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.
24
questions
33
votes
4
answers
41k
views
Can you break up your Attack action for a bonus action?
You can do it to move:
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. For example, a fighter who can ...
- 62.5k
50
votes
10
answers
217k
views
Casting multiple spells in a single round
In the PHB page 202 under the bonus action heading it states:
You can't cast another spell during the same turn, except for a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action.
This seems to state that if ...
- 501
46
votes
5
answers
64k
views
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 ...
- 144k
37
votes
4
answers
13k
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 ...
- 52.3k
26
votes
2
answers
10k
views
Does order matter when casting a cantrip with a casting time of a bonus action and another spell?
When casting a spell as a bonus action, you can't cast another spell on the same turn except a 1-action cantrip - can the order be "reversed"? Can you cast a cantrip first as a bonus action, then any ...
- 13.3k
53
votes
6
answers
721k
views
Two-Weapon Fighting & Bonus Actions
During the latest gaming session our level 3 Rogue was Two-Weapon fighting with a Rapier in the main-hand and a scimitar in the off-hand. At the completion of our gaming session I contested the ...
- 717
17
votes
2
answers
17k
views
Are actions and bonus actions interchangeable?
While I know you can't cast 2 spells of first level or higher in a turn, and actions can't just be used as bonus actions, is the reverse true?
Say there's a barbarian cleric that rages as a bonus ...
- 195
13
votes
5
answers
5k
views
Do you have to take the Attack action before you can make the bonus-action attack from the Crossbow Expert feat?
The third benefit of the Crossbow Expert feat says (PHB, p. 165):
When you use the Attack action and attack with a one-handed weapon, you can use a bonus action to attack with a hand crossbow you are ...
- 6,532
22
votes
2
answers
9k
views
Can a Bonus Action be used outside of a combat encounter?
Is there anything preventing a character from using an ability such as Second Wind, or casting a spell such as Misty Step, when not engaged in a combat encounter?
The rules indicate you get one Bonus ...
- 1,344
33
votes
1
answer
61k
views
Can I use a bonus action before my action?
In D&D 5e can I use my bonus action before my action? For example if I wanted to cast Ensnaring Strike before my action to benefit from the bonus immediately.
Is this OK, or is a bonus action ...
- 441
19
votes
3
answers
20k
views
Can you ready a bonus action?
The Ready action states:
Then, you choose the action you will take in response to that trigger...
I am unsure whether this means you can only ready an action such as Dodge, Hide, Attack, Cast A ...
- 75.6k
18
votes
2
answers
3k
views
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
8
votes
2
answers
4k
views
What actions, bonus actions or reactions can a character perform out of / outside of combat?
DnD 5e has a fairly clear set of rules governing a player's possible Actions in Combat, and in other fast-paced situations a GM may break time into rounds. Among the listed actions, some would seem to ...
- 2,035
7
votes
1
answer
2k
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 ...
- 3,151
20
votes
1
answer
15k
views
Can you use a wand to cast a spell after casting a spell as a bonus action?
Almost every wand that casts a spell (eg Wand of Fireballs, Wand of Lightning Bolts, and Wand of Magic Detection) contains the wording:
While holding it, you can use an action to expend 1 [or more] ...
- 94k
27
votes
2
answers
5k
views
If your bonus-action spell is counterspelled, are you still restricted to casting a cantrip that turn?
The rules for bonus-action spells state:
You must use a bonus action on your turn to cast the spell, provided that you haven't already taken a bonus action this turn. You can't cast another spell ...
- 94k
18
votes
5
answers
12k
views
Can an Eldritch Knight use the bonus-action attack granted by War Magic before casting the spell as an action?
A Fighter with the Eldritch Knight martial archetype gets the feature War magic at 7th level (and Improved War Magic at 18th level). The War Magic feature (PHB, p. 75) states:
Beginning at 7th ...
- 4,714
13
votes
1
answer
8k
views
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 ...
- 78.6k
7
votes
3
answers
2k
views
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
...
- 1,536
7
votes
1
answer
347
views
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 ...
- 19k
28
votes
1
answer
13k
views
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?
- 7,777
16
votes
4
answers
8k
views
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
15
votes
3
answers
23k
views
Does the double-bladed scimitar's special attack let you use your ability modifier for the damage of the attack?
I am using the double-bladed scimitar with the Revenant Blade feat from Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron.
The double-bladed scimitar's special feature (p. 74):
Special. When you take the attack action ...
- 153
7
votes
3
answers
596
views
Are there features that actually specify their own bonus action timing?
The PHB States:
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 also prevents ...
- 124k