Move Action
A move action allows you to move your speed or perform an action that takes a similar amount of time. See Table: Move Actions. You can take a move action in place of a standard action. If you move no actual distance in a round (commonly because you have swapped your move for one or more equivalent actions), you can take one 5-foot step either before, during, or after the action.
The simplest move action is moving your speed. If you take this kind of move action during your turn, you can’t also take a 5-foot step. Many nonstandard modes of movement are covered under this category, including climbing (up to one-quarter of your speed) and swimming (up to one-quarter of your speed).
Draw or Sheathe a Weapon
Drawing a weapon so that you can use it in combat or putting it away so that you have a free hand, requires a move action. This action also applies to weapon-like objects carried in easy reach, such as wands. If your weapon or weapon-like object is stored in a pack or otherwise out of easy reach, treat this action as retrieving a stored item. If you have a base attack bonus of +1 or higher, you may draw a weapon as a free action combined with a regular move. If you have the Two-Weapon Fighting feat, you can draw two light or one-handed weapons in the time it would normally take you to draw one. Drawing ammunition for use with a ranged weapon (such as arrows, bolts, sling bullets, or shuriken) is a free action.
Ready or Loose a Shield
Strapping a shield to your arm to gain its shield bonus to your AC, or unstrapping and dropping a shield so you can use your shield hand for another purpose, requires a move action. If you have a base attack bonus of +1 or higher, you can ready or loose a shield as a free action combined with a regular move. Dropping a carried (but not worn) shield is a free action.
Manipulate an Item
In most cases, moving or manipulating an item is a move action. This includes retrieving or putting away a stored item, picking up an item, moving a heavy object, and opening a door. Examples of this kind of action, along with whether they incur an attack of opportunity, are given in Table: Move Actions.
Full-Round Actions Table | |
Action | Attack of Opportunity1 |
Full Attack | No |
Charge2 | No |
Deliver coup de grace | Yes |
Escape from a net, etc. | Yes |
Extinguish flames | No |
Light a torch, lantern, etc. | Yes |
Load a Heavy Crossbow | Yes |
Prepare to throw a splash weapon | Yes |
Run | Yes |
Use skill that takes a full round | Usually |
Use touch spell on many targets | Yes |
Withdraw2 | No |
1. Regardless of the action, if you move out of a threatened square, you usually provoke an attack of opportunity. This column indicates whether the action itself, not moving, provokes an attack of opportunity.
2. May only be taken as a Standard Action if you are limited to taking only a single action in a round. |
Direct or Redirect a Spell
Some spells allow you to redirect the effect to new targets or areas after you cast the spell. Redirecting a spell requires a move action and does not provoke attacks of opportunity or require concentration.
Stand Up
Standing up from a prone position requires a move action and provokes attacks of opportunity.
Mount/Dismount a Steed
Mounting or dismounting from a steed requires a move action.