Actions in Combat

Table of Actions

Standard Action Attack of Opportunity Defensive
Attack (melee) No
Attack (ranged) Yes No
Attack (unarmed) Yes No
Activate a magic item other than a potion or oil No
Aid another Maybe Maybe
Cast an arcane spell (1 standard action casting time) Yes Yes, -5 penalty
Cast a divine spell (1 standard action casting time) Yes Yes
Channel Energy No
Concentrate to maintain an active spell No
Dismiss a spell No
Draw a hidden weapon (see Sleight of Hand skill) No
Drink a potion Yes Yes
Apply an oil Yes Yes, -5 penalty
Escape a grapple No
Feint No
Light a torch with a tindertwig Yes Yes, -5 penalty
Lower Spell Resistance No
Read a Scroll Yes Yes, -5 penalty
Stabilize a dying ally (see Heal skill) Yes Yes, -5 penalty
Total defense No
Use an extraordinary ability No
Use a spell-like ability Yes Yes
Use a supernatural ability No
Move Action Attack of Opportunity Defensive
Move Yes No
Control a frightened mount Yes Yes, -5 penalty
Direct or redirect an active spell No
Draw a weapon No
Load a hand crossbow or light crossbow Yes Yes, -5 penalty
Open or close a door No
Mount/dismount a steed No
Move a heavy object Yes Yes, -5 penalty
Pick up a light item Yes Yes
Pick up a heavy item Yes Yes, -5 penalty
Sheathe a weapon Yes Yes, -5 penalty
Stand up from prone Yes Yes
Ready or drop a shield No
Retrieve a stored item Yes Yes
Full Round Action Attack of Opportunity Defensive
Full attack No
Charge No
Deliver coup de grâce Yes No
Escape from a net Yes Yes, -5 penalty
Extinguish Flames No
Light a Torch Yes Yes, -5 penalty
Load a heavy crossbow or repeating crossbow Yes Yes, -5 penalty
Lock or unlock a weapon in a locked gauntlet Yes Yes, -5 penalty
Prepare and throw a splash weapon Yes No
Run Yes No
Use a touch spell on up to six allies Yes Yes, -5 penalty
Withdraw No
Free Action Attack of Opportunity Defensive
Cease concentration on a spell No
Drop an item No
Drop to the floor No
Prepare spell components to cast a spell No
Speak No
Swift Action Attack of Opportunity Defensive
Cast a quickened spell No
Immediate Action Attack of Opportunity Defensive
Cast feather fall No
No Action Attack of Opportunity Defensive
Delay No
5-foot step No
Action Type Varies Attack of Opportunity Defensive
Perform a combat maneuver Yes No
Use a feat Varies Varies
Use a skill Usually Usually

New Actions

Defensive Action

Any action that is not an attack or movement that provokes an attack of opportunity can be made as a defensive action (Bull rush counts as an attack). When you make an action as a defensive action, you do not provoke an attack of opportunity from one opponent you can see. Any opponent you can not see, or any opponent threatening you who is not the one opponent you select to defend your action from is still granted an attack of opportunity against you. You must succeed a defensive combat maneuver check against the offensive combat maneuver DC of the opponent from whom you are defending, plus any relevant modifiers in order to successfully complete the defensive action. For example, if you are casting a spell as a defensive action, you must add the level of the spell you are casting to the offensive combat maneuver DC of the opponent. The DM may add other modifiers depending on the difficulty of the action you are trying to accomplish defensively (any action that requires both hands has a +5 added to the DC automatically). If you fail the defensive combat maneuver check, you fail the action you attempted to take defensively (you fumble the object you were trying to pick up, you drop whatever you were trying to handle, you lose the spell you were trying to cast, etc.).
Any move action that can be taken as a defensive action becomes a standard action when taken defensively.
Take a defensive action whenever you are willing to risk failing to complete the action for the sake of not dropping your guard to your opponent. If completing the action is more important to you than leaving yourself open to an extra attack, then do not take the action as a defensive action.
Characters who are aware they are being threatened are always given the option to take actions defensively, whether they declare that the action was taken defensively or not at the time they declare their action.

Opportunity Action

Every creature that is not flat-footed can take one opportunity action a round. The most common opportunity action is an attack of opportunity. Special feats can allow creatures to take other actions as an opportunity action.

Categories: General Campaign Rules, Combat and Adventuring

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