Does Cunning Action Let You Dash Twice?
In D&D 5th Edition, the Cunning Action feature allows a Rogue to take a Bonus Action to Dash, using their movement again. However, this raises an interesting question: can a Rogue use their Cunning Action to Dash twice in one round? In this article, we’ll dive into the rules and provide a definitive answer.
The Basics of Dash
Before we dive into the specifics of Cunning Action, let’s quickly recap how the Dash action works. According to the official 5th Edition PHB, the Dash action is:
- Action : Move up to 30 feet in a single direction.
- Benefits : You can freely move in a straight line without being slowed by other creatures or obstacles.
Simple enough, right? Now let’s move on to Cunning Action and see how it interacts with the Dash action.
Cunning Action and Dashing
The Cunning Action feature grants a Rogue the ability to take a Bonus Action, which can be used in a variety of ways, including Dashing. In this case, the official rules state:
- Cunning Action (Bonus Action): You can take a bonus action on your turn to take the Disengage or Hide action.
- Disengage (from combat): You can dismiss your attack and move your speed away from the foe.
- Hide (from combat): You can hide in the location you are in, reducing your visibility.
Notice how Dash is explicitly not listed as an action that can be taken on the Cunning Action. What does this mean? To answer this, let’s turn to the official guidelines on Bonus Actions.
Bonus Actions in D&D
According to the official 5th Edition PHB, when you take a Bonus Action, you can only take an action that is also listed as a bonus action. In this case, the Bonus Actions listed are Disengage and Hide. We don’t see Dash anywhere on that list.
Therefore, Cunning Action does not allow a Rogue to Dash twice. Cunning Action grants a Bonus Action, but Dash is not a part of that list. Only actions that are explicitly listed as Bonus Actions can be taken with Cunning Action.
Conclusion
So, to answer the original question: No, Cunning Action does not allow you to Dash twice. While Cunning Action allows you to take a bonus action, Dash is not an action that can be taken with Cunning Action.
Here’s a quick recap:
- Dash: Move up to 30 feet in a single direction.
- Cunning Action: Take a Bonus Action to use the Disengage or Hide actions.
- Bonus Action: Only actions listed under Bonus Actions can be taken.
Remember, the rulebook is your best friend (or worst enemy?) when it comes to deciding the outcome of your actions in the game. Always review the official rules and refer to your DM if there’s any confusion.
Next time, we’ll cover more D&D 5th Edition topics. Are you ready to level up your game?