Questions tagged [actions]
For questions involving the rules that apply to taking a certain action in a specified system.
697
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27
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Does The Amazing Lightspeed Horse work, RAW?
N Medium humanoids have gathered on an arbitrarily long field, standing in a line with each creature 120 feet away from each of its neighbors. The creature at one end of the line is mounted on a horse ...
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9
votes
1
answer
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What can animated objects do in a fight?
Things affected by Animate Objects can be issued commands. When ordered to attack in combat, they will make a single melee attack. Grapple, Hold, Help, etc are not mentioned in the spell description.
...
- 35k
0
votes
1
answer
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Can I cast Blade Ward and then make my monk unarmed strike with a bonus action? [duplicate]
If my Monk uses an action to cast Blade Ward, can I use my bonus action to make an unarmed strike?
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9
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1
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Way of the Sun Soul, Radiant Bolt clarification
I'm struggling to interpret the way the rules are written for this monastic tradition, specifically this passage:
When you take the Attack action on your turn and use this special attack as part of ...
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23
votes
2
answers
262k
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How does the Ready action work?
So from reading the Player's Handbook, it seems that the Ready action is taken instead of any other action as it is an action in its own right. However, can you move on the same turn that you ready an ...
- 149k
5
votes
1
answer
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Can I get my friend's weapon in combat using my object interaction?
On my turn, can I get the weapon of another friendly character (with his permission) during combat after he has performed his action?
If possible, would I use my object interaction to do so?
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23
votes
9
answers
8k
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Can you ready an action for "immediately before my next turn"?
I have two actions that I want to do, one right after the other. I want to try to avoid anything happening between the two actions that could interfere with my plan.
What I want to do is, on one turn, ...
- 2,242
19
votes
3
answers
2k
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Are there any mechanical issues with removing the concept of "triggers" for readied actions?
Since I first read the Ready Action rules, the concept of a trigger rubbed me the wrong way. The idea that a character cannot adapt and improvise in the moment seems odd to me, and when I imagine them ...
- 68.3k
30
votes
8
answers
129k
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Does an Action Surge grant a second bonus action?
We were trying to understand how the "Action Surge" rule works, and after some discussion we came to a standstill.
Starting at 2nd level, you can push yourself beyond your normal limits for a ...
- 149k
9
votes
2
answers
3k
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Can you use a bonus action before a held readied action?
I know you can not "Ready" a bonus action. But can you ready an attack action and use the bonus action before the attack action when the action is triggered?
The rule for bonus actions says:...
- 19.6k
1
vote
1
answer
1k
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When can I use the Polearm Master bonus action attack? [duplicate]
The first benefit of PAM says
When you take the Attack action and attack with only a glaive, halberd, quarterstaff, or spear, you can use a bonus action to make a melee attack with the opposite end ...
- 28.8k
43
votes
2
answers
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Does picking up a weapon or drawing one take an action?
I ran into a couple of questions while playing D&D 5th:
Does drawing a weapon take an action?
Does picking up a weapon from the ground take an action?
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-6
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1
answer
622
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Do I have to attack to use Extra Attack?
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 ...
- 49.9k
1
vote
1
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511
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If I get access to a spell attack that's NOT part of a spell, can I use it when I take the Attack action?
Some creatures have entries in their stat block that are classified as 'melee spell attack', or 'ranged spell attack', without actually being tied to the casting of a spell. Some PC subclasses also ...
- 48.4k
2
votes
1
answer
741
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Sheathing/unsheathing weapons to cast spells
My friend is playing as a cleric that uses a shield in combat. I am unsure of how the rules for sheathing/dropping weapons work. The way my friend is playing, he seems to be able to cast a spell and ...
- 2,253
12
votes
1
answer
143
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Can you grow or change a feature on the same turn it’s added?
In the game Cozy Town, you pull a card on every turn from the appropriate deck and check it against the town oracle. The oracle then gives a choice of events for what happens in the town this week. ...
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10
votes
3
answers
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Wielding a Hand Crossbow and a Rapier with Crossbow Expert Feat while dropping & picking up the Rapier
I am trying to see if I am breaking any rules of D&D 5e here.
I am a Swashbuckler Rogue (possibly irrelevant).
I am wielding a hand crossbow and a rapier in each hand, with the Crossbow Expert ...
6
votes
3
answers
4k
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Can you cast a spell with a casting time of 1 action while falling?
Can you cast a spell with a casting time of 1 action while falling assuming you are falling for at least one turn before hitting the ground.
I want to have some insight into the possibility of a PC ...
- 149k
17
votes
3
answers
15k
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Can Lay on Hands be used to both heal hit points and remove diseases/poisons with the same action?
The Paladin's Lay on Hands feature says:
As an action, you can touch a creature and [...] restore a number of hit points to that creature.
It also goes on to say:
Alternatively, you can expend 5 ...
- 49.9k
13
votes
1
answer
11k
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How should my Warlock player use their familiar during battles?
One of my players has a Warlock character and is using Pact of the Chain for their Pact Boon. They most often cast a pseudodragon as their familiar, but neither of us are sure about how they should be ...
- 6,350
5
votes
3
answers
580
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How can I combine a Strike and a Stride?
Rangers can use the Skirmish Strike to Step and Strike. Most enemies however don't do you a favor and stand just 5 feet away after you killed one of their friends.
What is the lowest investment for ...
- 4,208
2
votes
1
answer
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How many attacks can I make with the Sudden Charge feat?
Braun is a young Dwarf Barbarian. He uses the Sudden Charge feat to get to the Kobold:
With a quick sprint, you dash up to your foe and swing. Stride twice. If you end your movement within melee ...
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7
votes
4
answers
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Can I combine Haste, Green Flame Blade, Divine Smite, and Thunderous Smite like this?
This question is asking if my coup de grace manoeuvre action-sequence, that could only be pulled off once per long rest, is working as intended. I'll try to keep what I am trying to do as simple as ...
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3
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0
answers
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is it possible to use a net and shove in the same turn? [duplicate]
My PC has multiple attacks. I would like to know if it is possible to hit with a net (first attack) and then shove the opponent (second attack). Apparently using a net prevents to make a second attack;...
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17
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2
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2k
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Does making an ability check take an action? [duplicate]
The only ability checks that are listed as an action in the game are Dexterity (Stealth) when taking the Hide action, and Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) for the Search action. Do ...
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1
vote
1
answer
121
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When does a Taunt action take effect during starship combat?
According to Starfinder's starship combat rules on the Captain's Taunt action:
You can use the communications system to broadcast a taunting message to the enemy vessel. You select an enemy vessel ...
- 4,149
8
votes
1
answer
2k
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Can a hasted steel defender benefit from its extra actions?
Haste provides an extra action that can be used to Attack (one weapon Attack only), Dash, Disengage, Hide, or Use an Object.
In combat, the defender shares your initiative count, but it takes its ...
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6
votes
3
answers
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Do named actions in monster statblocks use the Attack action?
This question is inspired by the following and stems from wondering whether the Steel Defender's "Force-Empowered Rend" action involves taking the Attack action:
Can a hasted steel defender ...
- 1,539
10
votes
2
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If you cast a spell as a bonus action, can you use an action provided by some ongoing spells on the same turn?
If you cast a spell with a bonus action, you can't cast a spell with a casting time of one action (PHB, p. 202):
A spell cast with a bonus action is especially swift. You must use a bonus action on ...
13
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3
answers
16k
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Can you use a Bonus Action on a turn other than your own?
The rules for Bonus Actions (PHB, pg.189) state;
You can take only one bonus action on your turn...
Which to me can be read in two ways.
You can only take a bonus action if it is your turn.
You can ...
- 211k
5
votes
1
answer
2k
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What kind of action is it to put away a shield without dropping it?
I am currently playing a sword and board slayer how likes to switch his warhammer to two-handed or back in a pinch.
However, it is not clear to me how I can do this without dropping the shield. He is ...
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5
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1
answer
428
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What's the deal with readying a swift action?
From Combat
Readying an action is a Standard Action
You can ready a Swift Action.
Interrupting someone with your readied action places your initiative just ahead of that person for the next round.
...
- 43.2k
10
votes
2
answers
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What action does stowing a weapon require?
The rules used to be fairly clear on this point, but they seem to have been errata'd into a more ambiguous state on this matter. Currently there doesn't seem to be strict guidance as to what it takes ...
- 43.2k
12
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2
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How does Blink work versus a readied action in this PvP scenario?
Bit of an odd one but I want rulings for this scenario:
Yes this is PVP and it ended up been fun at the table, and no one was upset.
Playing a Level 7 College of Swords Bard with a Homebrew Magic ...
- 30k
1
vote
1
answer
302
views
What action do I need to fall prone
I am looking for information what action I have to use when I want to go prone like lay flat on the floor. I can as a swift action stand up from prone and want to duck behind a table stand up shoot ...
- 4,149
46
votes
5
answers
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Shield Master - Can the shield push be taken before an attack?
Can the shield push from the Shield Master feat be taken before an attack? i.e. Push prone, follow up with an attack while they're down.
Shield Master
You use shields not just for protection ...
1
vote
0
answers
2k
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Holding, Delaying, or Readying an Action? - Rules As Written [duplicate]
Please point or link me to any official rules (rules as written) on when a character can delay, hold or ready an action for later in a round, instead of going on their initiative.
What does a ...
- 76k
8
votes
1
answer
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Swift casting using a Warpriest's Fervor, while two-weapon fighting
I am looking at creating a TWF Warpriest for an upcoming campaign and was wondering how the action economy works if I am wielding two kukris but then want to swift cast using Fervor. Am I going to ...
5
votes
4
answers
5k
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How can you use a healing surge during battle?
In the PHB it says:
Even in a heated battle, you can heal. You can heal yourself by using your second wind (see page 291), an ally can use the Heal skill (see page 185) on you, and an ally can use ...
- 6,250
30
votes
1
answer
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Drawing and sheathing a weapon in 5e, and the actions required
I've seen this question asked about 4e, and I think I've found the passage in the 5e PHB that answers the question, but I'd like to make sure I understand this correctly before I impose it on my game.
...
- 1
21
votes
5
answers
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Can you throw more than one weapon per turn?
How do thrown weapons interact with the Extra Attack feature? Can you throw more than one weapon per turn?
How about two-weapon fighting? Do you need the Dual-Wielder feat to throw two weapons ...
- 2,569
2
votes
1
answer
675
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Path of War Defense conundrum?
Path of War has Strike, Boost, Counter, and Stance.
Strike - usually an attack and extra damage and some effects
Boost - extra damage usually
Counter - repost, dodge, reaction
Stance - at will ...
- 6,250
8
votes
2
answers
3k
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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, ...
- 49.9k
10
votes
1
answer
2k
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Using Extra Attack feature with two-handed weapon and additional thrown weapon
As the title states, I have a question about how the rules handle using the Extra Attack class feature to make two separate attacks with a two-handed weapon and a thrown weapon.
PHB Errata. Two-...
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46
votes
7
answers
47k
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Can an unconscious person drink a potion?
PHB 153 reads:
Potion of Healing. A character who drinks the magical red fluid in
this vial regains 2d4 + 2 hit points. Drinking or administering a
potion takes an action.
By my interpretation,...
- 49.9k
6
votes
2
answers
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Can I use the Illusionist's Bracers and the Twinned Spell metamagic to cast a twinned Booming Blade as both an action and a bonus action?
The description of the illusionist's bracers (GGR, page 178) says:
While wearing the bracers, whenever you cast a cantrip, you can use a bonus action on the same turn to cast that cantrip a second ...
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17
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2
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Does the Battle Smith artificer's Steel Defender get a full turn?
I know the Steel Defender uses your initiative and goes immediately after you. What I'm not sure about is what is can actually do on its turn.
Does a Steel Defender get a full turn?
Action
Free ...
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7
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1
answer
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The Inquisitive rogue's Eye for Detail feature allows bonus-action Perception checks. Would that negate disadvantage on attacks when heavily obscured?
The Inquisitive rogue subclass allows Perception checks as a bonus action. Would that remove or affect disadvantage on attacks in a heavily obscured area during combat?
Let's say an Inquisitive rogue ...
- 49.9k
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2
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Can I use the additional action from the Haste spell to break free of an Assassin Vine or similar things?
The description of the haste spell states, in part:
Choose a willing creature that you can see within range. Until the spell ends, [...] it gains an additional action on each of its turns. That ...
- 49.9k
14
votes
3
answers
5k
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Is the DMG's Disarm option 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 ...
- 94.8k