Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Nevvur Sep 11, 2014 4:36:47	I'm a DM preparing to run 5th with a group of friends, just wanted to say I love the new edition and I think we're going to have a great time with it. I did a lot of house rules when I ran 4e, and I'll probably do the same with 5th. Of course, I don't want to break the game in the process, so here's a quick question about readying an action.   Do you allow for multiple possible triggers in your groups? The RAW seem to suggest a singular event causes the specific reaction, i.e. If the orc hits the fighter, I cast healing word on the fighter. And so the action is wholly wasted if the orc does not hit the fighter. I know the argument, that's the risk you take with readying an action. But would you allow a player to call a trigger with multiple conditions, like If the orcs hits the fighter, I cast healing word on the fighter, but if the orc misses, I cast Command on the orc.    I haven't used the following house rule yet, but I am planning on implementing it for our group.   A player may ready an action with one trigger as normal. She may declare additional conditions to trigger different reactions during that round, but she can only react to one trigger. Adding a second trigger lowers the player's initiative in the following round to immediately after the creature who triggered the action (as opposed to immediately before, with only one trigger). A third condition may be added, but the player goes last in the next round regardless of his previous initiative.
#2 xtianstone Sep 11, 2014 5:09:48	I would only have one spell on a condition, but maybe a few triggers that are related "I cast sleep if any goblin comes through that door, or if orcs charge from our left flank".   Otherwise, have them refoc their initiative and move after the fighter.  They can determine their action based on the status of the fighter each round.   I did implement the delay action in my game.  They can "delay" and be completely out of initiative.  If they want back in, they just say so, and they will go after the next creature/player who has a complete turn. If they want back in during the fighters turn, they will actually enter after the creature who comes after the fighter.
#3 Captain_Kobold Sep 11, 2014 12:43:02	Remember that when you ready a spell, you are actually pre-casting it and holding its energy. (Which is why it needs concentration.) Thus I wouldn't allow options to use different spells, although possibly different options for casting the spell that you're readying.   It sounds like what the cleric is trying to do in your second example is delay their go and decide on what they do after the orc has acted.
#4 obsid Sep 12, 2014 15:46:30	Also remember that you are not required to cast the spell when the trigger is activated.  You can have your tigger be "someone attacks a party member" and then when the orc or something else attacks your party member you decide if you wish to trigger the reaction, or wait for something else.
(Reply to #4) 2Chlorobutanal	That's true, you're not required to cast spell, the but the spell slot is used when you decide to Ready - if you don't cast the spell, the spell slot is essentially "wasted" for the day or rest.
(Reply to #5) Nevvur	Sorry, I didn't have the PHB on hand when I wrote the OP. It's quite clear how the rules regarding Ready Action with a spell are meant to work. Incidentally, the situation I described was me attempting to be as vague as possible, and the problem I have is more with martial types -- just seems like they could react more fluidly than a magic user concentrating on spell casting. I think adding Delay Action as xtianstone described is a step in the right direction, not even sure why they omitted it from 5th.   Anyway, thanks for your time and thoughts, everyone! Think I'll forego the house rule I proposed and just stick with a Delay Action option for now.