Divination Foresight ability: How limited is it?

[Rumo]

Hi,

today I found myself wondering about the limitations of the Divination specialist's Foresight (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/wizard/arcane-schools/paizo---arcane-schools/classic-arcane-schools/divination/foresight) ability.
The text says: "At the beginning of your turn, you may, as a free action [...]". I assume that I cannot use it reactively for saving throws against traps and unexpected spells. Means that in a difficult combat, Foresight should be used every turn, just in case - 9 (later more) uses per day should make that possible.
What is less clear to me: Can I use it to reroll initiative? If this roll is made at the beginning of the first combat turn, then it seems to me like this should not be a problem.

Then there is Foretell. Nice ability, but is it used as a standard action? Swift action? Free action? The website does not seem to give any clue on this.

[Jack_Simth]

Hi,

today I found myself wondering about the limitations of the Divination specialist's Foresight (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/wizard/arcane-schools/paizo---arcane-schools/classic-arcane-schools/divination/foresight) ability.
The text says: "At the beginning of your turn, you may, as a free action [...]". I assume that I cannot use it reactively for saving throws against traps and unexpected spells. Means that in a difficult combat, Foresight should be used every turn, just in case - 9 (later more) uses per day should make that possible.
What is less clear to me: Can I use it to reroll initiative? If this roll is made at the beginning of the first combat turn, then it seems to me like this should not be a problem.
You should be able to use it to roll saves - you roll a d20 at the beginning of your turn as a free action. You then expend it at some point later. It's not a re-roll, it's a pre-roll that you can choose not to use.

By my reading: It could, in theory, work on initiative... however, you'd have to use it before initiative is rolled, which means you'd need to know in advance exactly when there's going to be a call for an initiative check. So just before you burst into the Big Bad's throne room, you could use it, and take that for your initiative... assuming Big Bad is home and you all go for combat immediately rather than taking a moment to talk. If, however, a bandit sneaks up on you and puts a dagger in your kidneys, you're rolling initiative before you have that free action at the beginning of your turn.

[Rumo]

Yes, if I anticipate that a spell will be cast, then I can use it. But once an enemy Wizard throws lets say a Fireball on me, I cannot spend my free action to pre-roll (yes, that's better phrased) my Reflex save, right?

[grarrrg]

Then there is Foretell. Nice ability, but is it used as a standard action? Swift action? Free action? The website does not seem to give any clue on this.

Abilities that don't list an action are assumed to be a Standard Action to active (exceptions being things that would be utterly pointless as a Standard action).

[Jack_Simth]

Yes, if I anticipate that a spell will be cast, then I can use it. But once an enemy Wizard throws lets say a Fireball on me, I cannot spend my free action to pre-roll (yes, that's better phrased) my Reflex save, right?

As near as I can tell from the wording, it goes something like this:

You choose to roll your pre-roll at the beginning of your turn, and get a 19.
You cast a Fireball at your opponent. You're not rolling any d20's, so you don't use up your pre-roll. You use your move action to draw a dagger, as you don't like being unarmed. You end your turn.
An opponent casts Phantasmal Killer at you. Knowing Will is your good save, and you've got another coming if you fail, you hedge your bets and roll Will, not using your pre-roll.
You fail the Will roll, and then knowing that Fort is your poor save, you use your pre-roll on the Fort save. You live. Yay! Go you!
An opponent zips past you. You take an AoO. You've used up your pre-roll, and have to roll it.

You could have instead used the Pre-roll on the Will save. Or you could have risked the fort as well and used the pre-roll on the AoO. Decision is made when the roll is requested.

[Rumo]

Thank you, that's both pretty much what I found to be the most likely interpretation.