Action Points
From Toosigma
Action Points are a renewable metagame resource that players can choose to spend to temporarily circumvent or exceed certain rules. Each character will receive 3 action points, which can be used for a variety of different effects:
- Reroll a single d20 roll - You can reroll any d20 roll, taking the higher of the two results. If both results are below 10, you can add 10 to your reroll (effectively giving you a roll of 11-20). You must choose to spend this point before the results of your original roll are announced.
- Add an additional d6 to any d20 roll. When it absolutely, positively has to succeed, you can use this to improve your chances of success, even if you've already rolled well.
- Use a limited-use ability one additional time per day. For instance, a Cleric who had used up his Turn Undead attempts could spend an action point to Turn Undead one more time. Likewise a Paladin's Smite, or a Barbarian's Rage, or a Bard's music.
- Use a feat that you don't have, but otherwise qualify for. For instance, Krusk has the Power Attack feat, and drops an orc. He could spend an action point to gain the use of the Cleave feat for this round and attack an adjacent orc. Or Soveliss could gain temporary use of the Precise Shot feat to negate the -4 penalty for firing into melee.
- Stabilize when dying. If you are wounded to the point where you're in imminent danger of death, you can spend an action point to stabilize automatically.
- Do something amazing. Sometimes a player comes up with a really cool idea, but the rules either won't allow for it or would provide a stack of penalties. Using an action point can eliminate all these penalties and give the idea a chance to succeed. (This usage is subject to DM approval)
Your character will regain action points at the rate of one per game day. There will also be feats available to increase the maximum number of action points, increase the recovery rate, or increase the usage options. Additional action points may also be awarded by the DM for entertaining play or for taking the time to fill out feedback forms.
I like the action point system (and similar metagame mechanics) because it puts more control in the hands of the players. It alleviates some of the problems associated with an unlucky roll, and gives the players a chance to choose where their PCs excel. A super-tough dwarf can reroll an unlucky Fort save to resist poison, the charismatic bard can reroll a failed diplomacy check that would otherwise make him a laughingstock, etc.
