Action Frame

Action-Frames, or simply referred to as Frames, signifies a moment in time in which characters in an Encounter can perform actions over the course of their turn, a round. A similar counterpart known as a Reaction Frame is used when it is no longer the character's turn. Terms & Definitions ♦ Frame: 2 seconds of time within an Encounter in which actions can be performed by a character. ♦ Action Frame: A Frame used by a character when it is their turn. ♦ Reaction Frame: A Frame used by a character when it it not their turn. ♦ Turn: A set of three Frames a character receives each round. ♦ Round: A round lasts 6 seconds, the round progresses when all characters and the environment complete their turns. Split-Frames The majority of actions that taken place in a encounter takes roughly 2 seconds, as long as an action can complete within this amount of time, it counts as being performed within that Frame. However through the use of specific actions or Metaphor bonuses, some actions can complete in less than half of a Frame's time (less than one second), this can affect how many actions can occur within a Frame as well as give an advantage during contests. These are Split-Frame actions. Action Speed Most Actions have a Normal speed, although others may in themselves or as part of a sequence of Actions, take longer than a Frame to complete. Tasks may require multiple actions to complete. Character using Reactions can React on the same Frame to contest the action, they will suffer Disadvantage on their rolls if an attacker's action speed is faster than Normal. Reactions taken a Frame before an Attacker does anything to them will always complete without contest. "The Fighter begins to prepare for a Power Attack against an opposing Monk, so they spend a Frame to set up a Special Attack using their Strength, to strike at the Monk with the augmented melee sword attack next Frame. During this time, the Fighter can move up to their base movement each Frame so long as their legs (used to move around) are not tied up in any specific action." "The opposing Monk has the opportunity to perform a Reaction during the first Frame of the Fighter targeting them. They spend this Frame moving away from the Fighter to get out their range, even with the Fighter's movement, the Monk breaks out of the Fighter's range and the attack misses completely." "If the Fighter had simply attacked normally, or used a Metaphor Action-Sequence to link a Strength-based Special Attack to their Attack action, they would have been able to attack the Monk on the same Frame as their Reaction. Moving during an Attack would inflict a Lost-Advantage on the Fighter's attack. If the attack is considered to have a speed of 'Quick', against a Reaction that is considered 'Normal' speed, then the Fighter could roll for their attack without losing Advantage." Action Speeds ♦ Normal: Starts and finishes within a Frame (2 seconds) ♦ Quick: Completed within half a Frame (1 second or less) ♦ Extended: Starts and finishes in more than a Frame (More than 2 seconds) Action Speed Interactions ♦ If a Reaction occurs on the same Frame as an Action: Reaction affects Action normally (Normal effects). ♦ If an Action is quicker than a Reaction but not more than a Frame: Action suffers less from Reaction effects. ♦ If a Reaction is quicker than an Action but not more than a Frame: Effects of Reaction may be enhanced. ♦ If a Reaction occurs a Frame before an Action: Reaction affects Action normally (Normal effects). ♦ If a Reaction occurs a Frame after an Action: The Action is unaffected by Reaction. Reaction Frames Reaction Frames are only available to a character when their turn has been completed, as such, if a character has not had their turn yet, they do not get Reaction Frames. A character usually only gets one Reaction Frame, to help them deal with incoming threats more proactively than relying on passive defenses (Deflection, Evasion, Metaphor-based effects). A character can however reserve their last Action Frame to gain an additional Reaction Frame before ending their turn. Doing so lets them have two Reaction Frames until their next turn.