Jaunt Boots. how do you guys use them in your games?

[Cap. Darling]

Yes that is the question. I have seen what SKR tells us the Wording meens and if he says so and all. But if you use the boots how do you guys rule they work?
Thanks in advance.
And happy new year:)

[Grizzly the Archer]

As I see it it is pretty useless if the wording of the item of "on command" is meant to mean the use of a standard action to use. I would think that the purpose of a magic item is to do something better, or different, or new for a short or long duration. These boots cost 7,200 gp which is near the same level as some items are for a feat like ability, or class ability, or other items with similar power rating. Such as 3/day, a small bump in something very specific, in this casem5' to 15' and it being movement related.

I find it hard to believe the writer or developers would have you use a superior action, standard, to do a suboptimal ability for not exactly dirt cheap of a price 3/day. Even if the price is taken out of the equation, use activated items are not always standard actions.

"If the item's activation is subsumed in its use and takes no extra time use, activation is not an action at all." Line 4 PP3 of Use Activated.

The action of moving 10' or 15' is automatically subsumed from the moment of movement. It is not a separate action of moving from 5' to 15' away, or even from your square to 5' then 15' away. The item allows, a very limited times per day to extend your movement through a specific use. Since it is not a separate action, that takes any setup or long period of time, then the command is meant to be a mental command that is just as swift. With that last part assumed, it is no action, merely mental thought allows your intent of moving 5' to 15' happen instantly. Even without the last part assumed, the rest is concrete enough to warrant it being no action.

I must point out that "on command" is not the same as "command word." One is an action that takes more focus and longer period of time, a command word. That is a standard action, no question. However, on command, not being directly meaning a command word, can constitute many things, none of which have to be a command word. The most common is of course is a mental command, which is much faster and on top of that the item isn't taken extra steps. The purpose of the item is to allow you the benefit of moving further than your initial capacity. To activate the item is to be making the 5' action and willing the power of the boots doing so. Since the will of moving is one and the same with e intent of activation since to activate them you need to move, then it is subsumed into one another. In conclusion, no action.

TL; DR A command word is not the same as on command and activating on command is no action.
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But in my game, I'd have them used as intended, 3/day the player may use their 5' action to move up to 15' without provoking an AoO. (My clarification: since to activate the item You need to have will and make a movement since the item says "when the wearer makes a 5-foot step," when being the critical part here, then it is no action. The action is the 5' step being used. Rather than it being a standard action).

Side issue:

I've noticed many times that when there are debated or issues on specifics such as these, or even broad stroke issues, like the monk for example, in many cases the "improvements" made made through errata and FAQ, they are not in fact balanced evenly. More like empty balancing, where it looks like it is fair, some negatives here, for some positives there, when it is in fact not at balanced and there are other issues that bud out from the original ones. Still, not everything can be solved and the developers know this,many I think they get a lot of slack sometimes from people who might seem to forget, that they are people to. They have bad days, or have differing views, or make mistakes. So perhaps this is one. Even if not, the evidence is in my mind more in favor for it being no action as a mental command versus a standard action command word. But that's just me.

~Grizzly

Happy New Year!

[Cap. Darling]

Thanks. I will use them as you do when i GM. But when i play i like to offer the GM a few arguments for both saying yes and no to my suggestions:)

[DM Livgin]

Grizzly,
Thanks for the analysis.

Sincerely;
The proto-concept of a Cleave Through, Orc Hewer, Goblin Cleaver build.

[JustABill]

Assuming the Standard action to activate, they would still be useful in avoiding attacks of opportunity. That being said, a lot of gold for a very situational benefit.