Rules wise is a non action that you can only take if you haven't used a Move action to move any distance. > though this can lead to great amounts of confusion at some point regarding some SU/EX like Shift, but that's for another post.
When would the distinction matter? I can't see a GM ruling that you can't take a 5' step because you've used too many free actions already.
That said, I would say it is a non-action. The second 'miscellaneous actions' section is just clarifying the mechanics of when and how 5' steps work and does not mention or changes the action type, it is more of a 'or work differently to other actions' example. It is a non-issue in this discussion IMO.
The mention in AoO is odd, I wouldn't give it much weight. It doesn't directly refer to 5' steps in a rules context and carries all the hallmarks of an error.
It matters because of the new 'you can take a move action while nauseated, but not a free action' ruling. If you stand up as a move action while nauseated, can you then take a 5' step? If it's a non-action, then the answer is yes.
Eh, I'd let them. Stumbling along at 5 feet sounds exactly like what a nasuated person would do.
Its part of another action, so you could draw potion 5 foot step on round 1 then 5 foot step and drink on round 2.
Hadn't seen that FAQ go up, good to know even if it won't come up very often (not one that's ever been relevant for me).
If it's not an action, it seems that it would work not only while nauseated but also while dazed or stunned.
"not an action" is still an action type. No way you are getting away with that while dazed or stunned.
I don't think you can do an action(the game term) or action(standard English term) while helpless, but I also consider a 5 ft step as a "non action" as in "it is not action for game term purposes".
PS: I think when Avoron said he would not allow a 5 ft step while dazed or stunned that it logically follows he would not allow it for being helpless.
So you think while helpless you can 5 foot step?
The problem with helpless is that you can't move:
A character with a Dexterity score of 0 is incapable of moving and is effectively immobile (but not unconscious).
I would allow a nauseated person to make a 5 foot step as part of their move action.
Yeah, the nausea FAQ was what led me to ask this, although I've had the question floating around my head for a while.
If it's not an action, it seems that it would work not only while nauseated but also while dazed or stunned.
Even considering a 5' step as not an action, you are allowed to take a 5' step before, during, or after your other actions in the round.
If you can't take any actions at all, you're never at a point that satisfies any of the three options. No 5' step for you.
Eh, I'd let them. Stumbling along at 5 feet sounds exactly like what a nasuated person would do.
A 5' step isn't really stumbling though; stumbling for 5 feet would provoke an attack of opportunity.
Eh, I'd let them. Stumbling along at 5 feet sounds exactly like what a nasuated person would do.A 5' step isn't really stumbling though; stumbling for 5 feet would provoke an attack of opportunity.
Interesting, I can't find a rule that supports this. Could you point me to it?
There isn't, really, but we already know that not every 5 foot move is a 5 foot step; you can move 5 feet in rough terrain and still be stuck provoking, for example. From this I'd extrapolate that a 5' step is specifically a tactical shift, a movement designed to leave your defenses up rather than just any time you move five feet.
I don't think there's a definitive RAW answer either way so I turn to things like this for an answer.
Sigh.
It seems pretty clear to me that the FAQ is designed to formally say what nauseated leaves you with. If it's a move/move-equivalent action, you can do it. If it isn't, you can't.
Now, I'm sure there are edge conditions. Is breathing an action? No, not normally. So a nauseated creature isn't going suffocate. But other than autonomic non-action tasks, which almost universally don't benefit a creature, you can't do them.
A 5ft step is useful. Not essential in the sense that breathing is. But it's combat-useful and it's not a move-equivalent action. So I'd expect it to be in the "an action" category.
Ah, your word choice is what confused me because you did say "5 foot step". Yes, moving 5 feet is different. But 5 foot stepping does not provoke, hence my confusion.
I agree that RAW isn't clear on this.
I'd think it would not be an action (and therefore allowed while Nauseated). The Actions in Combat table and the Miscellaneous Actions list don't necessarily contradict each other, since things that are not actions obviously work differently from other actions. RAW also offers us "Not an Action: Some activities are so minor that they are not even considered free actions. They literally don't take any time at all to do and are considered an inherent part of doing something else, such as nocking an arrow as part of an attack with a bow." as an expansion on what the "No Action" section means. Additionally, even though that is listed under Action Types, we are told "There are six types of actions: standard actions, move actions, full-round actions, swift actions, immediate actions, and free actions." So, No Action/Not an Action is not an action type.
The fact that 5ft steps are called out as free actions in the example is just wrong, and the text in the Miscellaneous Actions header of "The following actions ...", while unfortunate, is still consistent with the fact things that aren't actions are listed under Action Types, so it's more a typographical issue rather than contradictory information.
Yeah, the nausea FAQ was what led me to ask this, although I've had the question floating around my head for a while.
If it's not an action, it seems that it would work not only while nauseated but also while dazed or stunned.
nauseated states you may only take move actions.
You could use your move action to move five feet, but you couldn't five foot adjust and use the move action for something else.
Yeah, the nausea FAQ was what led me to ask this, although I've had the question floating around my head for a while.
If it's not an action, it seems that it would work not only while nauseated but also while dazed or stunned.
nauseated states you may only take move actions.
You could use your move action to move five feet, but you couldn't five foot adjust and use the move action for something else.
Nope. You can't 5' move, drop items or fall prone as there is no mechanic for reducing or increasing actions other than standard to move. Since you can only make move actions, that means you can't do both harder AND easier actions for some strange and bizarre reason I can't fathom...
That being said, I think the whole nauseated ruling is silly and I hope they change it. :P
Couldn't agree more.
Eh, I'd let them. Stumbling along at 5 feet sounds exactly like what a nasuated person would do.
You can do 5 foot as a move action, but it would not be the 5 foot adjustment that would save you from an AOO, because you're impaired by nausea. Anything that impairs movement means no 5 foot adjustment, but you can move 5 foot as a move action. (which will provoke).
Yeah, the nausea FAQ was what led me to ask this, although I've had the question floating around my head for a while.
If it's not an action, it seems that it would work not only while nauseated but also while dazed or stunned.
nauseated states you may only take move actions.
You could use your move action to move five feet, but you couldn't five foot adjust and use the move action for something else.
Nope. You can't 5' move, drop items or fall prone as there is no mechanic for reducing or increasing actions other than standard to move. Since you can only make move actions, that means you can't do both harder AND easier actions for some strange and bizarre reason I can't fathom...
That being said, I think the whole nauseated ruling is silly and I hope they change it. :PCouldn't agree more.
I'm not wrong.
You CAN use your move action to move 5 feet.
It is not a 5 foot adjust though, so it WOULD provoke AoO.
Move actions don't FORCE you to move your full move, you can move 5ft if you want.
alexd1976 - Graystone's "nope" was an agreement of what you said regarding what a player could not do.
Graystone was not disagreeing with you or calling you wrong.