Fivey: Action Economy & Fighter Feats

Exploring a simple action economy, as well as feats which might interface well with this system by bypassing its limitations.

Turn Actions ◆◆⟐

All characters can perform 2 actions ◆ during their turn, as well as 1 reaction ⟐ during the rest of the round (i.e. someone else’s turn). The two main action options are attacking and moving.

Attack ◆

The character rolls d20 plus their relevant ability score; if the total meets or exceeds the target’s armor class, they deal damage equal to their ability score. The ability score is doubled for attack rolls if the character is either proficient with or attuned to their weapon. For example, a character with 2 STR would add 4 to their attack roll and deal 2 damage if they were proficient or attuned.

If the unmodified die roll is 20, the attacker doubles their total damage; this is called a critical hit. For example, our character from before would deal 4 damage instead of 2.

The attacker rolls with advantage if the target is vulnerable to the attack’s damage type, or with disadvantage if the target is resistant.

A free attack is one that does not cost the attacker ◆ to attempt, and is often triggered by a condition in a feat.

Move ◆

The character moves a number of paces equal to their move rating.

Jumping across a distance costs twice the move rating than if it were traversed normally.

Other Actions

Characters may acquire new special actions and reactions as feats from their background or experience, though mundane actions are possible without feats.

Most actions cost 1 ◆, though some actions may cost up to 2 ◆ based on how tedious they are. Particularly long actions may take multiple turns to resolve; meanwhile, the acting character cannot participate in the encounter. If an action is opposed, it requires a check or contest to succeed. Insignificant actions which do not require sustained effort do not require ◆ either.

Below are examples:

Action	Notes	Cost
Cast spell	Cast a spell; targets may attempt a save.	◆◆
Cease spell	Break concentration on an ongoing spell.	—
Conversation	Exchanging words. Just chitchat.	—
Disarm opponent	Check DEX.	◆
Drop item	Quickly drop something on the floor.	—
Help ally	Give advantage to an ally’s (non-combat) check.	⟐
Hide in shadows	Check DEX versus highest opposed INT.	◆
Interact with item	For example, activate a magical device.	◆◆
Push something over	Check STR.	◆
Retrieve item	Take an item out of your backpack.	◆
Stash item	Put an item away in your backpack.	◆

Fighter Feats

These feats are designed to interact and, often, bypass the combat action economy. They also encode many potential edge cases in combat, by treating them as special abilities rather than as situational rules tucked away somewhere in a book.

1. If your attack roll exceeds the target’s AC by 10 or more, deal critical (double) damage.
2. After you defeat an enemy, make a free attack against another adjacent to you.
3. If an enemy moves out of your range, make a free attack against them.
4. If you spend 2 ◆ attacking an enemy, your mount makes a free attack against them.
5. After attacking an enemy, they must spend 2 ◆ to attack someone else on their next turn.
6. Spend 1 ◆ to give an ally a free attack against an enemy adjacent to them.
7. When an adjacent enemy attacks an adjacent ally, impose disadvantage on them.
8. When hit, spend 1 ⟐ to shatter your shield in order to negate any damage dealt.
9. Gain advantage if you attack an enemy after moving at least 2 paces straight towards them.
10. Gain advantage if you attack a surprised enemy.

Simulations

Having run some simulations, I think a strong early-level character (attack score of 2 or 4 w/ proficiency) works well with the following hit-point quantities.

• 3 hit points : 2 attacks to defeat
• 6 hit points : 3 attacks to defeat
• 12 hit points : 4 attacks to defeat
• 16 hit points : 6 attacks to defeat
• 20 hit points : 7 attacks to defeat
• 24 hit points : 9 attacks to defeat

A character with an attack score of 3 (or 4 w/ proficiency) usually needs just one attack to clear enemies with 6 or less hit points, assuming an attack chance greater than 50%.