Editing Action Points (section)

==Dungeons & Dragons==
While [[Dungeons & Dragons]] has never included action points as a core rule, the 3rd edition version of [[Unearthed Arcana]] and [[Eberron]] both include a variant of the system as optional rules. The basis is that at creation, each character has an extremely limited pool of these points, usable for one of a few remarkable effects, like adding to poor rolls, preventing death, and recharging expendable resources like spells. What offsets this feature from being OP as hell, however, is that coming across new Action Points is incredibly rare - rare enough that you only get new ones every level - and that they have a set limit of points you can have, preventing hoarding.

[[Pathfinder]], being the follow-up that rides off the coattails, introduced another optional variant called "Hero Points" in the ''Advanced Player's Guide''. They're effectively identical, though the limit is considerably cut down with certain feats letting you increase that. There are also some spells that involve these Hero Points, but the biggest change here is that they can also be rewarded as an incentive for good roleplay and [[This Guy|other OoC good deeds]].

4th Edition integrated Action Points into the core rules, but this is in name only. These Action Points are now only provide a free action with certain effects based upon your character's [[Paragon Path]], [[Epic Destiny]], and feats. They're also hard-capped to each player only having one (barring exceptions), recharging only when your character takes an extended rest (making this power effectively daily) or when you hit a milestone by winning enough fights without an extended rest.

5th Edition has Action Points introduced in the [[Eberron]] UA, which act similar to how they originally did, but they also have another equivalent called "Inspiration". This is essentially a gift granted for good roleplay and whatnot, and only give a player a chance to roll one attack with advantage (that is, roll it twice and take the better of the two).