Questions tagged [reactions]
For questions about reactions - an action taken by an entity in response to a trigger happening.
165
questions
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NPC Knight ability “parry” - how often can it be used?
In the Monster Manual the Knight has a reaction ability called Parry:
Parry. The knight adds 2 to its AC against one melee attack that would hit it. To do so, the knight must see the attacker and ...
4
votes
1answer
369 views
Can you move during your reaction in a ready action?
So let's say that the party or the baddies want to dive a target all at once, but they are far apart on the turn order. Can the divers all do a ready action and then all jump in at once?
Example:
...
4
votes
1answer
123 views
Can the Shield spell be cast in response to being hit by an invisible enemy?
Let's say I have a PC with the shield spell. I'm not surprised, and an invisible enemy hits me with an attack. My DM has not yet told me the attack roll number, so I am in a position to cast shield if ...
11
votes
1answer
514 views
Cutting Words timing when playing online
Lore Bard's Cutting Words feature states the following:
Also at 3rd level, you learn how to use your wit to distract, confuse, and otherwise sap the confidence and competence of others. When a ...
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3answers
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Is Ready required on your turn in order to use reaction abilities in between turns?
Do you have to Ready a reaction to use it? Thus, you would have had to used Ready as your action on your turn and wait for the trigger to use the reaction.
Would it be correct to say that you cannot ...
4
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3answers
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If I were to cast a spell limiting reactions (shocking grasp), does that mean the target can't make a saving throw?
The shocking grasp cantrip states that the target can not take reactions until the start of its next turn. Therefore, the target should not be able to cast spells like absorb elements and shield.
...
3
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0answers
70 views
Can you react mid movement? [duplicate]
Alice and Belle are in combat, 30ft apart from each other.
Alice takes first turn, and readies an action; "If Belle comes within 25ft of me, I move my full speed directly away."
On Belle's turn, ...
9
votes
3answers
721 views
Does the 3rd part of Shield Master continue working against multiple, same-source effects?
If you use the 3rd part of the Shield Master Feat;
If you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you can use your reaction to take no ...
11
votes
1answer
360 views
Can the reaction attack from the third benefit of the Sentinel feat be triggered by a shove or grapple?
The third benefit of the Sentinel feat says (PHB, p. 169-170; emphasis mine):
When a creature within 5 feet of you makes an attack against a target other than you (and that target doesn't have ...
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0answers
65 views
Fire Shield and Shield interaction [duplicate]
An awakened cat with wizard levels has fire shield active, and is melee attacked by a goblin within 5 feet of it. The goblin hits the cat but exceeds the cats AC by 4 or less.
Fire shield states:
...
9
votes
2answers
394 views
Can the target of the Dissonant Whispers spell choose to use its reaction to move if it succeeds on the save?
The description of the dissonant whispers spell says (PHB, p. 234):
On a successful save, the target takes half as much damage and doesn't have to move away.
Does this mean that the target can ...
2
votes
1answer
65 views
Entropic Ward Sneak Attack [closed]
Are you able to entropic ward an attack from stealth? Or would it just be assumed that you didn’t know it was coming therefore you can’t cast a reaction.
For reference the Great Old One Warlock gets ...
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5answers
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What are the balance ramifications of always preventing creatures from taking reactions before their first turn?
I've recently been toying with some rule modifications to 5e's Initiative rules in an attempt to resolve the rule/reality inconsistency where a player "gets the jump" on a monster, but the monster is ...
5
votes
1answer
916 views
When a Hexblade warlock uses the Accursed Specter feature on a slain creature but another character casts Soul Cage, which takes priority?
The Hexblade warlock's Accursed Specter feature does not have an action timing specified, and merely says (XGtE, p. 56; emphasis mine):
When you slay a humanoid, you can cause its spirit to rise ...
8
votes
1answer
678 views
What reactions are available to an artificer's homunculus servant?
The description of the artificer's homunculus servant states:
In combat, the homunculus shares your initiative count, but it takes
its turn immediately after yours. It can move and use its ...
7
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0answers
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How does the reaction from rank I of the Heavy Gunner talent, Covering Fire, work with area-of-effect attacks?
Rank I of the Heavy Gunner talent, Covering Fire, is described on page 97 of the Lancer Core Book First Edition PDF as follows (emphasis mine):
As a quick action, choose a character within line of ...
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3answers
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Can you use Shield as a reaction against the damage from Fire Form?
This issue came up in a recent session:
A character used Shocking Grasp against a Fire Elemental. Due to the Fire Elemental's ability Fire Form, the attacking Character took damage. Can they use ...
7
votes
1answer
127 views
Does a successful Tumble Through trigger reactions?
The text of tumble through says:
You Stride up to your Speed. During this movement, you can try to move through the space of one enemy. Attempt an Acrobatics check against the enemy’s Reflex DC as ...
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4answers
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Is Absorb Elements cast before or after a save? Is it cast before or after damage?
I was wondering where on "the stack" I can cast Absorb Elements. Is it when I get targeted, when I get hit, after I fail a save, or after the damage is rolled?
7
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1answer
428 views
RAW, can a 3rd level sword-and-board eldritch knight usefully cast Absorb Elements?
I often see Absorb Elements (AE) mentioned as a useful spell for an Eldritch Knight (EK), because it gives you temporary resistance to one type of damage and lets you add that type of damage to your ...
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1answer
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Does the Deflect Attack reaction of a Battle Smith artificer's Steel Defender impose disadvantage on all attacks from the chosen creature?
In Eberron: Rising from the Last War, the artificer's Battle Smith subclass grants you a Steel Defender that can use its reaction to give disadvantage on a creature's attack roll.
The Steel Defender ...
asked Nov 25 '19 at 20:12
Fernando Fuentes Martins
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7
votes
2answers
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For the Artificer's Flash of Genius feature, do you activate the ability before or after the results of the roll?
The Artificer from Eberron: Rising from the Last War gets the Flash of Genius feature at 7th level:
When you or another creature you can see within 30 feet of you makes an ability check or a saving ...
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2answers
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Can a Way of the Open Hand monk's Open Hand Technique prevent Legendary Action reactions?
Tiamat can take a Legendary Actions at the end of each turn, and I believe these were listed as reactions. Could an Open Hand Monk's Open Hand Technique prevent these legendary actions entirely?
Per ...
13
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1answer
992 views
If I Ready an action, can I then use my reaction for something else?
Merle the Wizard is fighting enemies with his friends on a bridge. He wants to cast a spell on the BBEG, but they are currently out of range and so he uses his action to ready a spell for when the ...
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4answers
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Can the Protection fighting style be used in this way?
One of the players in a party I DM is an Eldritch Knight and he uses "Protection " in every single battle. Here's what Protection is:
Protection
When a creature you can see attacks a target ...
6
votes
2answers
405 views
Does Cast a Spell trigger an Attack of Opportunity?
Attack of Opportunity (CRB, p142) does not list Cast a Spell as a trigger:
Trigger A creature within your reach uses a manipulate action or a move action, makes a ranged attack, or leaves a square ...
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0answers
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Does deflect missiles factor in damage resistances/immunities? [duplicate]
The Monk class gains the deflect missiles ability at level 3:
Deflect Missiles
Starting at 3rd level, you can use your reaction to deflect or catch
the missile when you are hit by a ranged ...
10
votes
3answers
224 views
If you fall prone during a Stride action, is the Stride action disrupted?
If you are Striding, and you trigger an attack of opportunity from an enemy wielding a flail, the flail's critical specialization can cause you to fall prone. If this happens, is your Stride action ...
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4answers
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Can the Twinned Spell metamagic be used on a spell cast as a reaction from the War Caster feat?
I'm not sure if this interpretation of RAW is correct or if there is any RAI that would decide if twinning a warcast spell is valid. Is there anything that makes it explicit that a single target spell ...
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2answers
374 views
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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2answers
286 views
Does preventing a creature from taking actions also prevent reactions? [duplicate]
I'm slightly confused by the use of the word "action" in the text. The section on "Reactions" states:
Certain special abilities, spells, and situations allow you to take a special action called a ...
4
votes
1answer
147 views
Are there limitations on what spells a creature can cast while holding a readied spell?
Are there limitations on what spells a creature can cast while holding a readied spell?
To give an example, say that a cleric uses their action to cast, and hold, a sacred flame, with some arbitrary ...
7
votes
1answer
296 views
Can a character use multiple reactions in response to the same trigger?
Let's say you're a fighter with Combat Reflexes, and Boundless Reprisals. This means that on a given turn, you will have up to 3 reactions to use: Two normal reactions, and one additional reaction ...
9
votes
2answers
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When, exactly, does the Rogue Scout get to use their Skirmisher ability?
As written, a Scout Rogue "can move up to half your speed as a reaction
when an enemy ends its turn within 5 feet of you." What exactly constitutes when an enemy "ends its turn"?
Does this mean the ...
7
votes
1answer
809 views
Can you cast bonus action and reaction spells while already casting a spell with a casting time longer than a turn?
Can a bonus action or reaction spell be cast while already casting a spell with a casting time of more than a turn?
(If the bonus action or reaction spell is not a concentration spell.)
I found this ...
7
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1answer
239 views
What comes first: A Berserker Barbarian's Retaliation attack or a Concentration Check?
Let us assume there is a Berserker Barbarian who is currently concentrating on a smite spell such as wrathful smite. Because they are concentrating on a spell the following applies:
Whenever you ...
10
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1answer
778 views
Some concentration spells give you a special action. Does the War Caster feat let these be used instead of opportunity attacks?
Some concentration spells give you a special action. Does the War Caster feat (PHB, p. 170) let these be used instead of opportunity attacks?
For a specific example, the dragon's breath (XGtE, p. 154)...
7
votes
1answer
308 views
Can a creature targeted by the Glamour bard's Mantle of Inspiration use its reaction to move if it already had temporary hit points previously?
The College of Glamour bard's Mantle of Inspiration feature (XGtE, p. 14) is worded this way:
As a bonus action, you can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to grant yourself a wondrous ...
3
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2answers
472 views
Do I have to take the Ready action to make an opportunity attack?
So, a friend and I are in a debate right now about how an opportunity attack works.
From what I understand after reading the handbook, you can only perform an opportunity attack if you use an action ...
7
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1answer
1k views
What happens if you cast Dissonant Whispers on a Hydra?
A Hydra gets extra reactions which "can be used only for opportunity attacks". The Dissonant Whispers spell forces a creature to consume its reaction to do stuff one cannot ordinarily do with a ...
asked Jul 13 '19 at 21:33
Please stop being evil
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7
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1answer
858 views
Is it possible to chain the Dissonant Whispers spell if multiple characters have the War Caster feat?
The Dissonant Whispers spell description (PHB, p. 234) states:
The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it takes 3d6 psychic damage and must immediately use its reaction, if ...
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0answers
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Does the effect of the Command spell take place immediately if cast on the target's turn? [duplicate]
The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or follow the command on its next turn.
If you were to cast Command as a reaction (e.g. readied action or war caster opportunity) on the turn of the ...
6
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1answer
272 views
If a caster wants to use a spell scroll as a reaction, do they need to already be holding it in their hand?
If a caster wants to use a spell scroll as a reaction (casting a spell that has a reaction casting time), do they need to already be holding it in their hand? What if they have the War Caster feat?
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2answers
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Can you use a reaction to affect initiative rolls?
Expanding upon this question in a tweet at Jeremy Crawford who confirms once again that Initiative is a skill check and can be modified by things that modify ability checks.
Cutting Words states
...
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3answers
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When does a character's reaction reset, per turn or per round?
When does a character's reaction reset, per turn or per round?
This happened last game and I'm just looking for clarification. My group has been playing (a 5e homebrew campaign) with an unspoken ...
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1answer
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If I have the War Caster feat, can I use the Thorn Whip cantrip to stop an enemy caster from escaping using the Dimension Door spell?
Assume I am playing a druid or warlock with the War Caster feat, which allows me to cast single target spells in place of using a melee attack of opportunity. I also know the thorn whip cantrip. A ...
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0answers
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Reaction while holding a readied action? [duplicate]
So when you hold an action using the Ready action you use your reaction to act when the trigger happens. however you're able to ignore the trigger. So while you are using the Ready action, are you ...
12
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1answer
2k views
What is the highest number of sneak attacks that a Pure/High Level Rogue (Level 17+) can make in one round?
Rogues only get one sneak attack per turn. Which means that they can only get it once on their turn and once with their reaction (through Sentinel or a Battle Master's Commander's Strike or an Attack ...
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2answers
619 views
If my Scout rogue has used his full movement on his turn, can he later use the reaction from the Skirmisher feature to move again?
Here is the situation I am wondering about:
My Rogue is in melee with an opponent. On his turn he disengages, and moves his full movement away from his opponent. The opponent, on their turn, uses ...
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2answers
656 views
Can I cast reaction spells like Shield or Counterspell when I'm in the middle of casting a spell with a long casting time and don't stop casting it?
Can I use reaction spells like shield or counterspell when I'm in the middle of casting a spell with a long casting time and don't stop casting it?
The Sage Advice Compendium says:
Can you cast a ...
