Do I have to attack to use Extra Attack? Or can I do something different with my action on my turn and use this feature to attack? So for example, say I use Dash, Disengage, or Cast a Spell; can I still attack with Extra Attack?
The reason to ask all this is that I want to know if I can cast the blade ward cantrip (PHB, p. 218) from Magic Initiate (PHB, p. 168) every round and still have the ability to attack.
The fighter's Extra Attack feature says:
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.
As stated, you need to take the Attack action, using up your one available action for that turn, but now you can attack twice within that action.
You cannot take any other action (Disengage, Cast a Spell, etc.) and then swing a weapon as well as part of the same action, unless specific rules explicitly state otherwise.
