Commanding your Minion as an Activity

[Nefreet]

When you Command your Minion, must you issue both commands at the same time (such as "Strike that creature twice"), or can you issue the commands one at a time (such as "Strike that creature", wait to see the result, and then "Strike that other creature")?

To set the scene, an Animal Companion is adjacent to two enemies, and kills one on its first Strike. Could it then Strike the remaining creature, or does it lose its second action?

Relevant rules for Activities, Minions and Command.

[HumbleGamer]

Given how subordinate activities like the wolf "knockdown" work, I think you are allowed to do so.

I always considered that as a trade.

You can have your pet using 1 action for free ( at some point) but only between stride and strike, or you can command it by expending 1 action, and giving it 2 actions instead of one on exchange, and allowing them to also choose between support and advanced maneuver.

[Gary Bush]

From what I am reading, you can go either way. You will be spending two actions to command a minion anyways. Weather you give both commands at once or one at a time does not matter from the rules.

Animal companions are different, but your question didn't ask about them.

[Nefreet]

Oh, my apologies for not being more clear. This is regarding Animal Companions. They are Minions. Unless there's another rule I missed. Figured I'd ask in the broader sense, since this question would obviously apply to summoned creatures as well.

[Megistone]

You spend an action to command you minion throughout your turn; it does not have to happen in a discreet moment.
It's like raising a shield: the action cost reflects the fact that you are actively using the shield to deflect attacks, not that there is a precise moment where you put your shield up and keep it there for two seconds.

[pauljathome]

At every table I've been at (PFS and home games) the GM has been VERY liberal in what they'll allow an Animal Companion. Far more so than was the case in PF1.

I think the combination of the Animal Companions being weaker together with the fact that the character is spending an action have combined to make GMs realize that Animal Companions are not really over powerful any more and so do NOT reigning in.

In particular, at every table the player makes the choice action by action (although they DO have to decide if the Mature Companion is acting on its own or if the character is spending an action).

[Castilliano]

Megistone wrote:

You spend an action to command you minion throughout your turn; it does not have to happen in a discreet moment.

It's like raising a shield: the action cost reflects the fact that you are actively using the shield to deflect attacks, not that there is a precise moment where you put your shield up and keep it there for two seconds.

This.

As a narrative, it's taking up one-action worth of your time as you talk your Minion through their two actions. Not simultaneous if one parses the mechanics, but overlapping in story.
Otherwise it'd resemble RoboRally where you cross your fingers, give exact commands, and hope nothing unforeseen happens to your AC, which would be bizarre since you're right there commanding its every action.

I'd hope someone wouldn't be such a rules idolator in PF2 that this becomes an issue, not with PF2's overarching mantra of reasonableness in rules interpretations.

[Wheldrake]

AFAICT, the intent is for you to spend the action to command it, then it takes its 2 actions, then you take any remaining actions you might have for yourself.

If it's taking one independent action, that could take place any time before during or after your actions.

Why would it be any different?

[Castilliano]

Wheldrake wrote:

AFAICT, the intent is for you to spend the action to command it, then it takes its 2 actions, then you take any remaining actions you might have for yourself.

If it's taking one independent action, that could take place any time before during or after your actions.

Why would it be any different?

The order isn't the crux of this (since it seems everyone agrees the Minion can go during the master's turn.)

The thought is:
-Give commands (let's say on the master's first action in this case)
-Minion takes its first action, perhaps changing the situation, i.e. killing its original target, triggering a trap, etc.
-Minion takes what action now if that situation has changed? Was it preprogrammed, can it make adjustments on its own, or do commands keep coming from the master?
-PC proceeds w/ their two actions.

The solution is that the commanding (like Raising a Shield) is a state of affairs rather than a single moment (so NOT preprogrammed with two actions it MUST take). Otherwise there'd be a lot of missed or even suicidal actions taken by the Minion.
This might lead to issues when the first commanded action takes the Minion out of range of its master's voice/sight, in which case preprogrammed commands might be superior, though nothing states that wouldn't be an option if desired.