Author Topic: Can you Charge on an extra action?  (Read 2443 times)

Offline Shadowstalker

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Can you Charge on an extra action?
« on: March 30, 2013, 11:32:05 PM »
Just wondering, in 3.5, can you use the Charge action on an extra granted action, e.g. if an ally uses the Clarion Call (White Raven) manoeuvre to give you an extra move action? Normally, you can Charge only on a full-round action, unless you are restricted to a move action or a standard action only (in which case your Charge distance is up to your speed, rather than twice your speed) - would this qualify? What if you granted yourself the extra move action, using a Belt of Battle or the Quicksilver Motion manoeuvre?

I'm inclined to say 'yes' (after all, it would be quite cinematic to have a character charge in, cut a mook in half (full-round action), then continue the charge (extra move action, e.g. from Belt of Battle or Quicksilver Motion) and cut down the BBEG), but wanted to get some opinions on this first.

Offline Jackinthegreen

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Re: Can you Charge on an extra action?
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2013, 12:32:44 AM »
The only time you can normally charge as anything less than a full-round action is if you're limited to a single move or standard action for the round.  So if you were able to make only a standard or move action normally, then it looks like it might work since you got another move action for the round.

However, if you are able to use the full round, then you can't make a charge attack as a standard or move because you weren't limited to a standard or move during your turn.

It -might- work if the source of getting the extra action didn't occur on your turn.  For instance, if someone else used part of their turn's actions to give you an extra move or standard, then it might be possible under the rules to do the charge assuming the character has to take the action immediately.

Those are my initial thoughts.  We'll see if they change as I look more into the situation.

Offline Shadowstalker

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Re: Can you Charge on an extra action?
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2013, 01:20:37 AM »
That seems a bit nonsensical, though, being able to double-charge during a surprise round because you only get a standard action (charge as standard action, then swift action to activate Belt of Battle or Quicksilver Motion, then charge again with the extra move action), but not being able to double charge during a normal round even though you have more time...

Offline Chrononaut

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Re: Can you Charge on an extra action?
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2013, 04:08:35 AM »
If you're looking for a cinematic charge like that, boots of the battle charger (MiC) lets you charge as a standard action. Combo that with a belt of battle (MiC again) and you can in fact ramp your way through two guys on a charge in your opening round.

Of course if you mean to plow through things on a charge, lance of the neverending charge (3.0 A&E) + great cleave (core feat) explicitly lets you plow through things in your path. If you can mounted pounce, ask your DM if you can just spread the attacks out in a line with your ride-by-attacks instead of just cleaves like the lance says, on the chance that you miss/roll a nat 1 or something withstandinates and the cleaves end.


Offline rot42

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Re: Can you Charge on an extra action?
« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2013, 07:14:35 PM »
Being restricted to just a Move action prevents charging:
Quote from: Rules Compendium 27
Restricted Activity
If you're unable to take a full round's worth of actions on your turn, such as during a surprise round, you can charge as a standard action. In this case, you can move up to your speed rather than up to double your speed. All other rules for charging still apply.
Emphasis added.

Offline Shadowstalker

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Re: Can you Charge on an extra action?
« Reply #5 on: March 31, 2013, 08:39:15 PM »
Being restricted to just a Move action prevents charging:
Quote from: Rules Compendium 27
Restricted Activity
If you're unable to take a full round's worth of actions on your turn, such as during a surprise round, you can charge as a standard action. In this case, you can move up to your speed rather than up to double your speed. All other rules for charging still apply.
Emphasis added.

According to the SRD:

If you are able to take only a standard action or a move action on your turn, you can still charge, but you are only allowed to move up to your speed (instead of up to double your speed). You can’t use this option unless you are restricted to taking only a standard action or move action on your turn.

Offline Vicerious

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Re: Can you Charge on an extra action?
« Reply #6 on: April 01, 2013, 12:36:21 PM »
The Rule Compendium supersedes the SRD.
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Offline RedWarlock

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Re: Can you Charge on an extra action?
« Reply #7 on: April 01, 2013, 03:47:54 PM »
Either way, for this, I'd say no. Critical line in either set of rules:

"If you're unable to take ... on your turn"

In any case, you ARE able to take a full action on your turn, you are just getting an extra action in there to do something more. Any situation of extra actions otherwise are not on your turn, and also do not apply. It's basic if>then logic.
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