Can I go slower

[wraithstrike]

If I gain the ability such as a feat or class feature that allows me to perform an act by using a faster action instead am I restricted to only the faster action?

Examples(the following are not actual abilities that exist officially):

Quick Finish
Benefit: At 13th level, a fighter performs a coup de grace as a standard action.

Item Retrieval
Benefit: At 7th level, a rogue is able to retrieve stowed items as a swift action.

[Diachronos]

wraithstrike wrote:

If I gain the ability such as a feat or class feature that allows me to perform an act by using a faster action instead am I restricted to only the faster action?

Examples:
The bard's performance allows for it to be used as a swift action at level 13. Unlike the level 7 version of it, there is no wording to indicate the move or standard actions are still options.

So if an ability is worded like the level 13 version of the bard performance ability would you be restricted to that specific action?

I want to say that you can, since it doesn't make much sense to first give you an upgrade that says "You can do A as an X action instead of a Y action" just to later say "You have to do A as a Z action"

[Fuzzy-Wuzzy]

Bard wrote:

At 7th level, a bard can start a bardic performance as a move action instead of a standard action. At 13th level, a bard can start a bardic performance as a swift action.

The use of "can" means it's just an option. Otherwise they'd say "At 7th level, starting a bardic performance is a move action" etc.

And I don't understand why you say the 7th and 13th level wordings are different in any relevant regard.

[Cuup]

Fuzzy-Wuzzy wrote:

Bard wrote:

At 7th level, a bard can start a bardic performance as a move action instead of a standard action. At 13th level, a bard can start a bardic performance as a swift action.

The use of "can" means it's just an option. Otherwise they'd say "At 7th level, starting a bardic performance is a move action" etc.

And I don't understand why you say the 7th and 13th level wordings are different in any relevant regard.

I agree with this. So, by level 13, you can start your Performance as a Standard action, OR a Move action, OR a Swift action. I always pictured this progression as measuring how long you had to hold the OHHHH... so it wouldn't make much sense if you weren't allowed to hold it longer just because you were better than you were before.

[wraithstrike]

Fuzzy-Wuzzy wrote:

Bard wrote:

At 7th level, a bard can start a bardic performance as a move action instead of a standard action. At 13th level, a bard can start a bardic performance as a swift action.

The use of "can" means it's just an option. Otherwise they'd say "At 7th level, starting a bardic performance is a move action" etc.

And I don't understand why you say the 7th and 13th level wordings are different in any relevant regard.

I missed the "can" for the 13th level section. I will reword it the opening post to fix that. Thanks.

[wraithstrike]

Cuup wrote:

Fuzzy-Wuzzy wrote:

Bard wrote:

At 7th level, a bard can start a bardic performance as a move action instead of a standard action. At 13th level, a bard can start a bardic performance as a swift action.

The use of "can" means it's just an option. Otherwise they'd say "At 7th level, starting a bardic performance is a move action" etc.

And I don't understand why you say the 7th and 13th level wordings are different in any relevant regard.

I agree with this. So, by level 13, you can start your Performance as a Standard action, OR a Move action, OR a Swift action. I always pictured this progression as measuring how long you had to hold the OHHHH... so it wouldn't make much sense if you weren't allowed to hold it longer just because you were better than you were before.

I agree, but not everyone does so I have made it into an FAQ question.

[Fuzzy-Wuzzy]

Give ya 20:1 odds they mark it "no reply needed."

[Curghann]

@WS - The way you've worded the fighter example I would say you can no longer perform a CDG as anything but a standard action barring any other specific trumping general ability/spell/item/etc that might come into play.

I see this as similar to the discussion about not using feats if you've selected them.

If the CDG thing were a feat, I'd say it's always on much like you couldnt decide to forgo the +2 Will save from Iron Will if you just decided to want a lesser save at some point (not to be confused with willingly failing the save).

The second example is worded slightly differently and I would say that means you have gained a new ability to retrieve as a swift. This does not mean you have to use it and you would still be able to retrieve as a move if you wanted. It's less definitive and restrictive in its wording IMO.

[Tarantula]

How about the Fast Drinker feat?

Quote:

Fast Drinker

You swiftly guzzle spirits to draw forth ki.

Prerequisites: Con 18, drunken ki class feature.

Benefit: Drinking strong alcohol to gain temporary ki, takes a swift action rather than a standard action.

Quote:

Drunken Ki (Su): At 3rd level, a drunken master can drink a tankard of ale or strong alcohol and gain one temporary ki point. The act of drinking is a standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

3rd level monk, without the feat can drink as a standard action to get 1 temporary ki.

3rd level monk with the feat can drink as a swift action to get one temporary ki.

Can a 3rd level monk with the feat choose to drink as a standard action?

[Curghann]

Strict interpretation of the wording, I would say no.