RSS Facebook Twitter Email
Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Rules Questions

Spring Attack, and the Attack Action

Rules Questions

Search Thread

Search this Thread:

So, I have a quick question for folks. Spring attack is an old favorite among rogues who want to get in, get their sneak attack, and get out, but the wording of it makes me curious.

When it says you may take a single attack, does that mean you may take a single attack action (thereby implying that you are using the standard action attack, and could do something like Vital Strike or Cleave as part of a spring attack), or is it just as straightforward as it says, meaning that using spring attack is a full-round action that lets you move, attack, then move again?

I ask, in particular, because I'm thinking on combining spring attack with spell casting. However, it seems unlikely you could cast, move, touch, and move. You'd likely have to cast, hold, and then the next round duck in, make the touch attack, and then duck back out again. Sound about right?

No. Spring attack is a full-round action that lets you make an attack roll in the middle.

As straightforward as it says. Clarified in the vital strike FAQ question.

FAQ wrote:

Vital Strike: Can I use this with Spring Attack, or on a charge?

No. Vital Strike can only be used as part of an attack action, which is a specific kind of standard action. Spring Attack is a special kind of full-round action that includes the ability to make one melee attack, not one attack action. Charging uses similar language and can also not be used in combination with Vital Strike.

fly by attack is what would allow you to do what you want.
The Exchange Owner - D20 Hobbies

But fly by doesn't exempt you from AoO.

There we go. The description of spring attack doesn't state that it's a full-round action in the CRB, but I had a feeling it was. Thanks much!
Neal Litherland wrote:
There we go. The description of spring attack doesn't state that it's a full-round action in the CRB, but I had a feeling it was. Thanks much!

It doesn't? :O

PRD, Spring Attack wrote:


Benefit: As a full-round action...

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Rules Questions / Spring Attack, and the Attack Action All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.
Recent threads in Rules Questions