Okay, we are having debates here on a topic that I thought was long settled in the rules. I am thus opening up the topic here just to see how others would respond.

Readied actions
Now, this is technically a 3ed topic, but the same concept should apply to previous editions as well. A readied action (I call them 'set' actions in my game), is a SINGLE action that one does to try and take control of things around you. A readied action can be used to try and prevent a character from casting a spell, to attack a flying opponent as it dives upon you, and other such events that you want to assure the DM that your character is ready for.

My players are having trouble with the concept that this could allow 2 sets of actions in a round. I have an ambush predator. That animal simply waits for a victim to come along. It is thus established with a readied action that when someone comes into position, it will attack. My power gamers rush into the scene to pull out the animals, and they want to claim that its turn is finished. Wrong! The readied action is actually from the previous round. Upon their initiative (assuming it is later in the round), they get to do their regular actions. What I believe, is that my power gamers are attempting to deny my animals some actions. They basically want to make a readied action into a stupid person's (like something with an animal's intelligence) 'hold' action (where a character simply decides not to go on one's initiative, but later in the round). I am standing up for my monsters and maintaining a difference between a 'readied' action and a 'held' action (both have their benefits and their detriments).

Just to clarify --
Hold = Allows you the normal full range of possible actions. Lasts until end of round. If round ends and you did nothing, you did nothing.

Readied = Allows you only ONE action and only if certain conditions are met. Lasts until next turn (at which time most attempting an ambush simply re-ready while they wait).

Any comments appreciated.

Readied action is like what we play when we say a character has an arrow "nocked and drawn."

The previous round, the character nocks an arrow and draws his bow for an attack at the beginning of the next round, performing no other actions. Therefore, that character would have 3 arrows the next round instead of 2.

Usually only applicable at the beginning of a combat.

I often hold my action in a combat -- especially if I'm waiting for an enemy spellcaster to begin casting -- then I can disrupt the spell with a well-timed attack.

I love holding my actions in combat! They are so soft and warm and cuddly! I tell them how great they are and then when I am ready I throw at the enemy!