Actions in Combat

During one turn, there are a wide variety of actions that your character can perform, from swinging a sword to casting a spell.

Below is a list of all actions, and their common uses, in order of duration (from highest to lowest).

• Full Action - This action type uses your two Half Actions for the turn to produce a powerful effect. This action type is commonly used for a Full Attack (see Combat).
• Half Action - This is the most common action type. Making a single attack, moving up to your speed, casting a spell, drinking a potion, and other common activities in combat are usually Half Actions.
• Swift - A bonus action, usually used for unique Talents and certain spells.

• Free - As the name implies, these actions are completely free, and you may usually take as many free actions as you wish per turn, at GM discretion.
• Immediate - A special action type that takes place outside of your turn, at any point during combat. Using an Immediate Action takes your Swift Action from the following turn.

Each round a character gets two half actions and one swift action by default. Only one spell or spell-like ability may be cast per turn if it requires a half action.

A half action allows you to do something, most commonly to make an attack, move up to your speed, cast a spell, or perform an action that takes a similar amount of time (see Chart 1-1).

A full-round action generally consumes all your effort during a round. To use a full-round action you must expend two half actions.

Free actions consume a very small amount of time and effort. You can perform one or more free actions while taking another action normally. Reasonable limits apply, as determined by the GM.

A swift action consumes a very small amount of time but represents a greater expenditure of effort than a free action. You may perform only one swift action per turn.

An immediate action functions like a swift action but may be performed at any time, even when it is not your turn. This expends your next turn’s swift action.

Some activities are so minor they are not considered actions at all. They take no time and are treated as part of another action, such as nocking an arrow as part of making a ranged attack.