That sounds like an interesting idea. Give it a shot. Tell your players its a temporary thing while you test it out, and see what happens.

If you like that idea, you might also look at the Savage Worlds Adventure Cards. They make a set for D20. I used them for D20 before converting to Savage Worlds as my primary RPG.




As a side note, when my players started getting slow in D20 combat (well, slower than usual), I'd just start a count down, usually from 10 (in as non-parental a way as possible). If I got to the end of the countdown without a declared action, they were considered to have "frozen up" that round. Net effect: they sped up.

Spycraft uses a similar system called Action Dice, which I much prefer.

The Auld Grump

I've used the official Action Points system, both by the standard Eberron rules and by the UA rules, and enjoy both.

If the points you get aren't enough (they usually are), then there are ways you can spice things up as a player also. Eberron, in particular, has a lot of feats that can make action points more interesting.

One will give you more points.

Another lets you roll D8s instead of D6s.

Probably my favorite, though, is Barbarian specific...you get a temporary action point every time you rage (use it during the rage or lose it).

My favorite Action Point feat in Eberron lets you spend two APs to get an extra standard or move-equivalent action in a round.

Costs two, so they don't last long, but it can really save the day!