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Can a character take a free action before his first turn of combat?
Actions in combat says:
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.
Also:
Free actions don't take any time at all, though there may be limits to the number of free actions you can perform in a turn. Free actions rarely incur attacks of opportunity.
I spent some time searching, and couldn't find anything that directly addresses this issue (maybe I'm just bad at searching). I know how I'd rule if this were my home game (no), but I also GM PFS games, and I'd like to know - it's liable to come up tonight.
...if you're in my PFS group, don't read anything into this. ;)
Generally free actions are taken on the character's turn and not out of the turns (with some exceptions) so unless specific free action description states that it can be taken outside of own turn it can't be taken before first turn of combat. In case of free actions that can be performed out of turn it has to be judged by GM using common sense and over all fun for everyone - I'd say "no" while surprised, possibly yes otherwise.
What's the specific issue? It may have been clarified.
But unless it's talking, you can't take free actions out of turn.
What's the specific issue? It may have been clarified.
But unless it's talking, you can't take free actions out of turn.
I think that there were some special abilities that said that they can be used as a free action outside of their turn and few that were activated as a free action in reaction to something and directly affected their triggering event so would not work if one had to wait for his turn, most of them were monstrous however.
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Since at least two of my players read the messageboards, I'd rather not say exactly, in the hope they don't put two and two together, but it's an ability that can be activated as a free action. I'm inclined to say no, but I haven't been able to find a rule that specifically says no. And yes, I'm the GM, and can invoke Rule Zero, but I'd rather not do so and find out I was wrong.
You can send me an e-mail at this avatar at gmail.com, and I can help you figure it out.
And tell us what it was afterwards.
Since at least two of my players read the messageboards, I'd rather not say exactly, in the hope they don't put two and two together, but it's an ability that can be activated as a free action. I'm inclined to say no, but I haven't been able to find a rule that specifically says no. And yes, I'm the GM, and can invoke Rule Zero, but I'd rather not do so and find out I was wrong.
No. They can't. Free Actions are taken on your turn only.
There is a type of action that can happen outside of your turn and they are called "Immediate Actions".
I think some people may have missed the point of the question. The OP asked can you take free actions if you are flat footed. "Before your first turn of combat" = flatfooted, right?
So can you use a free action while flat footed?
I say, no.
That's not actually the issue in the specific instance, but I'll wait for DeathSpot to respond.
So there are immediate actions that you can take flatfooted, but no free ones? What else besides feather fall?
Can you take actions before your first turn in combat if you aren't flat-footed?
Can you take actions before your first turn in combat if you aren't flat-footed?
Immediate actions should be possible by RAW if you have uncanny dodge.