The Ready action?

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

UlgarrRedsplee

Jul 24, 2015 21:43:55

I apologize if this is trivial, but when the errata says "You have until the start of your next turn to use a readied action." this means "anytime before the start of your next turn" not "anytime up to the start of your next turn, and the start of your next turn is the last chance to use it"? I was playing with some people at a local comic shop today, and there was someone there who was vehement it was the latter. Furthermore, the readied action applies to any action, so this applies to spells: You have until the start of your next turn to use a readied spell?

#2

Macv12

Jul 24, 2015 22:08:14

What is the trigger that could possibly go off at the instant the person's turn starts and not before?

#3

Nevvur

Jul 25, 2015 16:26:11

I can see a trigger that occurs immediately before your turn, but not at the start of your turn. For example, it's Jack, Jill and the Troll in that initiative order.

 

Jack: I attack the troll <rolls> Damn, a miss. Double damn, I have this flask oil! I'm going to throw it on him next round!

Jill: Okay, I'm going to Ready action to cast Fire Bolt on troll immediately after Jack throws oil at it.

Troll: Raargh! <rolls to attack, misses>

Jack: I throw my oil. <rolls> A hit!

Jill (reaction): My readied spell goes off, also a hit.

Jill: Now it's my turn. I cast fire bolt normally.

 

I suppose you could phrase the trigger with multiple conditions, DM permitting... "I ready action to cast magic missile at any opponent that closes to melee range with me, and at orc 3 if no opponents get that close before the start of my next turn" But again, that's specifically calling out 'before the start of my next turn.'

 

It would be helpful if you posted the exact circumstances. Which action or spell was readied, and how did he phrase the trigger? 

 

edit: It's also worth noting, if the DM is permitting him to use his readied action at the very start of his turn, then he has used his reaction for that round and will be unable to take another one until the start of his next turn.

 

 

 

 

#4

Danny_Montanny

Jul 26, 2015 9:12:06

Is it now their turn? If yes, they've lost their chance to use thier Ready action. If no, they haven't.

 

Also note, "I do a thing when this thing happens, or right before my next turn if it doesn't" would be complete bull. You set up one trigger, not more than that as some sort of fail safe to a non-existent thing as a "turn".

#5

Macv12

Jul 26, 2015 11:14:07

I guess what I was getting at is that the trigger has to be perceivable to the character. "As soon as my turn starts" isn't that. So I can't think when it would matter.

#6

Xeviat-DM

Jul 26, 2015 14:06:46

I'd allow it in tht first oil example. If there was a third pc between them, it wouldn't look like it was "just before their turn".

#7

Danny_Montanny

Jul 27, 2015 4:12:03

The biggest thing I would consider when a PC uses the Ready action is what they're trying to achieve. All they need to do is simply state their goal and approach (just like any other action) and the DM can adjudicate as nescessary. If they try to bring game terms into it, stop them, and ask them to simply state their goal and approach. "I try to shoot that guy with my longbow if he moves." If he doesn't move, you don't shoot him. If it's your turn again, enough time has elapsed for you to go, "well, he hasn't moved yet, maybe I'll do something else since he seems to not be moving."  You don't get to say, "I try to shoot that guy if he moves, but if he doesn't, I'll shoot him anyways before I do something else."

 

Thats the trade off you take when using the Ready action. You can set up something tactically, but it might not happen.

#8

Bloodscythe

Jul 27, 2015 9:15:20

I'm curious what the trigger was also...

 

"I want to attack the orc at the beginning of my next turn as a reaction" isn't a valid trigger.  Characters don't perceive turns.

 

It means "anytime before the start of your next turn."

 

[your turn][creature A's turn][creature B's turn][player B's turn][player C's turn]|      |[your turn]

[<---------------------------------one round------------------------------------------------------------>]|      |[the start of your next turn denotes the start of a new round]

#9

Greenstone.Walker

Jul 27, 2015 16:04:47

Danny_Montanny wrote:
#10

jbokcrusader

Jul 29, 2015 2:54:38

Greenstone.Walker wrote: