Question about RAW in PFS (or when charts and text don't always agree)

[Dhjika]

In the core rule book chart of actions (pg 183 I think) it says to prepare a splash weapon is a full round action.

In the text - the only place it mentions a full round action is for using oil as a splash weapon.

I am just starting to GM games - and it would be a help which applies in PFS

TIA

[Artoo]

My understanding is this:

Actually throwing a splash weapon, like Alchemist's Fire, is a standard action.

Some things that can be used as a splash weapon need to be prepared first, like oil or say flour packed into a bag to try and reveal invisible enemies. Making use of something a bit unusual like that is a full round action instead.

[Jiggy]

I don't see the contradiction. What's the question, exactly?

[CRobledo]

@Jiggy

For items like alchemist's fire, liquid ice, alkali flasks, etc... the table in the CRB implies that it takes a full round action to "prepare" them. So you couldn't do things like readying to toss an alchemist's fire since it takes longer than a standard action.

Like Dhjika says, the only actual item in the CRB that states anything about preparing as a full round action is the "Oil" description in the Equipment section.

May be more of a rules forum question, but I think this has been asked there 3-4 times with no dev comment.

@"Where tables and text do not agree" - Actually if memory serves me correctly, it has been stated that text trumps tables in case of discrepancies.

[Jiggy]

So we're taking the "preparing a splash weapon is a full-round action" to mean "all splash weapons ever need to be prepared right before you throw them and vendors certainly never sell you pre-prepared splash weapons even though they're specifically made for that purpose"?

That's not the rules implying things, that's people inferring things. Nonsensical things at that.

[Strannik]

Preparing a splash weapon is a full round action, but most splash weapons are prepared when you buy them (acid flask, etc), so you don't have to prepare them yourself, you just have to throw it (a standard action). If you found a vat of acid and wanted to put some in a bottle to throw, that would be a full round action as you would have to prepare it.

I understand the confusion, but I don't think a FAQ is required, it's pretty clear when you read it closely.

[SCPRedMage]

Core Rulebook, page 157 wrote:

Oil: A pint of oil burns for 6 hours in a lantern or lamp. You can also use a flask of oil as a splash weapon. Use the rules for alchemist’s fire (see Special Substances and Items on Table 6–9), except that it takes a full-round action to prepare a flask with a fuse. Once it is thrown, there is a 50% chance of the flask igniting successfully.

This is what that entry on the "actions in combat" table is referring to. Alchemist's fire itself doesn't require any prepping, as it bursts into flames as soon as it makes contact with air, and acid is... well, acid; both will be fully effective as soon as the vial they're contained in breaks from hitting some poor sap upside the head.

Oil, on the other hand, needs to be rigged to catch fire, because that isn't going to happen on its own.