RCS:Actions During a Combat Round
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There are three forms of actions: Incidental Actions, Short Actions, and Long Actions.
Any action which can be done nearly instantaneously while any other action is being done is considered an "Incidental Action". Any action which takes up to three seconds of time to complete is considered a "Short Action". Any action which takes up to six seconds of time to complete is considered a "Long Action". This essentially means that a person can make two Short Actions or one Long Action on their turn. Because Incidental Actions are near-instant and can be done at the same time as Short Actions or Long Actions, a character has a figuratively unlimited number of Incidental Actions per combat round, though the referee has the ability to veto attempted overuse of Incidental Actions if he feels it is necessary or if the continued declaration of Incidental Actions is slowing down gameplay.
Any task which says it requires "1 combat round (absolute)" is equivalent to requiring a single Long Action to complete.
Incidental Actions
Incidental Actions are actions which are assumed to take no time or concentration at all; they come naturally. It is important to note that it is the referee's discretion at what counts as an Incidental Action and what is a more lengthy Short Action. Examples of Incidental Actions include shouting for help, screaming, turning to face a new direction, yelling a simple order (five words or less), looking for a new target, and the like. Shouting complex orders does not count and would likely be considered a Short Action due to the concentration and clarity required.
If a player attempts to abuse Incidental Actions and tries to commit what the referee considers "an unreasonable amount" of Incidental Actions during a given turn, the referee is allowed to rule that the sheer number of Incidental Actions used adds up to a single Short Action or even a Long Action, meaning that the character cannot do anything else while doing so many Incidental Actions at once. This should only be exercised if it seems necessary.
Short Actions
Most basic combat actions are Short Actions. Short Actions include opening a door, moving, firing, moving while firing, aiming a vehicle turret, firing the turret, aiming a vehicle's spotlight, etc.
Long Actions
Long Actions are actions which require the character's undivided attention for the entire six-second span. Examples include reloading a weapon, driving a vehicle, pulling someone up who is dangling off a ledge, lifting a fallen comrade's body, etc.
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