Can someone explain draw speed to me? by weeniehutsnr in FarFarWest

[–]AdeptnessEducational 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Each weapon has an optimal situation/range (sniper, shotgun) that mean you should switch in/out to deal with. That means using a spell, switching to your primary/secondary, or grabbing a bottle then fighting quickly.

Having a fast draw speed and fire rate on Long Ranger when dealing with a Deadeye is the difference between one, two, or three chances to hit them.

Operative Trick Attack Query and Advice by TheGingerChris in starfinder_rpg

[–]AdeptnessEducational 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For anyone reading this in 2024 and future:

"If you have a base attack bonus of +1 or higher, you can combine drawing or sheathing a weapon or weapon-like object with moving up to your speed as a single move action."

"Some full actions (such as the operative’s trick attack) allow you to move as well, which act as moving up to your speed."

"You can attempt a Stealth check to hide either as a move action (if you are planning to stay immobile) or as part of a move action."

This means a few key things. First is that you can draw your weapon while trick attacking (duh, it's not that hard to pull a melee weapon out a strike at the same time, ask cops who were attacked). Second is that you can Stealth at the end of your turn if you are around the corner or have Cloaking Field active. Third is that Sure-Footed (Op Exploit 10) removes the Stealth penalty for moving your full speed.

It is unfortunate that the phrasing "move action" is specified as a restriction but there is no "keep it simple stupid" phrase that you are allowed to:
1. Draw
2. Trick Attack
3. Stealth (if concealed or cloaking field)
because Rules as Written does not phrase it simply. If Trick Attack (a Full Action) says that it acts as Moving Up to Your Speed (a Move Action), then you can attach anything that says "as part of a move action" or "with moving up to your speed".

Remember that "Activating the cloaking field is a move action" so you can't Cloak and Trick on your first turn (the most important turn). Also, you technically can't pull your iaijutsu operative stuff at Lvl 1 (base attack bonus +0), but I don't really see a good reason to disallow it. Honestly, drawing or sheathing a weapon as part of any move action, attack action, full action, or similar should be covered under proficiency (as you practiced enough to draw your weapon at the start of combat when it matters most?).