Can you use a free action when flat-footed?

[incog64]

Can you use a free action when flat-footed?

Thanks in advance.

[Shadowquad]

The following argument is inspired from pages 7-9 of the Rules Compendium.

The general rule is that actions can only be taken during you turn, including free actions.
Some notable exceptions are immediate actions, and talking, which is a special type of free action, that can be taken even when it isn't your turn.

Immediate actions can't be taken when flat-footed, but there is no rule stating that being flat-footed prevents you from taking free actions.
When you're flat-footed, you can take free actions on your turn, and you can talk. Same as when you're not flat-footed.
Note that it is a common misconception that any free action can be taken out of turn: it's wrong.

[Gruftzwerg]

Can you use a free action when flat-footed?

Thanks in advance.

Normally you can take free actions only when it is your turn.

If you are flat-footed you haven't acted yet. Thus you can't use any free actions yet.


Note: "Immediate Action"
This is a term that was later introduced into 3.5 and which can be used outside of your turn.

IIRC there are some instances (in early 3.5) where you are explicitly given the permission to use a certain "free action" outside of your turn. But those are always specific exceptions. IIRC saying/shouting something quickly is one of those "free actions".




Special:
Normally when you are flat-footed it's at the beginning of a fight when you haven't noticed your enemies so far. Remind you that if you want to react to something, you first need to be aware of it. If you can't see/spot the rogue, you can't use an immediate action to teleport away from his sneak attack. But you could use some kind of immediate action heal or buff spell after you have been attack but before you have acted normally (on your turn).


It depends heavily on the circumstances. Imagine a sneak attacker. If you haven't notices him, you can't yell for alarm/help before his attack. If you survive the attack you could immediately shout out, even if it is not your turn.

[Khedrac]

In general what and how many free actions you can take are at the discretion of the DM - so it depends on the DM and what they think of what you are trying to do.
If you are trying to do something in reaction to being surprised (and don't have uncanny dodge) then I would expect most DMs to be starting from the "probably not" position when considering the request - pretty much the entire point of being flat-footed is that you cannot react yet.