Action Order

[slaughterj]

By default, people act in Dex order. Things like presence attacks, holding action, blocking, etc. can change that order.

 

What all can change the order?

 

Does the order return to Dex order thereafter, or what?

[Rapier]

Re: Action Order

 

Yes, once whatever 'action' you took takes place the DEX order reverts to normal.

 

Characters with Mental Powers on their EGO instead of DEX (but still can't take physical actions until their DEX).

 

There are a number of actions that can change the DEX order but Lightning Reflexes seems to be the most direct and normal.

[dmjalund]

Re: Action Order

 

Is there a version of Lightning Reflexes for Mental Powers?

[IndianaJoe3]

Re: Action Order

 

Is there a version of Lightning Reflexes for Mental Powers?

 

You could stick the Modifiers used in Lightning Reflexes onto EGO instead of DEX.

[ghost-angel]

Re: Action Order

 

The Advanced Players Guide contains Mental Lightning Reflexes.

[Matt Holck]

Re: Action Order

 

Presence attacks could also be initiate on ego

 

what is interesting to me is the counter actions

when a character holds his action until it perceives the opponents action

going on the same initiative as the opponent

In my group, we handle this with a contested dexterity rolls

[prestidigitator]

Re: Action Order

 

Presence attacks could also be initiate on ego

 

what is interesting to me is the counter actions

when a character holds his action until it perceives the opponents action

going on the same initiative as the opponent

In my group, we handle this with a contested dexterity rolls

 

Presence attacks don't have to be based on Ego. They are an action that takes no time, and can be performed any time whatsoever, even completely out of turn.

 

Contested Dex rolls are part of the standard system when someone wants to use a Delayed Phase to interrupt someone else's action.

[Bodkins Odds]

Re: Action Order

 

Don't forget that if you share your next phase with someone you've successfully blocked, you go before him that phase regardless of DEX.

[slaughterj]

Re: Action Order

 

Don't forget that if you share your next phase with someone you've successfully blocked' date=' you go before him that phase regardless of DEX.[/quote']

 

I believe in that case you basically jump up the Dex order (though if your foe has a higher Speed and therefore gets an action before you, that seems to not to be particularly useful - I guess you could just block again?).

 

For presence attacks, you delay the foe.

 

I'm guessing there are some other circumstances that shift one of these two ways, but it sounds like all of them are transient and nothing shifts permanently (not counting Lightning Reflexes, which is basically just limited Dex).

[jtelson]

Re: Action Order

 

I'm guessing there are some other circumstances that shift one of these two ways' date=' but it sounds like all of them are transient and nothing shifts permanently (not counting Lightning Reflexes, which is basically just limited Dex).[/quote']

 

If you're looking for an ability that changes when opponents act (Minor paralytic effects - nerve strikes, poison gasses etc, Distractions - optical flashes, peripheral issusions) you should look at Drain or Change Environment (not specifically listed but certainly in the spirit of the power - probably at the 2-3 point level)

[slaughterj]

Re: Action Order

 

If you're looking for an ability that changes when opponents act (Minor paralytic effects - nerve strikes' date=' poison gasses etc, Distractions - optical flashes, peripheral issusions) you should look at Drain or Change Environment (not specifically listed but certainly in the spirit of the power - probably at the 2-3 point level)[/quote']

 

Ah, so a Drain Dex may have an effect for multiple rounds of temporarily lowering action order, that's a good alternate example.

[Netzilla]

Re: Action Order

 

Ah' date=' so a Drain Dex may have an effect for multiple rounds of temporarily lowering action order, that's a good alternate example.[/quote']

 

Also, if you're using the optional Impairing or Disabling rules, certain types of damage lower DEX for at least the duration of a combat.

 

However, most Initiative modifiers are temporary in nature (including the Hurry and Snap Shot optional Combat Maneuvers). Anything longer-term generally has to be built as a power.