanked, though.
#4 Nevvur Jun 10, 2015 16:03:25	The DMG offers a couple universal bonus actions like tumble and overrun. I tried coming up with a bonus action tied to each skill that could be used in combat, but eventually abandoned the idea. One idea I liked but still never implemented was what I called "Combat Intuition."   Combat Intuition: Choose one target and make a wisdom (Insight) check as an action or bonus action, DC equal to the creature's intelligence. On a success, you can determine what action and movement it will take on its next turn.   Success didn't mean the opponent was locked  into this action/movement. If circumstances changed enough that the action/move was no longer tactically sound, the creature would change course. I also didn't reveal the precise details of every action. Combat Intuition might reveal the enemy is going to cast a spell, but not which spell. I might tell a player the creature will approach a certain PC with the intent to attack, but not exactly the space where it would end its turn.
#5 Xeviat-DM Jun 10, 2015 16:27:25	I missed that Overrun and Tumble were bonus actions ... Also, I think I might pick up your abandoned project, as that could prove very interesting (especially if a lot of abilities called for movement).
#6 Horwath Jun 11, 2015 2:38:49	Extra object interaction would be nice as universal bonus action. Or Run. You add your speed to your movement this round, but can't take reactions, all attacks have advantage against you and you have disadvantage on all dex saves and checks.
#7 Xeviat-DM Jun 11, 2015 19:17:26	That makes me think of a "run" action.