Questions tagged [actions]
This question involves the rules that apply to taking a certain action in a specified system.
318 questions
2
votes
2answers
168 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
225 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
152 views
Is there a way to move at least 10 feet and keep a full round action as a 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
118 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?
5
votes
3answers
427 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
75 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 ...
10
votes
1answer
659 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
88 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
207 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
108 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 ...
18
votes
3answers
663 views
+100
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
189 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
460 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
200 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
116 views
Can I Specify who the Help Action helps? [duplicate]
Let's say my party is attacking a dragon. I'm a Mastermind rogue who can use Master of Tactics to use the Help action as a bonus action if I'm within 30' of the dragon. Can I specify who in my party I'...
5
votes
3answers
324 views
Can you draw/sheathe a weapon while Dashing?
In the Player's Handbook (PHB), the rules for taking the Dash action read:
When you take the Dash action, you gain extra movement for the current
turn. The increase equals your speed, after ...
4
votes
2answers
424 views
Can you make a bonus-action attack from Two-Weapon Fighting before you take your action?
The rules on Two-Weapon Fighting state:
When you take the Attack action and attack with a light melee weapon that you’re holding in one hand, you can use a bonus action to attack with a different ...
1
vote
1answer
609 views
Why can I cast a reaction spell on the same turn as an action spell, but not on the same turn as a bonus-action spell? [closed]
Jeremy Crawford mentions the following example in this Sage Advice column (reiterated in the Sage Advice Compendium):
Cornelius the wizard is casting fireball on his turn, and his foe casts ...
2
votes
2answers
212 views
Can I retrieve and then stow away an item every turn without using up my Action?
The context for this question is a Shadow Origin Sorcerer that tries to fight exclusively within the Darkness spell created by their Eyes of the Dark feature (a feature which permits the sorcerer to ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
How many times can you exhale magical energy with one casting of the Dragon's Breath spell?
I need a brief clarification on the spell dragon's breath (Xanathar's Guide to Everything, p. 154):
Until the spell ends, the creature can use an action to exhale energy of the chosen type in a 15-...
9
votes
2answers
480 views
Can a human fighter use an action to attack with a greataxe and then a bonus action to do an unarmed attack?
I'm a fairly new DM and we are playing through the Starter Set campaign (Lost Mine of Phandelver).
One of my players, who chose the pregen human fighter, wanted to punch a goblin with his bonus ...
6
votes
1answer
179 views
Is a slowed creature denied the action to break free from Hold Person spell?
Hold person is a spell which prevents the target from doing anything except attempting to escape the spell as a full round action on a failed save. Slow is a spell which denies targets some actions on ...
4
votes
1answer
502 views
Can an attack with Alter Self's Natural Weapons be used at the time of casting?
If you cast alter self, you can give yourself natural weapons (to increase unarmed strikes to 1d6):
You assume a different form. When you cast the spell, choose one of the following options, the ...
6
votes
2answers
492 views
Does two weapon fighting's qualifying “attack” have to be part of the “Attack” action?
The rules for two-weapon fighting state:
When you take the Attack action and attack with a light melee weapon that you're holding in one hand, you can use a bonus action to attack with a different ...
10
votes
2answers
384 views
Does drinking an Antitoxin take an action?
Most items under Adventuring Gear (pg 150 of PHB) either explicitly state that they require an action (the Use Object action, to be specific) to use (eg. Caltrops, Holy Water, Climber's Kit) or ...
-5
votes
2answers
165 views
Does it take an action or an object interaction to pull a stirge from your neck?
The "Interacting with Objects Around You" sidebar on PHB p. 190 (or here in the basic rules) says:
Here are a few examples of the sorts of thing you can do in tandem
with your movement and action:...
19
votes
1answer
466 views
Could a Warlock use the One with Shadows eldritch invocation to remain invisible during a long rest/sleep?
The warlock's One with Shadows eldritch invocation presents an interesting opportunity: it gives you invisibility without requiring concentration. Specifically (PHB, p. 111):
One with Shadows
...
-3
votes
1answer
203 views
Can you apply the Vampiric Touch and Shocking Grasp damage together in one attack?
Can you apply vampiric touch and shocking grasp damage together in one attack?
Vampiric touch has concentrated duration of 1 minute and requires melee spell attack to deliver.
Shocking grasp ...
0
votes
1answer
212 views
Can a Legendary creature Ready a Legendary Action?
We got Tommy the Dragon who fights against Mark the adventurer. Tommy spends his Action doing a Dragon Breath, then before Tommy’s turn, has a Legendary action to Claw him. However, Mark is too far ...
6
votes
1answer
247 views
Are there any beasts with an always-available bonus action?
I'm currently playing a level 5 moon druid (PHB, p. 69), and I really like the call lightning spell. Unfortunately, it requires you to use your action repeatedly.
Now, I'm looking for a beast that I ...
0
votes
0answers
64 views
Drinking a potion in combat [duplicate]
So the DM and I had a discussion about whether or not drinking a potion in combat takes an action or a bonus action, and whether it would provoke attack of opportunity.
-1
votes
1answer
398 views
How does the Beast Master Ranger's Extra Attack work?
According to the PHB, the Beast Master's companion acts on your initiative but can't attack, dash, disengage, dodge, or help unless you consume your action to command it to do so. That said, there is ...
2
votes
1answer
95 views
How can a mage effectively use Simple Actions in combat?
While reading this excellent answer about spirit initiative, I realized directing my summoned spirit in combat will leave me without Complex Actions to cast spells in the usual way.
I realize this is ...
10
votes
2answers
318 views
Do I choose the target or the ally for the Help action?
When I use the Help action, do I choose the monster to distract (and then the next ally to attack gets advantage) or do I choose the ally and the monster (so that only his attack against that target ...
4
votes
3answers
646 views
How many attacks and other techniques can I make with the actions I have as a multiclassed Monk 6/Fighter 2/Rogue 3?
I am playing a multiclassed wood elf with the Charlatan background; my class levels are Monk 6, Fighter 2, and Rogue 3.
Does this mean on my turn this can happen:
Attack 1:
Shortbow 2d6 + dex ...
19
votes
4answers
3k views
Do ability checks in combat require an action?
I was under the impression that using skills, and therefore making an ability check in combat required an action. Note: I'm obviously not talking about passive perception, it's definitely passive, it'...
3
votes
0answers
57 views
Can you move between readying a spell and resolving its effect to avoid mage slayer or counterspell? [duplicate]
I was wondering whether you could take a move action in the middle of your Cast a Spell action (similar to moving between attacks), but the answers to this question say no.
However, can you cast the ...
5
votes
2answers
166 views
Action economy and polymorphing into a hydra
The polymorph spell would allow an 7th level character to turn themselves into a hydra with all the benefits that implies. The polymorph spell states:
(The spellcaster) gains all extraordinary ...
3
votes
1answer
217 views
Can a mechanic's exocortex actually hack?
In Starfinder, a mechanic with an exocortex gains the Wireless Hack ability at 5th level. It allows the exocortex to attempt a Computers check each round against a designated computer within 20 feet, ...
9
votes
2answers
475 views
Can a Thief Rogue use a Goodberry as a bonus action?
What action is it to use a Goodberry?
As with many things in 5e, the devil is in the details.
Considering that a Thief Rogue’s Fast Hands (using objects as a bonus action instead of an action) work ...
5
votes
2answers
372 views
Can you shove (Attack Action), attack (Extra Attack) and use Polearm Master's bonus action attack?
Question about the Polearm Master Feat. The first bullet point says (PHB, p. 168, bold added):
When you take the Attack action and attack with only a glaive, halberd, or quarterstaff, you can ...
0
votes
1answer
97 views
In a game with immediate actions, would combat reflexes grant extra immediate actions instead of additional attacks of opportunity?
Assuming that we make a house rule that contradicts Greysage’s answer for Is an attack of opportunity an immediate action?, would combat reflexes be able to grant additional immediate actions rather ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views
What are the basic limitations for using a Reaction to move? Does movement used on your Turn matter?
Please help my players and myself who are having trouble understanding what movement is allowed when using Reactions to move during and after each Turn in a Round.
In the player's handbook in "...
0
votes
0answers
90 views
Is it possible to hold both a longsword and a polearm to take advantage of both Attack of Opportunity ranges? [duplicate]
The proposed tactic requires that you hold both a polearm and a longsword at once, particularly when your turn ends. A creature triggers an attack of opportunity against you by moving outside of your ...
29
votes
1answer
2k views
Can you forgo your readied action to take an opportunity attack instead?
Example:
Player 1 uses the ready action to do something when something happens (unimportant)
Goblin, decides to charge across the battlefield and attack Player 2, but happens to cross paths with ...
13
votes
4answers
1k views
Do you get your free interaction during a readied action?
Example situation:
You're on the other side of a door. You have a spell slot available for Magic Missiles. Can you ready an action to, on the Rogue's signal, open the door and cast Magic Missiles at ...
13
votes
1answer
2k views
Why does the artificer's Healing Draught require two actions to take effect?
As written, the Artificer's Healing Draught requires a total of two actions to take effect:
Healing Draught. As an action, you can reach into your Alchemist’s Satchel and pull out a vial of healing ...
