Questions tagged [actions]
For questions involving the rules that apply to taking a certain action in a specified system.
425
questions
2
votes
1answer
151 views
Can an animal companion Stirge take an action while utilizing Drain Blood?
If a Stirge chosen as a Beast Master ranger's animal companion has had the dragon's Breath spell cast on it, can it use its action to spew magical energy (per dragon's breath) while blood draining?
0
votes
1answer
58 views
What action does it take to activate a paladin's bonded weapon's special abilities?
Paladin's Divine Bond special ability has the following text under the first option:
These bonuses can be added to the weapon, stacking with existing
weapon bonuses to a maximum of +5, or they ...
12
votes
2answers
801 views
Why would an Inquisitive rogue choose to use Insightful Fighting as opposed to using their Cunning Action to Hide?
Inquisitive rogues get access to a new bonus-action option, Insightful Fighting (XGtE, p. 46):
At 3rd level, you gain the ability to decipher an opponent’s tactics and develop a counter to them. As ...
3
votes
0answers
127 views
What are the balance implications of allowing players to use their action to make a bonus action? [duplicate]
By the rules, according to the sage advice compendium actions and bonus actions are not interchangeable.
I can completely see why you shouldn't be allowed to perform an action as a bonus action, ...
6
votes
2answers
210 views
Does the Pole of Angling's command word require an action?
Many magic items require an action (or bonus action) to be properly activated (or deactivated).
But there is a common magic item in Xanathar's Guide to Everything (p. 138) that doesn't seem to ...
1
vote
1answer
89 views
Are there any feat combinations that would let you fire two hand crossbows or two pistols as a standard action?
Are there any feat combinations that would allow a character dual-wielding hand crossbows or pistols to fire both as a standard action?
2
votes
1answer
149 views
Can I attack with the Spiritual Weapon spell as an action, and how do I determine the target?
The description of the Spiritual Weapon spell says:
... When you cast the spell, you can make a melee spell attack against a creature within 5 feet of the weapon. ...
Does it mean I can attack ...
10
votes
2answers
167 views
Can I use Two-Weapon Fighting on my mount's turn?
Can I use the Ready action on my turn to specify that I will make a melee attack once in range of an enemy, use my mount to get to the enemy, attack the enemy with one melee weapon, and then also ...
22
votes
3answers
2k views
Can you take the Dodge action while prone?
I was wondering what the rules say about dodging while prone. I couldn't find anything from the PHB. I would imagine that rolling out of the way of attacks is possible but it would be kind of slow so ...
4
votes
0answers
116 views
What actions can prevent you from taking another action because of the restrictions that are placed on the second action? [closed]
Or in other words: What rules prevent you from doing something you would otherwise be able to do?
I am worried about this question being too broad, but I feel like there can't be very many examples ...
-4
votes
3answers
126 views
When exactly have you “taken/used the Attack action”?
There are several features with phrases similar to "When you take the Attack action" and I am wondering when exactly you have "taken the Attack action", I have found several questions and features ...
13
votes
4answers
2k views
When casting a spell with a long casting time, what happens if you don't spend your action on a turn to continue casting?
Inspired by a comment in this question, which reads as follows:
It says you must spend your action each turn, but it does not say that if you do not spend an action that the spell fails
And the ...
43
votes
5answers
3k views
What happens if a caster is surprised while casting a spell with a long casting time?
Casting a spell with a long casting time requires the caster to use their action each turn casting the spell:
you must spend your action each turn casting the spell
However, what would happen if ...
5
votes
0answers
54 views
Reaction while holding a readied action? [duplicate]
So when you hold an action using the Ready action you use your reaction to act when the trigger happens. however you're able to ignore the trigger. So while you are using the Ready action, are you ...
0
votes
1answer
421 views
Did I just find a new build? 5 weapon attacks at lvl 6
According to this - Is it possible to Twin Spell Dragon Breath or Booming Blade?
We can Twin the booming blade spell
Now if I pick
2 lvls in Fighter to get action surge
3 lvls in Sorcerer to get ...
-8
votes
2answers
386 views
What are all the published objects that require the Use an Object action?
I am looking for an exhaustive list of all objects that can be used with the Use an Object action. RAW, official printed material only.
Depending on what falls in under the Use an Object action, the ...
16
votes
1answer
332 views
Does the monk's Step of the Wind feature activate the benefit of the Mobile feat?
The Mobile feat (PHB, p. 168) says:
When you use the Dash action, difficult terrain doesn't cost you extra movement on that turn
The monk's Step of the Wind feature says:
You can spend 1 ki ...
12
votes
1answer
179 views
How does the Small Folk Hobbit virtue work?
In the Adventures in Middle Earth Player's Guide, there's a Hobbit Virtue called Small Folk (p. 109) that reads:
You have learnt how to gain an advantage in a fight from being smaller
than most ...
16
votes
3answers
1k views
Drawing a second weapon as part of an attack?
Consider a 1st level Rogue who wants to fight with two shortswords using Two-Weapon Fighting (PHB p.195) but does not have the Dual Wielder Feat.
Starting off empty-handed, is the following possible?
...
14
votes
1answer
481 views
Can I change my movement/action in the middle of the turn after an enemy's reaction?
Imagine I'm a rogue and I see an opponent 50' away. In my turn I want to use my movement and my Dash bonus action (Cunning Action) to approach it and use my Action to attack.
Then, after moving just ...
2
votes
1answer
63 views
Multiple Full Defense Actions in the same Combat Turn?
The "Full Defense" Interrupt Action allows a character to decrease their Initiative Score by 10, and the add their Willpower to their defense rolls for the remainder of the Combat Turn. However, the ...
6
votes
2answers
234 views
Can you attack with a two-handed weapon, drop it, and then use Crossbow Expert's bonus action via an Extra Attack with a hand crossbow?
The Crossbow Expert feat (PHB, p. 165) says:
When you use the Attack action and attack with a one-handed weapon you can use a bonus action to attack with a loaded hand crossbow you are holding.
...
4
votes
1answer
112 views
Does a wand charged with a swift action casting time spell take a swift action to activate?
There are different rules related to the action required to activate a wand:
The wand section from magic items states (emphasis mine):
Wands use the spell trigger activation method, so casting a ...
5
votes
1answer
107 views
Can you make multiple attacks with a net or a weapon with the loading property if you have multiple individual actions or reactions?
The net item has a special property which says:
When you use an action, bonus action, or reaction to attack with a net, you can make only one attack regardless of the number of attacks you can ...
20
votes
2answers
2k views
Can you really not move between grapples/shoves?
The rule on moving between attacks specifically says:
If you take an action that includes more than one weapon attack, you can break up your movement even further by moving between those attacks.
...
11
votes
1answer
690 views
Can an Eldritch Knight use Action Surge and thus Arcane Charge even when surprised?
The Eldritch Knight fighter's Arcane Charge feature says:
At 15th level, you gain the ability to teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see when you use your Action Surge. (PHB, p. ...
6
votes
1answer
335 views
I have 2 attacks. Can I shoot a light/heavy crossbow, then throw a dart in same turn?
I've tried to check Q&A before asking, but I haven't seen this question asked specifically.
If the loading property restricts me to firing my crossbow once per turn, may I throw an improvised or ...
2
votes
1answer
127 views
Do the War Domain cleric's War Priest feature and Two-Weapon Fighting's second attack both use a bonus action?
One of my players is a War Domain cleric and dual-wields weapons. He's been making three attacks:
the Attack action
bonus-action for the other hand, from Two-Weapon Fighting, and
use one of his "War ...
12
votes
4answers
3k views
Can a rogue effectively triple their speed by combining Dash and Ready, spreading it over several turns?
This question is a follow-up to:
Can you move on your turn, and then use the Ready Action to move again on another creature's turn?
The answer to that question is yes. Acting according to the ...
8
votes
1answer
691 views
Can you move on your turn, and then use the Ready Action to move again on another creature's turn?
The Ready action is described as follows:
First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger your reaction. Then, you choose the action you will take in response to that trigger, or you ...
0
votes
0answers
86 views
Can a monster attack with the same action that it's using to hold a grapple? [duplicate]
I'm unclear on how attacks and grappling work with monsters as opposed to players. Let me elaborate my question.
With PCs, it seems clear to me. Let's say a PC has two creatures grappled and thus ...
3
votes
4answers
158 views
If a Chuul grapples a creature as a result of its Multiattack, can it make a tentacle attack on the same turn?
One of my player's and I differed on how we interpreted the Chuul's multiattack the other night. Below is the MM text:
Multiattack. The chuul makes two pincer attacks. If the chuul is grappling a ...
25
votes
6answers
2k views
Should breaking down something like a door be adjudicated as an attempt to beat its AC and HP, or as an ability check against a set DC?
It is not uncommon for players to encounter a door that resists being opened - the door may be stuck, barred, locked, barricaded, etc. A locked door could be unlocked by finding a key or passing a ...
4
votes
2answers
152 views
Are alchemical weapons treated like weapons or alchemical items?
I have seen conflicting answers to this question online, so I'd like some help nailing down a somewhat more definitive answer.
For characters with 1 BAB or higher, are alchemical weapons (tanglefoot ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
What kind of action are dodge and disengage?
Question about Actions vs Bonus Actions, vs Reactions:
In a game I was DMing recently, the cleric had 2 ghouls on him. He took his reaction to dodge the attacks of the ghouls, and on his turn, he ...
-1
votes
1answer
121 views
Can a Ring of Force Shield be activated and deactivated multiple times in the same round?
I am a little unclear about the rules covering ring of force shield with archery.
Can the ring be activated and deactivated multiple times in the same round?
Is the following possible with a 10th-...
23
votes
3answers
1k views
Does a surprised creature obey the 1st-level spell Command?
The description of the Command spell says:
You speak a one-word command to a creature you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or follow the command on its next ...
3
votes
1answer
164 views
DMG & Errata conflicting ruling clarification / What is defined as Use an Object? [duplicate]
If the DMG states you cannot use Fast Hands with any item that requires an action to activate, but this Errata states you can use Healers Kit with fast hands WHICH requires an action, who am I ...
5
votes
1answer
104 views
How long does it take to place an item in a Bag of Holding or Portable Hole?
The descriptions of a Bag of Holding and Portable Hole are very specific about how long it takes to retrieve items from them, but do not have any indication of how long it takes to place an item in ...
8
votes
3answers
367 views
How can the Githyanki Supreme Commander move while insubstantial?
The Githyanki Supreme Commander, in its stat block (Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes, p. 206), is granted three types of legendary actions, one of them being the Teleport action:
Teleport. The githyanki ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views
How does the mezzoloth's teleportation work?
We fought a Mezzoloth (MM, p. 313) last game and in the same turn he could use its Teleport action and then attack, or use magic (like dispel magic) and then attack. As I understand from the Monster ...
7
votes
1answer
128 views
Can conjured creatures act in the round they're conjured in?
Specifically, if someone casts the Create Homunculus (Creation 26) spell, could the homunculus created thusly act immediately? Taken to extremes, this could well set up a budget grey goo scenario:
...
-5
votes
4answers
126 views
How long does it take to use first aid to save a dying character?
In the PHB, it says that a character can perform first aid in order to stabilize a dying character. The Heal DC is 15 and if the character makes it, then the character immediately stops losing HP and ...
7
votes
4answers
1k views
Can you use the Shield Master feat to shove someone before you make an attack by using a Readied action?
Can you perform a Ready action with the condition being that you complete your bonus action, then do your bonus action, and then complete your readied action?
For instance, say I have the Shield ...
2
votes
1answer
72 views
Does Double Move allow you to cast spells or activate abilities that require swift or standard actions without changing weapon set up?
Can a character that, for example, holds a weapon in each hand, use its move action to sheathe one of them, cast a spell (a divine spell with the Quicken Spell metamagic feat which is a swift action) ...
11
votes
1answer
725 views
If I cast Expeditious Retreat, can I Dash as a bonus action on the same turn?
I am new to D&D, and am playing 5th Edition. I have a level 3 wizard who has the spell expeditious retreat:
This spell allows you to move at an incredible pace. When you cast this spell, and ...
3
votes
0answers
49 views
Swift action movement and 5-foot step [duplicate]
I realize swift actions came out after the PHB was printed, but how can we reconcile them with this part from the PHB:
If you move no actual distance in a round (commonly because you have swapped ...
3
votes
1answer
228 views
Can I touch something with a hand that is holding a shield?
This question might seem kind of stupid (and it might be), but let me explain. In real life, a shield isn't specifically held, but rather strapped to someone's arm, and although it renders the arm (...
14
votes
1answer
634 views
Can you take a “free object interaction” while incapacitated?
The incapacitated condition description (PHB 290) says:
An incapacitated creature can't take actions or reactions.
Meaning that you can still move. But what about "interactions"?
Page 190 of the ...
5
votes
3answers
285 views
Hideous Laughter: What actions are available?
Ah Tasha's Hideous Laughter, or simply Hideous Laughter in Pathfinder.
My monster's fell fast and hard to this spell last night, and though it was a wonderful victory for the PCs, I'm now filled with ...
