What kind of action is it to hover while flying?

[Belafon]

According to the version 3.0 CRB

Acrobatics wrote:

If you have average maneuverability and at least 5 ranks in Acrobatics or if you have perfect maneuverability, you can hover automatically without attempting a check; this does not require a move action.

Flying (page 259) wrote:

If you have average maneuverability, all of the options in the fly task of Acrobatics are available to you. If you have perfect maneuverability, you do not have to attempt an Acrobatics check to use the avoid falling damage or hover options; you automatically succeed at these options (unless you are unconscious), though you can still attempt an Acrobatics check to hover as a swift action instead of a move action.

So which is it?

If I have perfect maneuverability, Acrobatics says that I can hover without spending a move action or attempting a check. Flying says that I can hover automatically, but if I don't attempt the check it's a move action. Or a swift action if I do succeed on the check.

[Nefreet]

Ever since the Errata I've been running it as no action, if you have 5 ranks in Acrobatics.

It was fixed so flying drones could operate and flying enemies could full attack.

[BigNorseWolf]

Since they deliberately changed the line in acrobatics to be a non action its a non action.

[Claxon]

Personally I preferred the action tax on flight and gave a special exception to Hover Drones specifically.

This keeps flight from being a go to option for the party.

The rules however, have changed it. And now it is not an action if you have perfect flight or average with 5 ranks in Acrobatics.

[Garretmander]

Claxon wrote:

This keeps flight from being a go to option for the party.

I mean... Force soles mk II existed before the errata.

[Nefreet]

^ absolutely

No need to invest in Acrobatics, and they work in zero-G.

Although not as great of an option if your base speed is slow.

[Claxon]

And prevents you from having other foot augments, isn't available until level 8, has a price associated with it. Where there are other options (including races with flight) that are lower level and cheaper.

And in my mind, that is balanced out by the action economy cost.

The force soles are balanced by other things.

[Belafon]

For the record, I agree that it should be no action and automatic for perfect maneuverability or average maneuverability with 5 acrobatics ranks. Looking at the errata, that's what changed from v2.0 to v3.0.

Guess the contradiction in the flying rules was missed during revision. Well, if enough people mash the FAQ button it'll get noted for errata in v4.0.