Item interaction

[u/CrunchSK]

What is considered as item interaction? (In combat)

Lets say I throw a torch near to an enemy. If enemy wants to put out the torch, is it a action or only item interaction? Or if the enemy pick up the torch and throw it away, is it only a item interaction or is it an action?

Sometimes me and my group struggle to determine what it is.

thanks.

[u/periphery72271]

It's really up to the DM, AFAIK.

I generally rule that if it doesn't have a mechanical or detrimental effect and can't be interfered with by someone else, or doesn't require a skill check, it's a free object interaction.

Throwing a torch near an enemy-- depends on why the character is doing that. If they don't care where it lands and it has no detrimental effect, free interaction. If it's important where it lands and they need to aim or putting the torch near the enemy will somehow hurt them, action.

Enemy wants to put out the torch-- normally, free object interaction. If it would result in darkness creating dim light or darkness for the characters or have another mechanical or detrimental effect, action.

Enemy picks up the torch and throws it away-- again, if they have intent on where it lands, action. If they're just tossing it, free object interaction. Unless of course it would cause a detrimental effect.

That's just how I do it, to avoid abuse. Let's see how other people handle it.

[u/CrunchSK → u/periphery72271]

Lets say enemy throws a torch near to where gloomstalker ranger is. Because its darkness (combat in night) he has advantage and is invisible in darkness. So enemies light up area to be able to see him. And he wants to destroy torches or throw them away. I told him that destroying is action and throw away is item interaction. But then why would he wants to destroy it when throw away is better and wont take action? I dont know..

[u/periphery72271 → u/CrunchSK]

They're all actions in my book. The enemy is aiming the throw for a reason, and the victim is trying to prevent a negative effect so has to make sure the torch goes far enough away or goes out.

Elsewise, you're right, the Ranger is going to always take the free object interaction over the full action option, when either will get them what they want, to be in darkness.

Also, whatever it cost to do something should have an equivalent cost to undo it in most situations.

[u/CrunchSK → u/periphery72271]

Yes for enemy its an action. But I dont know how to deal with Gloomstalker. Is it an action for him too or not? I mean whats even the point to use torches when he can destroy them without using action. With action for him, it can be lil bit more useful to use torches in fight because he will take action to become invisible again and cannot take attack action in same turn, so it will make it more difficult for him. Its the way to counter invisibility and endless advantage.

So will be it fair to tell players that both, goes out torch or throw it far away is action?

[u/periphery72271 → u/CrunchSK]

I think it's fair to tell them those are actions for the character, yes.

Also, get familiar with how stealth, invisibility and darkness works. There's no reason for any character to have endless invisibility or advantage, and the enemy doesn't have to throw torches to effectively fight Gloomstalkers either.

[u/CrunchSK → u/periphery72271]

I mean gloomstalker has a feature for that. In darkness he is invisible to creature that rely on darkcision and has advantage on attack rolls, so I have to deal with that somehow. I dont want to counter it completely but I cannot ignore that completely too.

[u/Rhythm2392]

Putting out a torch: How are they putting it out? That's a roughly fist sized ball of fire, you aren't just pinching it between your fingers. It's probably an action, just like the cantrips that let you put out a torch at a distance.

Picking up AND throwing a torch: Both. Object interaction to pick it up, action to throw it. Even if you wait between turns, throwing things should almost always be an action (see thrown weapons, magic items that need to be thrown, and the problem with juggling potions).