I'd say so.
You might be quicker, but the AOO descriptor 'reload' is still applicable.
|
I looked at the combat section and it calls out loading crossbows with standard and move actions, but I didn't see anything in the AOO rules that mentioned reloading in general. Free and swift actions don't provoke AOO's to my knowledge.
I assumed that reloading provoked (even as a free action), but someone mentioned in another thread that it wouldnt as a free action, because free actions won't prevoke. No one has chimed in with a clarification yet, so I'm asking in the rules forum.
Does anyone have a reference to put my mind at ease?
No they don't bbt however thats called out specificly nothing overrides the AoO for reloading just because its a free action.
I see what you mean on the AOO table, but that was done pre-firearms and I am not sure it is a complete definitive list covering all situations - ie do I only provoke when reloading a LIGHT crossbow as a Move action, meaning if I can reload a Heavy as a Move action I'll be ok?
Whilst the Free and Standard actions listed there do not provoke AOO's I couldn't see any text that definitively stated Free/Swift never do.
Choose a type of crossbow (hand, light, or heavy). You can reload such weapons quickly.
Prerequisite: Weapon Proficiency (crossbow type chosen).
Benefit: The time required for you to reload your chosen type of crossbow is reduced to a free action (for a hand or light crossbow) or a move action (for a heavy crossbow). Reloading a crossbow still provokes an attack of opportunity.
If you have selected this feat for hand crossbow or light crossbow, you may fire that weapon as many times in a full-attack action as you could attack if you were using a bow.
Normal: A character without this feat needs a move action to reload a hand or light crossbow, or a full-round action to reload a heavy crossbow.
Special: You can gain Rapid Reload multiple times. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new type of crossbow.
You can load crossbows with blinding speed and even fire them in melee with little fear of reprisal.
Prerequisites: Dex 15, Point-Blank Shot, Rapid Reload, Rapid Shot.
Benefit: The time required for you to reload any type of crossbow is reduced to a free action, regardless of the type of crossbow used. You can fire a crossbow as many times in a full attack action as you could attack if you were using a bow. Reloading a crossbow for the type of crossbow you chose when you took Rapid Reload no longer provokes attacks of opportunity.
Special: Starting at 6th level, a ranger with the archery combat style may select Crossbow Mastery as a combat style feat.
Besides I think the bolded parts of these two feats speak for themselves.
As per TH, guess that looks pretty clear as a precedent.
Weren't you using the feat to reduce your reload to a free action? I'm genuinely curious, as I'd be interested in alternative methods of making firearms relaxing as a free action...
|
|
I had a character with the musket master archetype and TBH I just knew that with paper cartridges, fast musket, and the bonus reload feat at level 1 he'd reload as a free action.
I was operating under the assumption the character would pick up Deft Shootist deed, but was so feat starved I hated to get the Dodge, mobility as pre-req's.
In another thread someone said free actions / swift actions don't provoke, and I immediately started looking through the combat sections and didn't think that specific feat rules would have (what seems to me the very general) rules of ranged combat pertaining to something as mundane as reloading.