Action Economy
Also known as: action budget, action system
Definition
The system governing what you can do on your turn. Understanding action economy means knowing how to maximize your effectiveness with the actions available to you.
How it works in different systems
D&D 5e: Action + Bonus Action + Reaction per round. Move up to your speed.
Pathfinder 2e: 3 actions per turn. Moving, attacking, casting all cost actions. Simpler but different.
Vampire V5: Declare all actions before resolution. Can split dice pool for multiple attacks.
Powered by the Apocalypse: No action economy - fiction determines what's reasonable in a moment.
Example
“In D&D 5e, you get 1 Action, 1 Bonus Action, 1 Reaction (on others' turns), free object interaction, and unlimited movement (up to your speed). A Fighter's Action Surge grants an extra Action!”
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting you can break up your movement (move, attack, move more)
- Not using your bonus action when you have options
- Forgetting reactions like opportunity attacks or Shield spell