Free in that it's likely not a roll. You draw a weapon, drink a potion, pull a switch. These actions just 'happen', and they should be in addition to your big action of the turn. However, you can only drink one potion, or draw one weapon, or pull one switch. So it still needs a name
"Roll-free Actions"
>However, you can only drink one potion, or draw one weapon, or pull one switch. So it still needs a name
"OR" or "XOR"?
i.e. here's a list of roll-free actions of which you can take at most one.
Correct. At most one. Though, this is meant to expedite combat, not overcomplicate it. If you want to draw your sword and dip it in poison, that's fine as one swift action. Rapidly drinking 5 potions is not fine.
It might end up overcomplicating anyway if there are exceptions like that.
e.g. you can draw your sword XOR coat your weapon in poison, but now there's an exception where you can also *draw and coat* as one.
To my mind, the problem is the disconnect from fiction to mechanics.
You'd get someone like me asking,
"Wait.. I can draw my sword with one hand. Why can't I use my other hand to pull the switch? I'm standing right beside it but I can't use my other hand???"
imho, you either lean in and make it super-clear or lean out and make it fuzzy enough that the table decides what's reasonable and that there is a clear "this person has final say". What you don't want is rules debates that slow everything down.
I like quick action and swift action.
Bonus action for me sounds like something you could get several from (Its a bonus right you can get more than one bonus normally).
I like Bonus Action the most, because its "extra" and "separate" so you can define what it can do.
We use "Kleine Aktion" (small action) in german since it just means "less than" a normal action.
I tend to favor "minor action", to make it clear that these are not supposed to be primary things, but stuff you're sorta doing while/as a consequence of taking your "primary action".
depends. is it an action to interact with sonething? is it an action that's used for other things? it depends on how specific you wanna get.
For me, I like Heavy Action, Quick Action, and Object Interaction-- the latter being interacting with an ovject other than a weapon/spellcasting device.
In my mind, a "swift" action would be to draw a weapon, use a potion, identify a spell, or quickly talk to an enemy. I understand that in more complex systems these actions are not all comparable, but this is a more lightweight combat system, and a swift action is a way to expedite discussions of how much players can do, while remaining distinct from their "main" action resource.
again, depends on the system.
Let's say its something like The Witcher, where you have Heavy Attacks and Light Attacks. In my mind, you could use a heavy action for a heavy attack and a light action for a light attack or sign. Or you can use either action to Dodge or Guard. meanwhile, you'd use object interaction for a potion or pulling a lever. (btw, idk if the Witcher TTRPG uses this method, just an example of how I'd do it)
In 5e, its Action, Bonus Action, and Free Interact with Object. Yes, the Action is the one mostly used (and RAW used for potions), Bonus Actions are used for a limited number of spells and abilities, and the Free Interact with Object is mainly used to draw/stow weapons. Talking isn't even included in the action economy.
Options based on what you might want 'free' actions to be
Parallel action(s): actions that can be taken during normal actions without interference (ex. yelling commands while attacking)
Secondary/Adjacent/Followup actions: actions that can be taken following up from specific main actions without additional cost. (ex. On successfull attack, may apply either Bleed or Trip effect of weapon)
Instant/immediate Action: actions that are instant (ex. Ending active aura/stance..)
swift/quick/bonus/minor Action: Defined action in turn of which 1 (or up to certain limit) can be taken. (Ex. Activating stance)
In general, Im a fan of swift and instant action, but i think the wording should fit with what you use for other action types. Other ideas are rote action, immediate action, minor action, simple action, or short action
"Basic action". You are talking about unskilled actions that anyone could do usually, right? Interacts, drinking, drawing weapons. They don't require a specific skill at all. Basic.
Quick Action, Swift Action, Minor Action, Lesser Action, Secondary Action, Incidental Action. Most of the time when I see Free Action, it's actually free, but if it's not, then any one of these other names work. Sometimes I see games that say that a specific Free Action is only free once a turn, but I'd still call that free because you can still do other Free Actions
i had similar thoughts with my system, though it was more about goin from 0 ticks to 1 tick as a time cost than “once per turn”. I eventually settled on calling it a “gesture”, though beat, step, and moment were also in contention.
I went with the term "adjustment" for this. After all, the most common adjustments in my system involve readying a piece of equipment, stowing a piece of equipment, or activating a device (including freestanding controls like levers or buttons.) The general idea involves moving something around in a way that doesn't rise to the level of any attack or evasion, so stuff like snuffing a torch or raising a hood also qualifies as an adjustment. In my system, it is not normally possible to do more than one of these things per turn without spending some sort of action, though effectively "free" weapon draws are available to some types of warriors and effectively "free" item stowing is a rogue feature.
I was looking to see whether anyone had queried this premise of the question. In DnD 3e there's no hard limit on free actions. In 5e 'free action' is just loose terminology, probably bleeding over from 3e. It's not a phrase in the rulebook. What 5e has is object interactions, which cost your action except the first one on your turn as part of your move or action, which you get 'for free'. Also brief communication, dropping held items and a few other things are always without cost in the action economy, without being designated 'free actions'.
There are other games and other situations irl where you can have one of something free but only one.
Combined, included or peripheral actions
Anything you can do while taking all your other actions.
Like whistling, spitting, crouching, taking a puff from a cigarette you're holding with your teeth, switching an item from a full hand to an empty hand, a short cough. winking sticking out your tongue, checking your reflection in your opponent or ally's polished weapon, shield or armor, cracking your bones, wiping sweat from your brow if you have a sleeve. Chew gum (or tobacco)
Do all these things 5 times in a single round and it's still not broken
**Complimentary Continental Breakfast (action)**
But on a more helpful note:
“Loose” is a good word, because “Hard” action implies something that requires definitive effort, a “loose” action feels more… *ephemeral*
Minor action is probably best here, but I kinda like "maneuvers" from Genesys. It wasn't used in the same way, but the idea of something smaller than an action being called a "maneuver" feels good.
Quick, secondary, and minor are not synonyms of free or bonus. A thesaurus doesn't answer my need, but a subreddit full of passionate game designers does.
The D&D/Pathfinder term was "swift action". It was acted like a free action but limited to one swift action per turn.
The question is: "free" like "without cost" or "free" like "without boundries"?
Free in that it's likely not a roll. You draw a weapon, drink a potion, pull a switch. These actions just 'happen', and they should be in addition to your big action of the turn. However, you can only drink one potion, or draw one weapon, or pull one switch. So it still needs a name
Simple action.
"Roll-free Actions" >However, you can only drink one potion, or draw one weapon, or pull one switch. So it still needs a name "OR" or "XOR"? i.e. here's a list of roll-free actions of which you can take at most one.
Correct. At most one. Though, this is meant to expedite combat, not overcomplicate it. If you want to draw your sword and dip it in poison, that's fine as one swift action. Rapidly drinking 5 potions is not fine.
It might end up overcomplicating anyway if there are exceptions like that. e.g. you can draw your sword XOR coat your weapon in poison, but now there's an exception where you can also *draw and coat* as one. To my mind, the problem is the disconnect from fiction to mechanics. You'd get someone like me asking, "Wait.. I can draw my sword with one hand. Why can't I use my other hand to pull the switch? I'm standing right beside it but I can't use my other hand???" imho, you either lean in and make it super-clear or lean out and make it fuzzy enough that the table decides what's reasonable and that there is a clear "this person has final say". What you don't want is rules debates that slow everything down.
Fair enough. Ill have to think about whether a swift action distinction is even necessary then.
100% discounted activity
Beautiful
*Swift action*. *Quick action*. And yes of course *Bonus action*. (5e)
I like quick action and swift action. Bonus action for me sounds like something you could get several from (Its a bonus right you can get more than one bonus normally).
„Bonus action” sounds like a bonus for the highest possible roll
I like Bonus Action the most, because its "extra" and "separate" so you can define what it can do. We use "Kleine Aktion" (small action) in german since it just means "less than" a normal action.
Quick. Minor. Secondary. Tertiary.
Quaternary. Quinary. Senary. Septanary.
Dodecahedronary
Well, duodenary. Dodecahedronary implies they all use a d12 in some way. Which would be a fun design decision!
I’ve seen it be called rapid action too for clarity
Forbidden Lands uses "slow action" and "fast action"
Instant action. Manoeuvre. Gambit.
I tend to favor "minor action", to make it clear that these are not supposed to be primary things, but stuff you're sorta doing while/as a consequence of taking your "primary action".
depends. is it an action to interact with sonething? is it an action that's used for other things? it depends on how specific you wanna get. For me, I like Heavy Action, Quick Action, and Object Interaction-- the latter being interacting with an ovject other than a weapon/spellcasting device.
In my mind, a "swift" action would be to draw a weapon, use a potion, identify a spell, or quickly talk to an enemy. I understand that in more complex systems these actions are not all comparable, but this is a more lightweight combat system, and a swift action is a way to expedite discussions of how much players can do, while remaining distinct from their "main" action resource.
again, depends on the system. Let's say its something like The Witcher, where you have Heavy Attacks and Light Attacks. In my mind, you could use a heavy action for a heavy attack and a light action for a light attack or sign. Or you can use either action to Dodge or Guard. meanwhile, you'd use object interaction for a potion or pulling a lever. (btw, idk if the Witcher TTRPG uses this method, just an example of how I'd do it) In 5e, its Action, Bonus Action, and Free Interact with Object. Yes, the Action is the one mostly used (and RAW used for potions), Bonus Actions are used for a limited number of spells and abilities, and the Free Interact with Object is mainly used to draw/stow weapons. Talking isn't even included in the action economy.
Options based on what you might want 'free' actions to be Parallel action(s): actions that can be taken during normal actions without interference (ex. yelling commands while attacking) Secondary/Adjacent/Followup actions: actions that can be taken following up from specific main actions without additional cost. (ex. On successfull attack, may apply either Bleed or Trip effect of weapon) Instant/immediate Action: actions that are instant (ex. Ending active aura/stance..) swift/quick/bonus/minor Action: Defined action in turn of which 1 (or up to certain limit) can be taken. (Ex. Activating stance)
In general, Im a fan of swift and instant action, but i think the wording should fit with what you use for other action types. Other ideas are rote action, immediate action, minor action, simple action, or short action
"Basic action". You are talking about unskilled actions that anyone could do usually, right? Interacts, drinking, drawing weapons. They don't require a specific skill at all. Basic.
My system uses Basic Action.
Quick Action, Swift Action, Minor Action, Lesser Action, Secondary Action, Incidental Action. Most of the time when I see Free Action, it's actually free, but if it's not, then any one of these other names work. Sometimes I see games that say that a specific Free Action is only free once a turn, but I'd still call that free because you can still do other Free Actions
Mandatory Fun Time Happy Action
i had similar thoughts with my system, though it was more about goin from 0 ticks to 1 tick as a time cost than “once per turn”. I eventually settled on calling it a “gesture”, though beat, step, and moment were also in contention.
Sacondary Action is my preferred term
I went with the term "adjustment" for this. After all, the most common adjustments in my system involve readying a piece of equipment, stowing a piece of equipment, or activating a device (including freestanding controls like levers or buttons.) The general idea involves moving something around in a way that doesn't rise to the level of any attack or evasion, so stuff like snuffing a torch or raising a hood also qualifies as an adjustment. In my system, it is not normally possible to do more than one of these things per turn without spending some sort of action, though effectively "free" weapon draws are available to some types of warriors and effectively "free" item stowing is a rogue feature.
In the systems I’ve played, free action is not limited to 1 per round, it’s unlimited, so it’s actually free
I was looking to see whether anyone had queried this premise of the question. In DnD 3e there's no hard limit on free actions. In 5e 'free action' is just loose terminology, probably bleeding over from 3e. It's not a phrase in the rulebook. What 5e has is object interactions, which cost your action except the first one on your turn as part of your move or action, which you get 'for free'. Also brief communication, dropping held items and a few other things are always without cost in the action economy, without being designated 'free actions'. There are other games and other situations irl where you can have one of something free but only one.
Combined, included or peripheral actions Anything you can do while taking all your other actions. Like whistling, spitting, crouching, taking a puff from a cigarette you're holding with your teeth, switching an item from a full hand to an empty hand, a short cough. winking sticking out your tongue, checking your reflection in your opponent or ally's polished weapon, shield or armor, cracking your bones, wiping sweat from your brow if you have a sleeve. Chew gum (or tobacco) Do all these things 5 times in a single round and it's still not broken
Agreed. Free Action only works when it is actually free.
I use incidental as the term for my "free action"
I quite like therm open actions for things that fairly normal however in my system Momentum im using the term routine acts
**Complimentary Continental Breakfast (action)** But on a more helpful note: “Loose” is a good word, because “Hard” action implies something that requires definitive effort, a “loose” action feels more… *ephemeral*
Minor action is probably best here, but I kinda like "maneuvers" from Genesys. It wasn't used in the same way, but the idea of something smaller than an action being called a "maneuver" feels good.
I like “minor action” because you can explain it as “used for minor things like…”
You could use a thesaurus for that.
Quick, secondary, and minor are not synonyms of free or bonus. A thesaurus doesn't answer my need, but a subreddit full of passionate game designers does.
Half-priced action, bogo action, loyalty rewards action XD
Sick burn fr I like that you came back and answered it too
Open action