Downgrading actions

[wraithstrike]

A question has come up a few times on the forums, and the rules don't exactly allow it, but they do hint towards it.

CRB wrote:

An action's type essentially tells you how long the action takes to perform

Here is the exact question.

Can you use an action type to perform an act that is normally assigned to an action type that normally takes up less time?

If the answer is yes then I have "bonus considerations" at the bottom of this post.

Examples:

Can I use a standard or move action to do an act that normally requires a swift action?

Cam I use a standard or move action to do an act that normally requires an immediate action.

--------------------
Situation where this might matter:

Round 1: I use my immediate action to do something. By the rules I lose my swift action on my next turn if the immediate action is taken between turns.

Round 2: I want to use my move or standard action to do an act that normally requires a swift action.
-------------------------------------
Bonus considerations:
The following assume I can use a move or standard as a swift action.

1. "If I can use a move action to perform a swift action can I still do so when I am limited to only a move action such as from the nauseated condition?

2. If I use a Swift action in a round, can I use a Move or Standard action to perform another act that calls for a swift action?

PS: It is understood that a standard action can be used for a move action. This FAQ is more about replacing swift and immediate actions.

[Saethori]

You cannot use a standard action or move action to use a swift action, without the aid of that particular magic item mentioned in the other thread.

[wraithstrike]

Saethori wrote:

You cannot use a standard action or move action to use a swift action, without the aid of that particular magic item mentioned in the other thread.

I agree, but others do not so I figure I might as well try to get an official answer. Otherwise, it will keep coming up.

[Fuzzy-Wuzzy]

You know that adding bonus questions makes it less likely they'll make a FAQ for it, right? They can't mark a faq requests as closed unless they've answered everything in it, "bonus" or not. That's why the Rules Forum FAQ recommends asking a single question all by its lonesome.

[Saethori]

In the absence of rules stating you can do a certain thing with game mechanics, you should not be able to.

The rules specify specifically that you get only one swift action a turn. This is the general rule about swift actions, so you would need a specific exception, such as the Corset of Delicate Moves, to become exempt from it.

That above item, by the way, would be utterly useless if you could just automatically use move actions for swifts. And while abilities or items failing at their intended purpose is nothing new,I feel we should at least assume to start that they might not be.

[My Self]

There are only three action conversions you can do regularly that are explicitly spelled out in the CRB.

Full Round -> Standard + Move
Standard + Move -> Full Round
Standard -> Move

Aforementioned Corset of Delicate Moves lets you perform a fourth:

Move -> Swift

Since there are no rules stating you can perform other action economy conversions by default, you cannot use an action to perform an action type that takes up less time, unless it is one of the three conversions up top, you are subject to a spell that alters your action economy, or you possess an item or ability that allows you to defy the regular action conversions.