Can a Monk Shove as a Bonus Action?
As a monk, you have the ability to use your martial arts skills to attack and defend yourself in combat. One of the key features of the monk class is the ability to use bonus actions to perform additional attacks or defensive maneuvers. But can a monk shove as a bonus action?
Direct Answer
According to the official Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules, a monk cannot shove as a bonus action. Shoving is considered an unarmed strike, which is a specific type of melee attack that requires an attack roll and can be affected by various factors such as armor class and attack bonus.
Why Can’t a Monk Shove as a Bonus Action?
There are a few reasons why a monk cannot shove as a bonus action:
- Unarmed Strike: Shoving is considered an unarmed strike, which is a specific type of melee attack that requires an attack roll and can be affected by various factors such as armor class and attack bonus. As a bonus action, a monk cannot perform an unarmed strike.
- Grapple and Shove: Grappling and shoving are separate actions that require different mechanics and rules. Grappling allows a monk to grab and restrain an opponent, while shoving allows them to push an opponent. Since shoving is a separate action, it cannot be performed as a bonus action.
- Flurry of Blows: A monk’s Flurry of Blows feature allows them to make multiple attacks in a single round. While this feature can be used to make multiple attacks, it does not allow a monk to perform shoving as a bonus action.
What Can a Monk Do as a Bonus Action?
So, what can a monk do as a bonus action? Here are some options:
- Enter Rage: A monk can enter a rage as a bonus action, which grants them additional benefits such as increased strength and resistance to damage.
- Use Ki: A monk can use their ki as a bonus action, which allows them to perform various abilities such as healing, buffing, or debuffing.
- Make an Unarmed Strike: A monk can make an unarmed strike as a bonus action, but this is not the same as shoving.
- Take a Defensive Stance: A monk can take a defensive stance as a bonus action, which grants them additional defensive benefits such as increased armor class and resistance to damage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a monk cannot shove as a bonus action. Shoving is a specific type of melee attack that requires an attack roll and can be affected by various factors such as armor class and attack bonus. While a monk can perform various actions as a bonus action, shoving is not one of them. Instead, a monk can use their bonus action to enter a rage, use their ki, make an unarmed strike, or take a defensive stance.