---
name: "playActionNow"
type: command
status: ok
groups: ["Animations"]
arma3_since: "0.50"
locality: {"argument": "local", "effect": "global", "server_exec": false}
source: https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/playActionNow
revid: 364763
updated: 2024-06-08T18:43:24Z
---

# playActionNow

*Command · Animations · Arma 3 v0.50 · introduced in Arma 2 v1.00*

Locality: arguments **local** · effect **global**

## Description

When used on a person, a smooth transition to the given action will be initiated, but all previous playAction are discarded.

> [!NOTE]
> **Arma 3:** For Arma 3 actions, see playAction/actions.

## Syntax

```sqf
soldier playActionNow action
```

**Parameters:**

- `soldier`: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- `action`: [String](../topics/String.md)

**Returns:** [Nothing](../topics/Nothing.md)

## Examples

### Example 1

```sqf
soldierOne playActionNow "SitDown";
```

### Example 2

```sqf
rabbitTwo playActionNow "WalkF";
```

## See also

[playAction](../commands/playAction.md) · [switchAction](../commands/switchAction.md) · [playMove](../commands/playMove.md) · [playMoveNow](../commands/playMoveNow.md) · [switchMove](../commands/switchMove.md)

## Community notes

**Wolfrug** — 2010-10-12

Some other possible playactions:
- `"walkF"` - walk forward
- `"walkB"` - walk backwards
- `"walkR"` - strafe right
- `"walkL"` - strafe left
- `"grabDrag"` - initiate First Aid dragging animation
- `"stopDrag"` - stop First Aid dragging animation
- `"reloadMagazine"` - reload the current magazine
- `"gestureFreeze"` - hand signal "Freeze"
- `"gestureGo"`
- `"gestureCover"`
- `"gestureAttack"`
- `"gestureCeaseFire"`
- `"gestureFollow"`
- `"gestureUp"`
- `"gestureAdvance"`
- `"gesturePoint"`

Note that playAction works regardless of stance (rifle up, down, crouched, prone).

---

**h -** — 2023-09-05

Playing a gesture with [playActionNow](../commands/playActionNow.md) while a soldier held weapon is deployed on something will 'undeploy' the weapon.
Using [playAction](../commands/playAction.md) doesn't.

<sub>Source: [BI Community Wiki — playActionNow](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/playActionNow) (revision 364763).</sub>