I think I have the concept correct, but I'm not 100% on it. The idea is this: I have the Bodyguard feat and would like to defend my party with it. I ready an action to say "When a party member is attacked, I will move to be adjacent to them." Now, it's obvious that I can do this. A character can move as a standard action. My questions are as follows:
1. Does the Bodyguard feat still trigger? Can I now aid another to that ally and buff his AC?
2. If I have multiple allies, can I pass on this trigger and await another to go interrupt?
Please, don't bog down this thread with Bodyguard and adjacent rules. Those I understand and I know how my GM will handle them. I am just asking about those two things.
Thanks to whomever replies!
1. Yes. Your readied action occurs before the attack.
2. If you set your trigger as "a party member is attacked," then no.
RAW, you can use a trigger of "a party member is attacked and my character thinks it is the right time." But that would probably not go well with most GMs, so you should ask ahead of time if you're thinking of doing that.
You can use a more complex trigger as the situation calls for, such as specifying which ally, which attacking enemy, or which location.
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Thanks, Avoron.
I was unsure with the wording of Ready Action. It states:
Quote: Then, anytime before your next action, you may take the readied action in response to that condition. The word "anytime" being the operable item. If this word was instead "the next time," it would justify your interpretation. Alas, the word is "anytime," suggesting multiplicity.
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Actually, I think you're right.
See, this is the back and forth I have been having with myself about it!
Yes, you can always decide not to react to your readied action trigger. Readying an action is not a binding contract, otherwise that would be highly exploitable by the other party:
Good Guy Archer: "I ready an action to shoot at whatever walks down that corridor."
Bad Guy Wizard: "Hmm that archer looks like he's waiting for something, I'm guessing he's planning to shoot whatever comes down that corridor."
*casts suggestion to send the Good Guy Fighter to walk down the corridor*
Good Guy Archer: "Oh no, I worded my readied action poorly and now I'm forced to shoot at my friend! If only I hadn't made a binding contract with myself! I'm sorry Good Guy Fighter, but this is something I HAVE to do!"
TCA,
The sub-question then would be... can I take the *next* time that event triggers?
In the scenario with our archer, could he pass on the fighter, but plink the wizard's hapless goon?
You always have the option of not taking your readied action. Note the word may below. If it said must then you would have to take your readied action, come what may. That's not what it says.
CRB Combat wrote: ... specify the action you will take and the conditions under which you will take it. Then, anytime before your next action, you may take the readied action in response to that condition.
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So my reading that you can both opt out of it AND take it the next time is legit?
I see readied actions used so seldom. I just wanna confirm this works before trying it out in live action.
Agreed. This makes bodyguard feat much more useful. Thanks for the tactic heyyon. Because combat reflex allow for multiple AoOs, what you really want is your allies in formation in front of you so 2 or 3 folks are adjacent to you... :)
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Cross formation with the Bodyguard at the center is mathematically the best, but I feat it struggles later on once you have teleporting/flying enemies.
That said, with readied actions and decent manipulation of the initiative order, you can be a GM's nightmare position yourself to defend two (or more) allies that are separated by distance.
heyyon wrote: So my reading that you can both opt out of it AND take it the next time is legit?
I see readied actions used so seldom. I just wanna confirm this works before trying it out in live action.
Yes. It is very much like an AoO in this case. Just because someone triggers an AoO doesn't mean you have to take one. You can opt to wait and see if a better opportunity comes up to take your AoO.
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Combat Patrol could be useful with this as well. Enemy moves to attack your ally, you move to a spot in which you can both AoO and bodyguard.
NikolaiJuno wrote: Combat Patrol could be useful with this as well. Enemy moves to attack your ally, you move to a spot in which you can both AoO and bodyguard. Well... I know what my next fighter/barbarian/Ulfen_Guard will be! :)
oh, and "In Harm's Way" feat would be sick with this combat patrol combo... it stands to reason that such a bodyguard should have regeneration or some kind of fast healing, or maybe be a healer him/herself...
thoughts / suggestions?
A spelleater rageshaper instead of a barbarian.
Purple Dragon Knight,
Check out the spell "Shared Sacrifice."
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