Ready action

[HumbleGamer]

Does it require for the character to expend 2 action and also use its reaction or by expending 2 actions to prepare the ready action you are allowed to use it for free ( free action which work as a reaction because of the trigger?).

[The Raven Black]

First one. The Ready activity does not give you an additional reaction.

[Nefreet]

I still occasionally see PF1 converts making reach weapon Fighters wanting to combine a Readied Strike with their Attack of Opportunity. So when I explain they're both now Reactions it's always a bit of a letdown.

[breithauptclan]

The Raven Black wrote:

First one.

Agreed. And yes, Ready is rather expensive. Quite flexible, but definitely niche use.

Also to note, your choice of trigger for the reaction is more limited than what the printed reactions are allowed to have for their triggers. For Ready, you have to be able to notice the trigger in-character. So it can't be based entirely on game mechanics like, 'the enemy uses a particular concentrate action', or 'this person drops to less than 22 HP'. But even those have some gray areas. For example, I would probably allow a trigger of 'this enemy sustains their Flaming Sphere spell' - even though that is a particular concentrate action. Because directing or controlling a Flaming Sphere is something that could be noticed by someone who was specifically looking for it.

[Castilliano]

PF2's Ready does have the benefit of not shifting your initiative down, so you don't have to wait a whole round to go again. So it's still quite valuable, especially if paired with a 1-action Flourish. I like the idea of using it w/ Skirmish Strike (Ranger/Rogue 6) for excellent positioning, either flanking, guarding a larger area, or backpedaling perhaps in a way that makes them need to spend an extra action closing or lose their flank on you.