Ready and Action - "Standard Action" or Exact Action


Rules Questions


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I am playing a wizard and would like to take use of "Ready an Action" in combat. There has been a debate in our group about the limitation of "readying an action".

here is a scenario:

1. we are in a group of enemies. Can i ready a "standard action" to cast a spell such as Daze OR Shield or whatever spells i have available or do i need to specifically "ready casting the spell Daze" with the trigger "if i am attacked".

The main question that needs to be answered is do i need to specify the spell i will cast at the time of readying an action or can i simply ready a "standard action" / "cast a spell" with a specific trigger.


You don't need to state which spell, only that you are going to cast a spell. You do need to state a specific trigger - an enemy moves next to me, or an enemy attacks me, or my ally gets into a flanking position, etc.

Liberty's Edge

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PRD wrote:
Readying an Action: You can ready a standard action, a move action, a swift action, or a free action. To do so, specify the action you will take and the conditions under which you will take it.

For me "I will cast a spell." isn't enough. The ready action require you to specify the action you are taking at least with the same level of precision that you use when you take a standard action.

When it is your turn and you cast a spell, you don't declare "I cast a spell", you declare "I cast shield".
Doing otherwise would be very unbalancing against martial types. Look the weapon with the brace ability: you need to have them readied to benefit for it, so you ready your action with a specific weapon, not "any of my attack options".


There's a precedent for not choosing which spell you're casting when readying an action.

When readying to counterspell, you must succeed on a Spellcraft check to identify the spell the enemy casts. Using your readied action to cast the same spell successfully counterspells the enemy's spell without any check required.

Obviously to do so, you don't know which spell you're readying, only that you're prepared to cast some kind of spell in response to the enemy's actions.

To me this indicates flexibility in choosing which spell you're going to cast as part of a readied action. You still need to specify the exact trigger condition, but the actual spell you're going to cast doesn't need to be specified as part of the readied action.

Liberty's Edge

JDLPF wrote:

There's a precedent for not choosing which spell you're casting when readying an action.

When readying to counterspell, you must succeed on a Spellcraft check to identify the spell the enemy casts. Using your readied action to cast the same spell successfully counterspells the enemy's spell without any check required.

Obviously to do so, you don't know which spell you're readying, only that you're prepared to cast some kind of spell in response to the enemy's actions.

To me this indicates flexibility in choosing which spell you're going to cast as part of a readied action. You still need to specify the exact trigger condition, but the actual spell you're going to cast doesn't need to be specified as part of the readied action.

Interesting argument. I personally feel that counterspell is an exception, not the rule, as the spell that you cast has no effect beside disrupting a spell that is being cast, but it is strong argument against my interpretation.

It seem a bit too convenient for casters, similar to a martial character saying "I have quick draw, so I declare that I will attack as soon as I have an enemy in range, and quick draw whatever weapon I want (from melee, throw or missile) to choose what range applies."


JDLPF wrote:

There's a precedent for not choosing which spell you're casting when readying an action.

When readying to counterspell, you must succeed on a Spellcraft check to identify the spell the enemy casts. Using your readied action to cast the same spell successfully counterspells the enemy's spell without any check required.

Obviously to do so, you don't know which spell you're readying, only that you're prepared to cast some kind of spell in response to the enemy's actions.

To me this indicates flexibility in choosing which spell you're going to cast as part of a readied action. You still need to specify the exact trigger condition, but the actual spell you're going to cast doesn't need to be specified as part of the readied action.

But you do have to specify that it's a counterspell, and

Magic wrote:
If the target of your counterspell tries to cast a spell, make a Spellcraft check (DC 15 + the spell's level). This check is a free action. If the check succeeds, you correctly identify the opponent's spell and can attempt to counter it. If the check fails, you can't do either of these things.

That is, if you fail the Spellcraft check, you can't just guess what spell they might be casting and attempt to counter accordingly. Which means there's no reason to conclude that you could have readied "cast some unspecicfied spell."


As a GM I would accept "I ready to cast a spell" but I wouldn't accept "I ready a standard action". You have to be more specific than that for me.


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The rules state you have to select an action.

Actions are listed on table 8-2. "Cast a Spell" is such an action.

So, you do not need to specify which spell, just specify which action you are taking (casting a spell).


Diego Rossi wrote:
JDLPF wrote:

There's a precedent for not choosing which spell you're casting when readying an action.

When readying to counterspell, you must succeed on a Spellcraft check to identify the spell the enemy casts. Using your readied action to cast the same spell successfully counterspells the enemy's spell without any check required.

Obviously to do so, you don't know which spell you're readying, only that you're prepared to cast some kind of spell in response to the enemy's actions.

To me this indicates flexibility in choosing which spell you're going to cast as part of a readied action. You still need to specify the exact trigger condition, but the actual spell you're going to cast doesn't need to be specified as part of the readied action.

Interesting argument. I personally feel that counterspell is an exception, not the rule, as the spell that you cast has no effect beside disrupting a spell that is being cast, but it is strong argument against my interpretation.

It seem a bit too convenient for casters, similar to a martial character saying "I have quick draw, so I declare that I will attack as soon as I have an enemy in range, and quick draw whatever weapon I want (from melee, throw or missile) to choose what range applies."

Quickdraw says you can draw a weapon as a free action.

Ready an action says "You can ready a standard action, a move action, a swift action, or a free action. To do so, 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."

which to me means you cannot use a free action as part of a readied standard action.

The kensai Laijutsu abiltiy says "A kensai may make attacks of opportunity when flat-footed, and may draw his favored weapon as a free action as part of taking an attack of opportunity." if quickdraw was worded in such a way that it said as part of taking ___ action then certainly that would work. but with quickdraw it is clear that drawing the weapon and attacking or whatever you want to do with the weapon are 2 completely different actions and not part of the same action.

Liberty's Edge

Omagi wrote:
Diego Rossi wrote:
JDLPF wrote:

There's a precedent for not choosing which spell you're casting when readying an action.

When readying to counterspell, you must succeed on a Spellcraft check to identify the spell the enemy casts. Using your readied action to cast the same spell successfully counterspells the enemy's spell without any check required.

Obviously to do so, you don't know which spell you're readying, only that you're prepared to cast some kind of spell in response to the enemy's actions.

To me this indicates flexibility in choosing which spell you're going to cast as part of a readied action. You still need to specify the exact trigger condition, but the actual spell you're going to cast doesn't need to be specified as part of the readied action.

Interesting argument. I personally feel that counterspell is an exception, not the rule, as the spell that you cast has no effect beside disrupting a spell that is being cast, but it is strong argument against my interpretation.

It seem a bit too convenient for casters, similar to a martial character saying "I have quick draw, so I declare that I will attack as soon as I have an enemy in range, and quick draw whatever weapon I want (from melee, throw or missile) to choose what range applies."

Quickdraw says you can draw a weapon as a free action.

Ready an action says

"You can ready a standard action, a move action, a swift action, or a free action. To do so, 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."

which to me means you cannot use a free action as part of a readied standard action.

The kensai Laijutsu abiltiy says "A kensai may make attacks of opportunity when flat-footed, and may draw his favored weapon as a free action as part of taking an attack of opportunity." if quickdraw was worded in such a way that it said as part of...

You can take a free or swift action while taking a standard action (like an attack) that you have readied, so it is possible to quick draw a weapon or draw an arrow for your bow as part of a readied action.

But the trick (and the part that is not allowed) is that the guy in the example is deciding "this is the target I want, now I draw a weapon appropriate to the distance from my target and make my readied attack". Essentially the guy in the example is doing the thing backward: he draw the weapon he want to use while he is unable to attack the chosen target. Only after drawing the weapon he has a way to attack.

To me a caster saying "I ready an action to cast a spell when XX happen" is stretching the rules in a similar way.


Can you link something that says you can take a free action with your readied action?

If you were wanting to ready an action with a bow normally to "shoot that guy" when "he moves" as the trigger, you could use your free action during your turn then a standard action to ready the above stated action. This seems entirely reasonable for a series of events but it is never broken down like this to such a degree except in an instance where quickdraw is coming into play.

Because readying an action explicitly says you can ready a standard action, a move action, a swift action, or a free action and it does not explicitly say you can use them in combination: That means you do not get a free action with the readied action - same as you don't get to make a free 5 foot step as part of an immediate action or an attack of opportunity unless something specifically allows you to. Doing a "Readied action" is an action out of turn so free actions are not allowed unless specifically readied.

The only free action Readying explicitly states you can use with a readied action is You can take a 5-foot step as part of your readied action, but only if you don’t otherwise move any distance during the round. Link to Ready an Action Link


At the risk of being pedantic, I feel like I should note that taking a five-foot step is not a free action. At best, it's a miscellaneous action - the Actions In Combat table even calls it "No Action". So... it's probably not a good comparison for what else might be possible to do with a readied action.


GM Rednal wrote:
At the risk of being pedantic, I feel like I should note that taking a five-foot step is not a free action. At best, it's a miscellaneous action - the Actions In Combat table even calls it "No Action". So... it's probably not a good comparison for what else might be possible to do with a readied action.
Okay so according to that and
Gauss wrote:

The rules state you have to select an action.

Actions are listed on table 8-2. "Cast a Spell" is such an action.

So, you do not need to specify which spell, just specify which action you are taking (casting a spell).

and the rules for Ready an Action You can ready a standard action, a move action, a swift action, or a free action. To do so, 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. The action occurs just before the action that triggers it. If the triggered action is part of another character’s activities, you interrupt the other character. Assuming he is still capable of doing so, he continues his actions once you complete your readied action. Your initiative result changes. For the rest of the encounter, your initiative result is the count on which you took the readied action, and you act immediately ahead of the character whose action triggered your readied action.

You can take a 5-foot step as part of your readied action, but only if you don’t otherwise move any distance during the round.

Is it possible to do this: quickdraw the weapon I need to attack "that guy" that triggered your readied action by RAW? Or cast shield on yourself instead of Daze on the monster that triggered the "if i am attacked" trigger.


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Omagi, the Devs have FAQd that you can take free actions that are part of an attack when that attack is used in an Attack of Opportunity.

The same logic should apply to readied actions. If the free action is part of an attack then it should be allowed.

Example 1: Grab when you use a readied action to attack someone with an attack that has the grab ability.

Example 2: drawing an arrow made as part of an attack is a free action.

As for your question regarding quickdraw, I would lean towards no but it depends on the specific attack and abilities used. Some attacks require quickdraw so I would allow it in that case.

Regarding casting a spell, if you stated "if I am attacked I cast a spell" then you have stated both the trigger and the action you are taking meeting both requirements. What you choose to cast is up to you, at the moment the readied action activates. So you could cast Daze or you could cast Shield.

Liberty's Edge

Omagi wrote:

Can you link something that says you can take a free action with your readied action?

If you were wanting to ready an action with a bow normally to "shoot that guy" when "he moves" as the trigger, you could use your free action during your turn then a standard action to ready the above stated action. This seems entirely reasonable for a series of events but it is never broken down like this to such a degree except in an instance where quickdraw is coming into play.

Because readying an action explicitly says you can ready a standard action, a move action, a swift action, or a free action and it does not explicitly say you can use them in combination: That means you do not get a free action with the readied action - same as you don't get to make a free 5 foot step as part of an immediate action or an attack of opportunity unless something specifically allows you to. Doing a "Readied action" is an action out of turn so free actions are not allowed unless specifically readied.

The only free action Readying explicitly states you can use with a readied action is You can take a 5-foot step as part of your readied action, but only if you don’t otherwise move any distance during the round. Link to Ready an Action Link

PRD wrote:
Free Action: Free actions consume a very small amount of time and effort. You can perform one or more free actions while taking another action normally. However, there are reasonable limits on what you can really do for free, as decided by the GM.

Same for swift, but you are limited to only 1 swift action each turn.

You c<an ready "a swift action, or a free action." because that allow you to react to something with the appropriate action, as normally you can't perform a a swift or free action off turn (with the exception of speaking).

As an example, I could ready an action to cast Litany of Escape if one of my friends is grappled by an enemy.
That would allow me to free him before the enemies apply the effect of constrict, shallow whole or other abilities.
Litany of Escape is a swift action, not an immediate one, so normally I couldn't cast it when it isn't my turn to act. But while casting Litany of Escape I can move 5' (free action) and, if I have quick draw, draw my sword (another free action). The GM can say I am performing too many free actions, but the rules allow that.


Gauss wrote:

Omagi, the Devs have FAQd that you can take free actions that are part of an attack when that attack is used in an Attack of Opportunity.

The same logic should apply to readied actions. If the free action is part of an attack then it should be allowed.

Example 1: Grab when you use a readied action to attack someone with an attack that has the grab ability.

Example 2: drawing an arrow made as part of an attack is a free action.

As for your question regarding quickdraw, I would lean towards no but it depends on the specific attack and abilities used. Some attacks require quickdraw so I would allow it in that case.

Regarding casting a spell, if you stated "if I am attacked I cast a spell" then you have stated both the trigger and the action you are taking meeting both requirements. What you choose to cast is up to you, at the moment the readied action activates. So you could cast Daze or you could cast Shield.

the group extremely disagrees. because based on this ruling and the table you provided a person could cast a spell as a ranged touch attack attack if he is too far away to use a melee touch attack spell. However a martial class could not use a dagger they readied to stab someone and change their mind and throw it. this is problematic because "attack" is not specific enough for your standard action.

They argue that the casting of a specific spell is what the table argues and that you cannot ready the idea of simply casting any spell you feel like.


Diego Rossi wrote:
Omagi wrote:

Can you link something that says you can take a free action with your readied action?

If you were wanting to ready an action with a bow normally to "shoot that guy" when "he moves" as the trigger, you could use your free action during your turn then a standard action to ready the above stated action. This seems entirely reasonable for a series of events but it is never broken down like this to such a degree except in an instance where quickdraw is coming into play.

Because readying an action explicitly says you can ready a standard action, a move action, a swift action, or a free action and it does not explicitly say you can use them in combination: That means you do not get a free action with the readied action - same as you don't get to make a free 5 foot step as part of an immediate action or an attack of opportunity unless something specifically allows you to. Doing a "Readied action" is an action out of turn so free actions are not allowed unless specifically readied.

The only free action Readying explicitly states you can use with a readied action is You can take a 5-foot step as part of your readied action, but only if you don’t otherwise move any distance during the round. Link to Ready an Action Link

PRD wrote:
Free Action: Free actions consume a very small amount of time and effort. You can perform one or more free actions while taking another action normally. However, there are reasonable limits on what you can really do for free, as decided by the GM.

Same for swift, but you are limited to only 1 swift action each turn.

You c<an ready "a swift action, or a free action." because that allow you to react to something with the appropriate action, as normally you can't perform a a swift or free action off turn (with the exception of speaking).

As an example, I could ready an action to cast Litany of Escape if one of my friends is grappled by an enemy.
That would...

And still no conclusion you can use a free action in combination with a readied action. It has only been confirmed you may use a "no action" (5foot step") with one. Unless youu can find something that says otherwise.

The quote used says normally readied action is not typical.


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Omagi wrote:
Gauss wrote:

Omagi, the Devs have FAQd that you can take free actions that are part of an attack when that attack is used in an Attack of Opportunity.

The same logic should apply to readied actions. If the free action is part of an attack then it should be allowed.

Example 1: Grab when you use a readied action to attack someone with an attack that has the grab ability.

Example 2: drawing an arrow made as part of an attack is a free action.

As for your question regarding quickdraw, I would lean towards no but it depends on the specific attack and abilities used. Some attacks require quickdraw so I would allow it in that case.

Regarding casting a spell, if you stated "if I am attacked I cast a spell" then you have stated both the trigger and the action you are taking meeting both requirements. What you choose to cast is up to you, at the moment the readied action activates. So you could cast Daze or you could cast Shield.

the group extremely disagrees. because based on this ruling and the table you provided a person could cast a spell as a ranged touch attack attack if he is too far away to use a melee touch attack spell. However a martial class could not use a dagger they readied to stab someone and change their mind and throw it. this is problematic because "attack" is not specific enough for your standard action.

They argue that the casting of a specific spell is what the table argues and that you cannot ready the idea of simply casting any spell you feel like.

Your group can disagree all they want, I am going by what is in the book and that is what prevails in the rules forum.

1) Readied actions require a triggering clause.
2) Readied actions require a declared action.
3) Actions are listed on table 8-2.

Just because this makes some things, such as Attack (melee) vs Attack (ranged), more limiting for a martial class does not have any bearing on the rules. The rules don't make sense in places, welcome to pathfinder! :)

Your group is free to houserule it but there is no rule stating you must specify a specific weapon or specific spell. It does state you must specify an action.


Gauss wrote:
Omagi wrote:
Gauss wrote:

Omagi, the Devs have FAQd that you can take free actions that are part of an attack when that attack is used in an Attack of Opportunity.

The same logic should apply to readied actions. If the free action is part of an attack then it should be allowed.

Example 1: Grab when you use a readied action to attack someone with an attack that has the grab ability.

Example 2: drawing an arrow made as part of an attack is a free action.

As for your question regarding quickdraw, I would lean towards no but it depends on the specific attack and abilities used. Some attacks require quickdraw so I would allow it in that case.

Regarding casting a spell, if you stated "if I am attacked I cast a spell" then you have stated both the trigger and the action you are taking meeting both requirements. What you choose to cast is up to you, at the moment the readied action activates. So you could cast Daze or you could cast Shield.

the group extremely disagrees. because based on this ruling and the table you provided a person could cast a spell as a ranged touch attack attack if he is too far away to use a melee touch attack spell. However a martial class could not use a dagger they readied to stab someone and change their mind and throw it. this is problematic because "attack" is not specific enough for your standard action.

They argue that the casting of a specific spell is what the table argues and that you cannot ready the idea of simply casting any spell you feel like.

Your group can disagree all they want, I am going by what is in the book and that is what prevails in the rules forum.

1) Readied actions require a triggering clause.
2) Readied actions require a declared action.
3) Actions are listed on table 8-2.

Just because this makes some things, such as Attack (melee) vs Attack (ranged), more limiting for a martial class does not have any bearing on the rules. The rules...

So the only way a martial fighter could gain the same level of freedom is through a 5 feat tax with a feat called Cunning Intuition which they are ruling is the only way a spellcaster would be granted that much freedom.


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You can use a ranged attack from 5 feet away. Take snap shot and you won't even take a AoO for it.


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Omagi wrote:
Gauss wrote:
Omagi wrote:
Gauss wrote:

Omagi, the Devs have FAQd that you can take free actions that are part of an attack when that attack is used in an Attack of Opportunity.

The same logic should apply to readied actions. If the free action is part of an attack then it should be allowed.

Example 1: Grab when you use a readied action to attack someone with an attack that has the grab ability.

Example 2: drawing an arrow made as part of an attack is a free action.

As for your question regarding quickdraw, I would lean towards no but it depends on the specific attack and abilities used. Some attacks require quickdraw so I would allow it in that case.

Regarding casting a spell, if you stated "if I am attacked I cast a spell" then you have stated both the trigger and the action you are taking meeting both requirements. What you choose to cast is up to you, at the moment the readied action activates. So you could cast Daze or you could cast Shield.

the group extremely disagrees. because based on this ruling and the table you provided a person could cast a spell as a ranged touch attack attack if he is too far away to use a melee touch attack spell. However a martial class could not use a dagger they readied to stab someone and change their mind and throw it. this is problematic because "attack" is not specific enough for your standard action.

They argue that the casting of a specific spell is what the table argues and that you cannot ready the idea of simply casting any spell you feel like.

Your group can disagree all they want, I am going by what is in the book and that is what prevails in the rules forum.

1) Readied actions require a triggering clause.
2) Readied actions require a declared action.
3) Actions are listed on table 8-2.

Just because this makes some things, such as Attack (melee) vs Attack (ranged), more limiting for a martial class does not have any bearing

So the only way a martial fighter could gain the same level of freedom is through a 5 feat tax with a feat called Cunning Intuition which they are ruling is the only way a spellcaster would be granted that much freedom.

I didn't make the rules and frankly, the martial selects "attack (melee)" he is not required to specify which weapon he uses.

Your group is free to houserule it any way they want, but the rule is pretty clear. You do not need to specify the spell you are going to cast, you just need to specify the action which in this case is "Cast a spell (1 standard action casting time)".

The fact that there is a disparity between spellcasters and martials is nothing new. If your group doesn't like that then that is for your group to houserule as they see fit. If you are wanting to discuss the disparity between spellcasters and martials there are forums for that, this isn't one of them. :)

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