I finally managed to get a look over some of the ACG's contents, and there was a subject I found that seems to be too good to be true; I just want to be sure that I am understanding the mechanics correctly.
There is a 2nd level evocation spell on both the Bard and Sorcerer/Wizard spell lists called "Contingent Action." Here's what it says in the spell description:
The target gains an extra action that becomes available when a condition which you dictate is met. At the time of casting, you dictate the condition, and the target specifies a readied action that occurs when triggered by this condition. The condition needed to trigger the readied action must be clear, although it can be general. If a complicated or convoluted condition is prescribed, the whole combination might fail when triggered. For example, suppose the trigger and the action are stated as "If the target is attacked while he is not holding a weapon, he draws a weapon." If the target has no weapon to draw when the trigger occurs, the action fails. If the trigger and the action are "If an ally within 20 feet falls unconscious, the target moves to a space adjacent to that ally" but the target is chained to a wall when the trigger occurs and can't reach the unconscious ally, the action fails. The readied action must be a standard, move, or swift action-it cannot be used to cast a spell or use a supernatural ability. This action counts as a readied action and doesn't count toward the number of actions the creature can take in a round. When the condition occurs, the target can decide not to use the readied action. Once the condition is triggered, the spell is discharged-whether or not the target uses the readied action or the action is successful. This spell counts as a contingency spell for the purpose of having multiple contingent effects on a creature at the same time.
So if I'm correct, in addition to a target's full round's worth of actions, he also gets the ability to ready an action in response to a condition which is set by the caster of this spell; it lasts a minute per caster level and discharges once the readied action is taken.
Although you can't use it to cast spells (or use a Supernatural ability), this seems to be a pretty powerful and unique spell, especially when it's only 2nd level; I'm not sure if that's right, though. This does raise some other questions.
For example, it says it can't be used to cast spells or Supernatural Abilities, would this not circumvent Spell-Like Abilities from being used with this spell, or would it fall under the concept of casting spells?
Additionally, would this readied action work in attempts to counterspelling, for example? Some insight would be appreciated...
The bit about spells or su aabilities would prevent sla from working. Don't think counterspelling works for the same reason.
Topic resurrection.
Can this spell activate on flat-footed targets?
Example: A caster places Contingent Action on a fighter with a low initiative with the trigger of "to attack when an enemy moves adjacent".
If an enemy moves in before the fighter's turn, does the spell allow an attack and resets the fighter's initiative higher?
The downside I'm seeing is high-level fighters losing a round of full attacks if they allow the trigger.
The main limitation of this spell is the 1 minute casting time, coupled with the relatively short minutes/level duration.
But yeah, it is rather crazily strong for a 2nd level spell.