Yes, this mostly sounds accurate. When a PC readies an action, it can be the attack action. I think the only detail you have wrong is that they do not get to use their reaction on their turn, because when you ready an action it uses your Reaction to trigger it. So... let's say that you have a Wizard who readies their action to cast FIrebolt on the first enemy they see, but at the same time an ally nearby is attempting to climb slippery cliff and falls... if the wizard uses their reaction to cast Featherfall and protect their ally, then they cannot use their readied action when an enemy appears, beause they have no reaction left.
Yes, that is correct. The important thing is that, until a player actually uses their Readied action, they can still use their Reaction for any other reaction that might come along... so if a PC chooses to ready their attack it doesn't lock them out of doing other reactions.
One important detail is a readied action only gets you one attack. So a level 5 fighter readying an action only gets to attack once, not their normal twice, with the readied attack.
Another thing to note is that Readying a spell uses that spell-slot. So if you ready Fireball and then instead cast Featherfall with your reaction on a falling party member, the spell-slot you used to "Ready" Fireball is still used up, whether you get to cast the spell or not. Readying a spell also uses Concentration, so if the Wizard is holding Fireball and gets hit with an attack before the triggering action, then they must making a Constitution Saving Throw to retain Concentration on the spell, even if the spell itself is not a "Concentration" spell.
Yes, that is correct. The important thing is that, until a player actually uses their Readied action, they can still use their Reaction for any other reaction that might come along... so if a PC chooses to ready their attack it doesn't lock them out of doing other reactions.
One final note is that if they do use their Reaction to do something else, then they can no longer perform the action that they had chosen to Ready.
(Just in case it wasn't explicitly clear from above.)
Another thing to note is that Readying a spell uses that spell-slot. So if you ready Fireball and then instead cast Featherfall with your reaction on a falling party member, the spell-slot you used to "Ready" Fireball is still used up, whether you get to cast the spell or not. Readying a spell also uses Concentration, so if the Wizard is holding Fireball and gets hit with an attack before the triggering action, then they must making a Constitution Saving Throw to retain Concentration on the spell, even if the spell itself is not a "Concentration" spell.
Meaning the Wizard wasted two spell slots? One to ready Fireball and the other to cast Featherfall
Another thing to note is that Readying a spell uses that spell-slot. So if you ready Fireball and then instead cast Featherfall with your reaction on a falling party member, the spell-slot you used to "Ready" Fireball is still used up, whether you get to cast the spell or not. Readying a spell also uses Concentration, so if the Wizard is holding Fireball and gets hit with an attack before the triggering action, then they must making a Constitution Saving Throw to retain Concentration on the spell, even if the spell itself is not a "Concentration" spell.
Meaning the Wizard wasted two spell slots? One to ready Fireball and the other to cast Featherfall
No, only the spell slot used to ready fireball is “wasted,” the one used to cast feather fall isn’t “wasted,” it’s just “spent” like normal.
Another thing to note is that Readying a spell uses that spell-slot. So if you ready Fireball and then instead cast Featherfall with your reaction on a falling party member, the spell-slot you used to "Ready" Fireball is still used up, whether you get to cast the spell or not. Readying a spell also uses Concentration, so if the Wizard is holding Fireball and gets hit with an attack before the triggering action, then they must making a Constitution Saving Throw to retain Concentration on the spell, even if the spell itself is not a "Concentration" spell.
Meaning the Wizard wasted two spell slots? One to ready Fireball and the other to cast Featherfall
No, only the spell slot used to ready fireball is “wasted,” the one used to cast feather fall isn’t “wasted,” it’s just “spent” like normal.
Ok, "Wasted" was the wrong choice of words for the second, but you answered my question, so thank you!
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Can a PC Ready an Attack Action?
If so, the Ready just means PC would act later out of turn but only IF the trigger stated actually happens…
Before PC’s next turn, correct?
So a PC gets to Move, Bonus Action & Reaction on their turn…
Then their (main) Action could happen later outside of their turn but prior to next turn
Or else they lose their Action… correct?
Yes, this mostly sounds accurate. When a PC readies an action, it can be the attack action. I think the only detail you have wrong is that they do not get to use their reaction on their turn, because when you ready an action it uses your Reaction to trigger it. So... let's say that you have a Wizard who readies their action to cast FIrebolt on the first enemy they see, but at the same time an ally nearby is attempting to climb slippery cliff and falls... if the wizard uses their reaction to cast Featherfall and protect their ally, then they cannot use their readied action when an enemy appears, beause they have no reaction left.
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Ahhh okay
So therefore the “Ready” action IS the PCs Reaction
And all creatures only get one Reaction per turn… correct?
Yes, that is correct. The important thing is that, until a player actually uses their Readied action, they can still use their Reaction for any other reaction that might come along... so if a PC chooses to ready their attack it doesn't lock them out of doing other reactions.
Watch Crits for Breakfast, an adults-only RP-Heavy Roll20 Livestream at twitch.tv/afterdisbooty
And now you too can play with the amazing art and assets we use in Roll20 for our campaign at Hazel's Emporium
You, my dear TransmorpherDDS, are a genius 🧠
Thanks for breaking this down for me
Luckily I don’t get embarrassed easily or else I’d probably never ask this question
Knowing I’ve been studying this material for well over a year now 😞
Going to put up another post shortly… hoping you chime in to save the day 🥹 🤞🏾
One important detail is a readied action only gets you one attack. So a level 5 fighter readying an action only gets to attack once, not their normal twice, with the readied attack.
Ahhh… very good to know
Another thing to note is that Readying a spell uses that spell-slot. So if you ready Fireball and then instead cast Featherfall with your reaction on a falling party member, the spell-slot you used to "Ready" Fireball is still used up, whether you get to cast the spell or not. Readying a spell also uses Concentration, so if the Wizard is holding Fireball and gets hit with an attack before the triggering action, then they must making a Constitution Saving Throw to retain Concentration on the spell, even if the spell itself is not a "Concentration" spell.
Wow…
I LOVE this game 💕
Its really genius how these game mechanics work
And furthermore how they play out in game
One final note is that if they do use their Reaction to do something else, then they can no longer perform the action that they had chosen to Ready.
(Just in case it wasn't explicitly clear from above.)
Meaning the Wizard wasted two spell slots? One to ready Fireball and the other to cast Featherfall
No, only the spell slot used to ready fireball is “wasted,” the one used to cast feather fall isn’t “wasted,” it’s just “spent” like normal.
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Ok, "Wasted" was the wrong choice of words for the second, but you answered my question, so thank you!