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View Full Version : Rules Q&A Full-Round Actions and Multiple Attacks



SirNibbles
2017-06-12, 07:31 PM
When you take a full-round action, you are able to make use of iteratives, offhand strikes, and bonus attacks from Haste and the like.

"If you get more than one attack per round because your base attack bonus is high enough, because you fight with two weapons or a double weapon, or for some other reason, you must use a full-round action to be able to make your additional attacks." - Rules Compendium, page 17

The Decisive Strike ACF from the Player's Handbook II, page 51 states: "As a full-round action, make one attack with an unarmed strike or a special monk weapon, using your highest base attack bonus..."

Does the Decisive Strike text contradict the general rule (preventing bonus attacks gained from taking a full round action)? Certain abilities, such as the Whirlwind Attack feat, specifically mention that iteratives and other bonus attacks are sacrificed when making use of that ability.

"When you use the Whirlwind Attack feat, you also forfeit any bonus or extra attacks granted by other feats, spells, or abilities (such as the Cleave feat or the haste spell)." - Player's Handbook, page 102

Decisive Strike doesn't have this qualifier. Other classes also get a melee attack when performing a full-round action, such as the Havoc Mage PrC.

"Battlecast (Ex): A havoc mage gains the ability to cast spells of a certain level or lower while making a weapon attack. He may take a full-round action to attack and cast a spell. The
spell must be an arcane spell he knows of 2nd level or lower with a casting time of 1 standard action or less. When using his battlecast ability, a havoc mage may cast spells requiring somatic components even if he has no free hands. Using battlecast does not provoke attacks of opportunity." - Miniatures Handbook, page 20

Since the Havoc Mage is making an attack using a full-round action, should he not benefit from iteratives and bonus attacks?

Blu
2017-06-12, 07:51 PM
Thing is full attacking is one type of full round action, and the decisive strike counts as a full round action, not a full round attack.

SirNibbles
2017-06-12, 08:01 PM
Thing is full attacking is one type of full round action, and the decisive strike counts as a full round action, not a full round attack.

But you don't need a full attack to get multiple attacks, just a full-round action, according to RAW.

Blu
2017-06-12, 08:45 PM
But you don't need a full attack to get multiple attacks, just a full-round action, according to RAW.

But that quote(looking it up in the SRD) is just below the Full attack section of the types of full round action

Zaydos
2017-06-12, 09:06 PM
And in the Rules Compendium is in the section Full Attack Action which is defined on page 7 of the Rules Compendium as the most common type of full round action and is defined as a type of full round action on page 8's table. It'd be like saying all standard actions (such as casting a spell) gave you a free attack since they say "Doing so takes a standard action, or a part of a full-round action".

Twurps
2017-06-19, 10:40 AM
A full attack is an action on it's own right, not just 'any round with nothing but attacks in em'.
You can use a full-round action only once a round (barring action economy shenenigans). If you use it to full attack, you get iteratives, extra attacks from haste, etc. If you use it to 'decisive strike', you can't use it for a full attack, and don't get iteratives and/or extra attack from haste as those all require a full attack.