Doing X as a standard action when X usually takes (much) longer

[Pippin]

What tricks are there to do anything as a standard action (or as a full-round action) rather than the normal time?

I'm already aware of Arcane Spellsurge and Uncanny Forethought for wizards, but my question is broader and tackles any class.

[frogglesmash]

Well there's always Time Stop and Temporal Acceleration.

[sleepyphoenixx]

Depending on what rules you follow spell-like abilities take a standard action unless they state otherwise (if you use Rules Compendium).


Using a spell-like ability usually takes 1 standard action
and provokes attacks of opportunity unless otherwise noted.
If the spell-like ability duplicates a spell that has a casting
time of less than 1 standard action, the spell-like ability has
that casting time

If you use the SRD however that doesn't work.


A spell-like ability takes the same amount of time to complete as the spell that it mimics (usually 1 standard action) unless otherwise stated.

[gorfnab]

Imbue Arrow from Arcane Archer can be used to cast spells as a standard action.

[Hiro Quester]

Limited wish has a casting time of 1 minute [edit: standard action], no matter the casting time of the spell you duplicate.

The same goes for casting shadow versions of other spells. Shadow evocation and shadow conjuration (and their "greater" versions) are both a standard action to cast, no matter what evocation or conjuration they are "shadowing".

[avr]

Lesser restoration as a potion rather than a 3 round spell is an old trick, enlarge person as a potion can bring a 1 round spell down to a standard or a std+move, depending on if you have the potion in hand already.

White raven tactics can get you a couple of actions in a row, similarly for a factotum's cunning surge. Psionics gives us the hustle power for an extra move action, which may make a full-round action look like a standard action.

[WhamBamSam]

The Dismount Attack skill trick lets you attack an adjacent opponent "as if you had charged that opponent." Combine with Pounce and you can full attack as a standard action. It's not on remotely the same scale as casting time reduction, but if you can set up the dismount properly, it can be useful.

The Spellsword Channel Spell ability will let you drastically reduce the casting time of some spells. Ordained Champion's version, unfortunately, restricts you to spells with casting times of a standard action or less.

[137beth]

Limited wish has a casting time of 1 minute, no matter the casting time of the spell you duplicate.


1 standard action, not one minute:smallsmile:
Otherwise, yea.

[Saintheart]

Any rune scribed using Inscribe Rune (FRCS). Any divine spell (or any arcane spell prepared/cast as a divine spell via Alternate Source Spell or Southern Magician) can be placed into a rune. It's by RAW "a spell cast as a rune." All the casting time for the spell cast as a rune is spent at the point of its creation. When triggered, the spell takes effect instantly and targets the person who triggers the rune. A questionable errata says that triggering a rune deliberately is a standard action: therefore, for any spell with a duration longer than a standard action -- e.g. any summoning spell -- this is the definition of doing X as a standard action when X usually takes much longer. Even Distilled Joy, with a casting time of one day, can be worked like this.

Combine this with the Runecaster's capability to make permanent runes -- not to mention runes that can be triggered when read or passed -- and watch as the action economy collapses around your ears.

[Allanimal]

Chronocharm of the uncaring archmage (MIC p86) 1/day cast one spell of 3rd level or lower with casting time of 1 full round as a standard action.

[Hiro Quester]

1 standard action, not one minute:smallsmile:
Otherwise, yea.

Oops. Yes. Slip of the keyboard/brain system. I'll edit that post. Thanks.

[Pippin]

Alright. I was asking this in the hopes of discovering a trick that would let Psions be as cheesy as spellcasters. But it seems that the only way for a manifester to do X as a standard action, would be to Plane Shift away to a timeless plane, do X, then come back.

[frogglesmash]

Alright. I was asking this in the hopes of discovering a trick that would let Psions be as cheesy as spellcasters. But it seems that the only way for a manifester to do X as a standard action, would be to Plane Shift away to a timeless plane, do X, then come back.

Psions may not be able to shorten the duration they have to spend on various actions, but they can completely disregard the action economy with much less effort then arcane casters. You only need two powers to ignore the action economy entirely, three to four powers and a feat or two if you want to kill it and desecrate its corpse. The only problem with these types of shenanigans is that you burn through your power points really fast, but if your DM allows this kind of thing than an an infinite recharge trick isn't going to faze them.

[Darrin]

Spell-Storing Weapon (DMG): free action to activate after an attack action.
Golden Desert Honey (Complete Mage): summon spells as a standard action.
Glyph Seal (MIC): free action to trigger.
Skull Talisman (Frostburn): standard action to activate.
Shallantha's Delicate Disk (Lost Empires of Faerun): standard action to break.
Chardalyn (Lords of Darkness/Silver Marches WE): standard/attack action to break.