name: rule-combat-action-economy description: Combat timing model: initiative deck flow, action types, bonus/reaction windows, and round structure.
Combat Action Economy Rules (Thematic)
Scope
Use this skill for turn-order confusion, "what actions can I take now," heroic-action timing, and card-driven bonus timing.
Initiative deck model
- Build encounter deck from level-range cards (blue for players, red for enemies).
- Shuffle each round.
- Each flip enables actions for matching initiative range/card type.
Action channels
- Major action: primary turn action.
- Minor action: utility/reposition/stance operations.
- Heroic action: powerful limited resource (resets on long rest unless effect says otherwise).
- Bonus action: conditional tempo action based on card-range progression rules.
- Opportunity action: off-turn response to movement triggers.
- Reaction: feature-defined timing, max one reaction per initiative card.
Round flow essentials
- Surprised creatures skip first initiative card in round one.
- One major action per creature per round baseline.
- End of round occurs when all encounter cards are resolved.
Heroic economy
- Heroic actions can include major movement.
- Stims and feature text can alter spending behavior.
- Heroic resource conservation is a key campaign-level decision.
Bonus-action probability dynamic
- Higher initiative ranges have substantially higher chance to receive bonus-action windows.
- Initiative tuning (stats, weapon training, build choices) directly changes action throughput.
Search cues / aliases
initiative cards, combat round, bonus action window, heroic action, reaction limit, surprise, opportunity action.