Questions tagged [actions]
This question involves the rules that apply to taking a certain action in a specified system.
-1
votes
2answers
147 views
Can Mage Hand be renewed and moved to continuously carry a torch?
If a character needs two hands to hold a weapon (e.g. Heavy Crossbow), can they cast the Mage Hand cantrip to carry a torch for them since the torch weighs less than 10 pounds? I'm specifically ...
14
votes
2answers
244 views
Would it harm game balance to allow the Haste action to be used to Ready one of its allowed actions?
Normally, haste grants the following benefit:
[The target] gains an additional action on each of its turns. That action can be used only to take the Attack (one weapon attack only), Dash, Disengage,...
9
votes
1answer
175 views
Can I pick up and drop a person in one turn?
I am playing a level 6 Barbarian (I have 2 attacks). I picked up a person as one attack and walked him over to a well, and with my second attack I want to drop him. Can I do that all in one turn?
...
16
votes
1answer
642 views
Can you cast Sanctuary after initiating a grapple without causing the spell to immediately end?
I think it's pretty well established that if you cast Sanctuary on yourself, then initiate a grapple, sanctuary is broken because initiating a grapple is a "special melee attack." However, a situation ...
4
votes
1answer
108 views
If I'm holding two weapons, can I momentarily hold one under my arm to free a hand?
Let's say I have Two-weapon Fighting, and I am wielding a light weapon in each hand. I have an ability that lets me conjure a certain item as a swift action. Can I momentarily hold one of my light ...
4
votes
1answer
73 views
Does drawing your weapon take an action?
Previous versions of Savage Worlds explicitly stated that it took one action, and there was the Quick Draw action that turned it into a free action. However, that Edge does not seem to exist in the ...
2
votes
1answer
76 views
Does counterspelling as an immediate action allows you to cast another spell the same turn?
I have this doubt. For what I have been reading it seems so, indeed you can counterspell and cast the same turn. So, whoever can counter as an immediate action like the abjurer (counterspell) or the ...
13
votes
1answer
169 views
Is it possible to not apply a feat passive such as Rapid metamagic?
The description of Rapid Metamagic (Complete Mage, p. 46):
[General]
You possess an uncanny mastery of your magic, enabling you to modify spells on the fly much faster than others can.
...
7
votes
2answers
164 views
Why do you get so few questions when using the Action: Investigate a Mystery?
It seems strange to me that you'd typically only be allowed to ask 0-2 questions when taking the Investigate a Mystery action. Specifically, I'm imagining situations where a Keeper calls for the ...
4
votes
4answers
804 views
Can I still make an opportunity attack against a creature I have previously disengaged from?
Let's say that I am in melee with an enemy. On my turn, for one reason or another, I take the Disengage action but do not move out of melee range.
In the same round, the enemy starts their turn by ...
12
votes
2answers
1k views
How many actions or attacks are involved in picking up and throwing a creature?
Let's say my Minotaur ally decided during a brawl to grapple with the nearest brigand, pick him up over his head (or maybe just throw him from a standing position), and chuck him as far as his beefy (...
3
votes
1answer
155 views
What action is used to throw a javelin of lightning?
When you use a javelin of lightning, exactly what kind of action are you performing?
I'd initially assumed it would just be using your entire action, but it doesn't specifically state so. If anything,...
3
votes
1answer
84 views
Is using Doomspeak a standard action?
Doomspeak is a [bardic] feat from Champions of Ruin with the following benefit:
You can spend one of your bardic music uses to utter a string of crass and appalling epithets and curses at one enemy ...
5
votes
1answer
229 views
Can Storm Sphere's bonus action be used on the same turn the spell is cast?
I am wondering whether one could cast Storm Sphere as an action, and in the same turn immediately follow it up with the spell's bonus action to deal more damage.
I have a feeling this doesn't work, ...
6
votes
1answer
178 views
How does the Healing Spirit spell work when healing unconscious characters?
When a character is knocked unconscious (and about to begin making death saving throws) in a square covered by healing spirit, how does their next turn work?
Healing spirit will spare them from ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Can a Fighter use his Extra Attack to draw a weapon as a free action?
The rules state:
You can also interact with one object or feature of the environment
for free, during either your move or your action. For example, you
could open a door during your move as you ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Can a Reaction Cantrip be used as an action and bonus action? [closed]
I have a character in my most recent campaign. He is a homebrew race that weakens all checks and rolls in sunlight (unless properly covered), but gives +1AC and the Fire Bolt Cantrip.
His scenario: ...
9
votes
1answer
769 views
Is a Move any kind of movement, or a specific type of action?
The answer about the Bulette brings up an interesting question.
Is Move a defined game term?
Whether a creature is a friend or an enemy, you can't willingly end your move in its space.
(Basic ...
2
votes
0answers
74 views
Action Surge question [duplicate]
The Player's Handbook says that Action Surge grants one additional action on your turn, once per short or long rest.
The Extra Attack section of the PHB says that at level 11 (for example) when ...
4
votes
1answer
76 views
What kind of action is the Investiture of the Erinyes' beckoning?
While the spell is in effect, the subject can beckon a creature it can see clearly, forcing it to approach unless the creature succeeds on a Will save against the spell's save DC.
What kind of action ...
5
votes
2answers
228 views
Can a two-weapon combatant draw both weapons at once?
The only rule regarding this that I've managed to find is (PHB p190):
You can also interact with one object or feature of the environment for free, during either your move or your action. For ...
2
votes
1answer
101 views
Decisive Strike and secondary attacks
If my Warforged Monk has the Jaws of Death feat (provides a secondary natural weapon), can I use it after Decisive Strike?
20
votes
2answers
1k views
Can you cast a bonus-action spell, then Ready a leveled spell on the same turn?
In D&D 5e, a spellcaster (we’ll use cleric as an example) can cast a spell as a bonus action and one as an action on the same turn, but one must be a cantrip - for example, in the same turn, a ...
3
votes
2answers
68 views
What actions are involved when jumping down?
A character wants to move to the edge of a pit, jump down to the floor 10 feet below and move on to reach a certain spot at the lower floor. The total horizontal distance is equal to his movement. He ...
5
votes
1answer
56 views
Can staggered creatures use immediate actions?
The Staggered condition says (PHB p313):
[...] A staggered character may take a single move action or standard action each round (but not both, nor can she take fullround actions).
I know the text ...
2
votes
1answer
212 views
What action is picking up your disarmed weapon while Prone?
I have a fighter with Two-Weapon Fighting. In a Full Attack Action, I make a successful Trip attempt with my first attack and a successful Disarm attempt with the second Attack.
The foe is now prone ...
0
votes
1answer
103 views
Can you use swift actions as other action types?
Let’s say I am playing a Tome of Battle class that utilizes many stances and boosts. Can I ‘slow down’ a swift action and have it count as a move or standard action?
Example:
Swift action: use a ...
8
votes
1answer
1k views
Does the tentacle rod prevent multiattack?
Made by the drow, this rod is a magic weapon that ends in three rubbery tentacles. While holding the rod, you can use an action to direct each tentacle to attack a creature you can see within 15 feet ...
5
votes
1answer
95 views
When exactly can the target make an Int check to end Detect Thoughts?
The spell description for Detect Thoughts in D&D 5e says that after you have done a deep probe "unless you shift your attention to another creature's thoughts, the creature can use its action on ...
5
votes
1answer
125 views
If the target of Staggering Strike already started an action, can it do anything else?
With Staggering Strike, if an enemy moves and provokes an attack of opportunity, I hit it, and it fails the save, it becomes staggered.
Staggered:
A staggered character may take a single move ...
4
votes
1answer
774 views
Can the help action trigger a Rogue's sneak attack?
Let's say that I determined the best course of action is using the Help action to give my Rogue buddy an advantage on his attack instead of attacking by myself. Would that attack then gain the sneak ...
3
votes
3answers
767 views
How does the Staff of the Python work?
The D&D 5th edition rules about the staff of the python state the following:
You can use an action to speak this staff's command word and throw the staff on the ground within 10 feet of you. ...
12
votes
3answers
4k views
How does the Spiritual Weapon spell work?
I am a 5th level cleric in D&D and I am a little unsure about how to use spiritual weapon, which is cast with a bonus action.
The spell says that you create a weapon and then you can attack. ...
3
votes
2answers
288 views
Can I cast spells with material components while wielding a two-handed weapon without the Improved Pact Weapon invocation?
I plan on creating a Hexblade warlock. I want to use a two-handed weapon by level 3 and until then a longsword. I won't use a shield. So if I cast a spell without any material components, I won't have ...
6
votes
1answer
234 views
Can effects like Darkness, Light, etc. be strobed in a single turn?
I've seen multiple questions (including one that I have written) that attempt some degree of maneuvering of an object or effect that would allow them to "strobe" the effects of spells like Light or ...
18
votes
6answers
4k views
Can I cast Darkness in my mouth so I can turn it on/off each round without having to use an action?
I am playing a 5e game, and I had the idea of casting darkness in my mouth, or on a small rock that I then place in my mouth.
At the start of each of my turns, I close my mouth. This obscures the ...
3
votes
2answers
297 views
How to trigger the AC condition on Dancing Scarves during a full-round attack as a Two-Weapons fighting Rogue?
I found the armor "Varisian dancing scarves" which give a +2 AC only if moving around at least 10 feet. And as a Two Weapons fighting Rogue (Unchained), I would like to find a way to be able to use ...
3
votes
1answer
167 views
Can a tortle character use the extra action from the Haste spell to withdraw into their shell?
Can the extra action from the haste spell be used by a tortle (from The Tortle Package) to withdraw into their shell?
6
votes
3answers
516 views
What would the effect be of eliminating the rule preventing other non-cantrip spells on a turn if a bonus-action spell is cast?
The rule on bonus-action spells states:
A spell cast with a bonus action is especially swift. You must use a bonus action on your turn to cast the spell, provided that you haven't already taken a ...
5
votes
1answer
99 views
What action is it to combine two shang gou into “a single one-handed weapon”?
The shang gou weapon entry reads:
Forged in pairs, these solid metal blades end in curved hooks, while the hand guards are hammered into outward-facing spiked crescents.
Benefit: Both the ...
12
votes
1answer
914 views
Which uses of Bonus-Action spellcasting are legal?
Looking at other questions about casting spells as a bonus action has left me trying to keep a lot of information in my head about whether a given combination of spells is legal according to the ...
0
votes
1answer
138 views
What melee attack does a doppelganger use if it picks up a weapon while shapechanged? [closed]
The doppelganger has the following traits and actions:
Traits
Shapechanger: The doppelganger can use its action to Polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid it has seen, or back into its ...
-1
votes
2answers
537 views
War Caster Feat: Opportunity Attack Casting following a Bonus Action spell
The war caster feat includes the following feature:
When a hostile creature's movement provokes an opportunity attack from
you, you can use your reaction to cast a spell at the creature, rather
...
6
votes
1answer
126 views
Is drinking a potion an action, a supplemental action, or a free action?
In the Dresden Files RPG, a character can, under normal circumstances, take one action (attack, maneuver, block, etc.) on their turn in an exchange (YS 199). If the character wants to perform a minor ...
19
votes
4answers
952 views
Which balancing issues, if any, would arise from allowing PCs to spend actions on bonus action features?
I understand that RAW, features/spells/etc. that require a bonus action (e.g. Bardic Inspiration or Healing Word) cannot be used with a regular action instead (see this question).
However, what would ...
2
votes
1answer
375 views
Can Cunning Action be taken more than once per turn?
The rogue's Cunning Action feature states:
Starting at 2nd level, your quick thinking and agility allow you to move and act quickly. You can take a bonus action on each of your turns in combat. ...
9
votes
2answers
2k views
Can Counterspell be used as a Legendary Action by an Archlich?
An Archlich in a WotC adventure is listed as being able to cast one of their at-will spells as a Legendary Action. Here's the quote:
At-Will Spell. [the lich] casts one of his at-will spells.
The ...
11
votes
3answers
1k views
Is Disarm an entire action, or a replacement for a single Weapon Attack?
My confusion comes from the somewhat ambiguous wording of the Disarm action as described in the Dungeon Master's Guide (p. 271):
A creature can use a weapon attack to knock a weapon or another item ...
5
votes
4answers
3k views
Does Dual Wielding count as two attacks, therefore two actions?
I’m not sure if two weapon fighting and duel wielding are the same thing.
I’m very new, like first game new. What I’m wondering is: if I have the Dual Wielding Feature, do I make two separate weapon ...
9
votes
2answers
229 views
Can a Slowed creature cast a spell that costs a bonus action on its next turn?
The rules on casting a spell with a casting time of 1 bonus action state:
[...] You can’t cast another spell during the same turn, except for a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action.
The slow ...
