A Deep Dive into Automation and Combat Efficiency

For players and Dungeon Masters using Fantasy Grounds, managing combat actions efficiently can be a challenge. The Generic Actions extension by Grim Press provides a streamlined way to handle common combat maneuvers, reducing the need for manual tracking and ensuring smooth gameplay. This guide explores the key features, functionality, and benefits of the extension in detail.

What Is Generic Actions?

The Generic Actions extension is designed to assist players and DMs in remembering and executing various combat actions available in Dungeons & Dragons 5E and its updated rule sets. By automating key mechanics and providing actionable prompts, it helps maintain the flow of battle without requiring constant rulebook references.

Detailed Features and Functionality

1. Action Automation and Reminders This extension places a set of combat action buttons at the bottom of the Actions Tab for player characters and the Main Page for NPCs. These buttons serve as reminders and automation tools for key actions, ensuring they are not overlooked.

2. Built-In Action Resolutions Each of these actions follows the D&D 5E rule set and provides automated calculations where applicable:

• Grapple & Break Grapple: Automatically determines success based on a contest of Strength (Athletics) vs. Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics), applying the grapple effect when successful.
• Shove: Uses a similar opposed check and provides the DM with a notification to move the target.
• Disengage & Dash: Sends automated messages to the chat window, ensuring players and the DM are aware of movement-based actions.
• Dodge: Applies an effect that enforces disadvantage on attackers and grants advantage on Dexterity saving throws for one round.
• Help: Assigns advantage on ability checks or attack rolls based on the rules for aiding allies.
• Hide: Rolls the appropriate Stealth check and displays the result for the DM to adjudicate.
• Search: Selects the higher of Perception or Investigation, providing a check result that the DM can use for hidden clues or objects.
• Disarm, Overrun, and Tumble: These specialized actions apply the appropriate contested rolls and inform the DM of success or failure.

3. Flanking and Tactical Positioning One of the most useful features is the ability to determine flanking advantage dynamically. If an enemy is positioned between two melee attackers, the extension detects this automatically and applies advantage when rolling attacks. If a creature has the Unflankable trait, the system will negate any advantage granted from flanking.

4. Enhanced Combat Effects and Status Handling The extension streamlines effect management, ensuring that conditions such as grappled, prone, and restrained are properly applied. Additional automation includes:

• Size-based Disarm/Overrun Adjustments: Larger creatures gain advantage on resisting disarm attempts, following the rules for relative sizes in combat.
• Conditional Modifiers for Attack and Damage Rolls: Effects such as temporary hit points, damage resistance, and status conditions are automatically accounted for when relevant rolls occur.

5. Combat Tracker Integration This extension integrates fully with Fantasy Grounds’ Combat Tracker, ensuring that:

• Status effects are properly applied and removed when their duration expires.
• Attack and damage rolls factor in ongoing conditions.
• Custom rules and homebrew modifications can be implemented via effect syntax.

Why Use Generic Actions?

For Dungeon Masters running complex encounters, this extension ensures that players utilize all available actions efficiently. Players benefit by having quick-reference automation for actions they might otherwise forget, leading to a more dynamic and tactical game. The integration with 2024 D&D rules means that even new mechanics are accounted for.

Conclusion

The Generic Actions extension for Fantasy Grounds is a robust tool designed to enhance combat automation, improve tactical depth, and reduce rule lookup time. Whether you’re running fast-paced combat or managing intricate strategy, this extension ensures that all actions are easily accessible and efficiently executed.

For those looking to optimize their Fantasy Grounds 5E experience, this tool provides valuable enhancements to both player and DM workflows, making combat smoother and more engaging.

Get Generic Actions on Fantasy Grounds Forge

Watch the Overview Video

For a detailed walkthrough of the extension’s features, watch the full video: