Questions tagged [bonus-action]
For questions about "bonus actions" in RPGs. In D&D 5e, this term is used to refer to a certain kind of quick action that can be taken alongside a regular action. A bonus action is considered a type of action, but you can take only 1 bonus action on your turn; actions and bonus actions are not interchangeable. The timing and distinction between actions and bonus actions is usually only important during combat, where timing is tracked more closely.
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Is there a way to grapple as a bonus action without attacking first?
I know there are some ways to grapple as a bonus action (like with the feat Tavern Brawler and the maneuver Grappling Strike), but I was wondering if there was a way to grapple as a bonus action ...
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Would it harm game balance to allow potions to be self-administered with a bonus action?
Potion usage costs an action according to RAW, as stated in the DMG on page 139:
Drinking or administering a potion takes an action.
However, I have heard of GM's house-ruling that PC's may use a ...
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Druid, Circle of Stars "Archer Starry Form" and Lvl 10 Twinkling Constellations form change: How many Luminous Arrow attacks can you make in one turn?
Starry Form
At 2nd level, you gain the ability to harness constellations' power to alter your form. As a bonus action, you can expend a use of your Wild Shape feature to take on a starry form, rather ...
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Ready Action and Bonus Action [closed]
In our weekly game we had a pretty typical question about a ready action, reaction and bonus action.
I was DM and here is how it starte.
The players decided to explore some ruins. As they explored, ...
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At what point is a character considered to have "taken the Attack Action"? [duplicate]
Per the rules of Bonus Action:
You choose when to take a bonus action during your turn, unless the bonus action's timing is specified, and anything that deprives you of your ability to take actions ...
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Does Unspoken Agreement stack with multi-attack or cantrips?
This question is about material from Genuine Fantasy Press's Compedium of Forgotten Secrets, which has a free version available.
Does Unspoken Agreement Spell stack with multi-attack or cantrips?
...
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What are the consequences of changing the rule for casting multiple spells in a turn to "You can spend no more than one spell-slot each turn"?
The D&D 5e rules for casting multiple spells in one round are a frequent source of confusion across tables in my experience. While the rule is just a line of text
You can’t cast another spell ...
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Can a Steel Defender attack in every round with the cost of only one Bonus Action?
In combat, if a Battle Smith Artificer commands a Steel Defender to attack in every round, does he need to use his bonus action in every round or only one command is necessary?
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Can you use Second Wind outside of combat? [duplicate]
The fighter's Second Wind feature says:
You have a limited well of stamina that you can draw on to protect yourself from harm. On your turn, you can use a bonus action to regain hit points equal to ...
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Rogue Holding Bonus Action to disengage once attacked
Can a player hold ONLY their bonus action? They take their turn, take the attack action, hold the bonus action. With disengage and dash as bonus actions, it puts the rogue in a better place to control ...
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Can you activate your Extra Attack from the Bonus Action Attack of your primal companion?
As stated in the title, I got curious about the interaction between the Attack action of my beast (which requires my Bonus Action) and the Extra Attack feature.
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack ...
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Can a Bladesinger wizard cast a Bonus Action spell and still use their Extra Attack feature to cast a cantrip on the same turn?
I noticed a peculiar rule interaction. The rule on casting 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,...
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Does ending the effect of Boots of Speed also require a bonus action?
The description for the Boots of Speed states:
While you wear these boots, you can use a bonus action and click the boots' heels together. If you do, the boots double your walking speed, and any ...
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Can you use your action to take a bonus action? [duplicate]
During a game tonight, I had a DM state using an action to do a bonus action is allowed by RAW. I was always taught this is not the case. I understand it's the DM's table, but for my own knowledge for ...
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Does the Psychic Blades second offhand attack gain the attack roll bonus? [duplicate]
Does the Psychic Blades second offhand attack gain the attack roll bonus as the text says the original weapon disappears and that the only thing that changes is the damage dice.
Also at 3rd level, ...
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When can you use a bonus action?
In the rules for bonus actions it states:
You choose when to take a bonus action during your turn, unless the bonus action's timing is specified ...
I have seen this quote used to justify some ...
user73918
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Does the Swift Quiver spell let you make 2 extra attacks with a bonus action on the same turn you cast it?
Swift Quiver takes a bonus action to cast, then it lets you use a bonus action to make two attacks. So the turn you cast it, you use your bonus action just to cast it, then you need another bonus ...
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How to get a ranged bonus action attack before/without attacking or using a combat manoeuvre?
I want to use Maneuvering Attack to move my mount, and then make an attack action on the creature I move towards. However I want the weapon attack that triggers this combat manoeuvre to be made as a ...
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Does moving by means of a bonus action provoke opportunity attacks?
The criteria for not provoking an opportunity attack when leaving an opponent’s reach are:
Take the Disengage action or
Teleport or
Move (or be moved) without using your action, reaction, or movement....
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Balancing around Eldritch Cannon's use as a bonus action
I am fairly new to DM'ing and I am going to be running a simple one shot soon. I intend to start the players at level 3 so they can enjoy the more entertaining class features and not be so squishy ...
user72548
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Can you use your bonus action while under the effects of the Fear spell?
The description of the fear spell states, in part:
While frightened by this spell, a creature must take the Dash action
and move away from you by the safest available route on each of its
turns, ...
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Multiple instances of the spell of Animate Dead and bonus action scope
If you cast Animate Dead, that allows you to use a bonus action to command any creature you made from "this spell". Do multiple instances of the effects created by the spell named Animate ...
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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:...
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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 ...
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Can the Poisoner feat let you activate a Dagger of Venom as a Bonus Action?
The Dagger of Venom is a magic item with the following special property :
You can use an action to cause thick, black poison to coat the blade. The poison remains for 1 minute or until an attack ...
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Does the Tasha's Mind Whip spell prevent bonus actions if you take away an action?
The description of the Tasha's mind whip spell states (TCoE, p. 115):
You psychically lash out at one creature you can see within range. The target must make an Intelligence saving throw. On a failed ...
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How many horns can be fired from Alicorn Lance during its duration?
I am somewhat confused by the wording of Alicorn Lance as stated in Elminster's Guide to Magic.
The text states:
Alicorn Lance
2nd-level evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Components: V, S, M (a lock ...
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Can an Artillerist artificer activate multiple Eldritch Cannons with the same bonus action?
To my understanding, an Artillerist artificer can create an Eldritch Cannon during a battle using an action. The first one of the day doesn't require expending a spell slot.
But what about activation ...
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Will multiclassing my warlock into bard with bardic inspiration give me an effective way to use my bonus action in battle?
In a party with a level 3 Warlock Tiefling - The Fiend (Pact of the Tome). We are noticing that the party members benefit more from bonus actions than the Warlock. Since that member is the only caster ...
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Can a Homunculus freely take a bonus action granted to it by a specific rule such as a spell?
After the errata / Tasha's, we know that you can use your character's bonus action to command a Homunculus to use a Spell Storing Item. I think we also know that a Homunculus can freely maintain ...
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As a monk, if I throw a dart with my action, can I make an unarmed strike using my bonus action?
As a monk, after failing to hit someone with a dart throw, can I make an unarmed strike against an enemy close to me using my bonus action?
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Can a Kensei monk spend a bonus action to use the Kensei's Shot feature after they make an attack roll, and still do the extra damage on that attack?
The Way of the Kensei monk's Path of the Kensei feature grants several benefits, including Kensei's Shot. The wording of Kensei's Shot is as follows (Xanathar's Guide to Everything, p. 34):
You can ...
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Does the Artificer's Spell-Storing Item effectively bypass the bonus action spellcasting rule?
The rule on Bonus Action Casting Time 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 ...
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Do bonus actions trigger the save from an Internal Injury?
One of the possible injuries from the optional "Lingering Injuries" table in the DMG is Internal Injury:
Internal Injury. Whenever you attempt an action in combat, you must make a DC 15 ...
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Can an incapacitated character still use bonus actions?
The Incapacitated condition says:
An incapacitated creature can’t take actions or reactions.
Can someone who is incapacitated still take bonus actions?
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How can a rogue use Dash as a regular action, if actions and bonus actions aren't interchangeable?
I've found two chains of Twitter posts by Jeremy Crawford that I can't seem to make sense of.
According to a Crawford tweet from August 2018:
Actions and bonus actions aren't interchangeable.
...
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Can the Polearm Master bonus attack only be used after the main attack?
The first benefit of the Polearm Master feat says (PHB, p. 168):
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
...
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Does the monk's Step of the Wind ability allow them to double their jump distance without using Dash or Disengage as a bonus action?
I was playing a game of D&D 5e the other day and got into a disagreement with the DM. I have a monk character that made a long jump off a wall using Step of the Wind. The plan was to do Flurry of ...
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Can you use a bonus action in the middle of an attack (e.g. after the attack roll, but before the outcome is determined)?
Say you're a paladin, and you want to cast searing smite (PHB, p. 274).
Can I roll my attack, see the result, and decide if I want to spend my bonus action on searing smite before the outcome is ...
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Is it possible to cast a quickened Fireball as a bonus action, and also use a bonus action to make an attack with Spiritual Weapon on the same turn?
I started playing like a month ago, and the DM was nice enough to create a character for me and write me into the story. I've never played D&D before, but I told him I wanted to be a glass cannon ...
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Is it possible for a rogue to get a second action/bonus action?
I know all characters get one action and one bonus action, but say I want to use misty step (via the Eladrin's Fey Step racial feature) and follow through with my dual swords. I know that misty step ...
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Can I make an attack as my action, and cast a spell with a casting time of 1 action as my bonus action?
I am playing a rogue who chose the archetype Arcane Trickster, which means I can cast spells.
Can I make a normal-range or close-range attack for my main action, and as a bonus action cast a spell ...
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Using Divine Smite as a dual-wielder
Divine Smite allows my Paladin to expend a spell slot to deal extra damage after landing a melee attack. My character wields two swords. Since Divine Smite isn't a bonus action (because the rules don'...
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Can you use a bonus action between the separate attacks of a spell?
Similar to my recent question about moving between a spell's attacks I am curious about whether RAW you can use a bonus action between a spells attacks.
Unlike in the case of movement, bonus actions ...
user60913
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If you use two Scimitars of Speed, do you get 2 bonus action attacks?
The description for a Scimitar of Speed says:
...you can make one attack with it as a bonus action on each of your turns.
The general rule for Bonus Actions is stated as such:
You can take only one ...
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How many times can a Lvl 17 Astral Self (UA) Monk attack, including bonus action
I believed this was straight forward, but I had a discussion with one of my players who didn't see it the same way as I did.
According to Unearthed Arcana's Way of the Astral Self's subclass features,...
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If I use a bonus action to do something besides cast a spell, can I cast a non-cantrip spell with my action?
In D&D 5e, what are the rules for casting spells when using a bonus action to do something besides cast a spell?
For example, if I'm using a Cunning Action to Disengage as a bonus action, can I ...
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Can you cast a bonus-action-spell as a bonus action AFTER casting a action-spell/cantrip as an action? [duplicate]
From the Player's Handbook (p. 202) under Casting Time > Bonus Action,
A spell cast with a bonus action is especially swift. You must use a bonus action on ...
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Does a Thief rogue's Fast Hands allow you to drink a potion as a bonus action?
A recent D&D Beyond article, Epic House Rules: Potion Toxicity and Quick Drinking, mentioned this houserule:
Variant: Quick Potion Drinking
You can use a bonus action, instead of an action, to ...
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Is there a scenario where a gnoll flesh gnawer can move at least 45 feet during its Rampage bonus action?
The base movement speed of a gnoll flesh gnawer is 30 feet, and if it activates rampage by bringing a creature to 0 hit points, it can move an additional 15 feet for a total of 45 feet during "normal" ...
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