Talking's a free action - influence skills?

[Genesis]

This must be addressed in RAW somewhere, but I must be missing it. If talking's a free action, does that mean that characters can attempt Influence rolls in combat as a free action? That can't be - I seem to recall schtick perks that make certain influence checks free actions, so they must be more substantive usually... How long does it take to intimidate someone?

[Kromm]

Talking is a free action, but Influence rolls aren't just talking . . . they're observing, talking, and then judging the reaction. In general, they're assumed to require a Concentrate maneuver in combat. In most cases, they're also pointless in combat, though. Action 2 and Dungeon Fantasy 2 give fairly detailed rules for what works and how long it takes.

[Polydamas]

The Basic Set is also explicit that the GM should limit free talking to a single short sentence if he finds that it is being abused. Using an influence skill takes more than a single hurried statement.

[vicky_molokh]

Then there are Perks like Sexy Feints that allow usage of Influence Attempts as combat actions.

[cmdicely]

Originally Posted by Polydamas

The Basic Set is also explicit that the GM should limit free talking to a single short sentence if he finds that it is being abused. Using an influence skill takes more than a single hurried statement.

Sometimes. Sometimes it takes a single hurried statement. Sometimes -- with the right perk from social engineering -- it just takes a meaningful glance.

The big thing is that usually, getting someone to pay attention to your attempt to influence them during combat is somewhat difficult.

[Polydamas]

Originally Posted by cmdicely

Sometimes. Sometimes it takes a single hurried statement.

Can you give an example? The only one which I can think of is "they went thataway!" which is Acting or Fast-Talk and outside of combat.

Originally Posted by cmdicely

Sometimes -- with the right perk from social engineering -- it just takes a meaningful glance.

If you have a perk to allow use of an influence skill as a free action, you aren't doing it with "talking as a free action" but by "twirling your sword as a free action" vel similis. Sexy Feints aren't a conventional use of an Influence skill, and aren't free actions either.

Looking at DF2, I can't find the rules that Kromm is talking about. Page 10 is about negotiating before combat.

[DouglasCole]

Originally Posted by Polydamas

Can you give an example? The only one which I can think of is "they went thataway!" which is Acting or Fast-Talk and outside of combat.

"Bow before your GOD!!!"

:-)

[Gollum]

It sounds more like a dirty trick rather than a true fast-talk, doesn't it?

[DouglasCole]

Originally Posted by Gollum

It sounds more like a dirty trick rather than a true fast-talk, doesn't it?

not if it's true. :-)

[Anaraxes]

"Ray, when someone asks you if you're a god, you say yes!"