Can You Cast a Bonus Action Spell Before an Action?
In many cases, players in 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons are left wondering how to optimize their turns for maximum effect. One fundamental question that often arises is whether a player can cast a bonus action spell before a regular action. In this article, we’ll examine the official rules and popular opinions on this topic.
The Official Rules:
The Player’s Handbook (PHB) dictates that bonus actions are cast as a bonus action or at the start of our turn (PHB pg. 193). What does this mean? By definition, a bonus action is taken in addition to our regular action, whenever we have the opportunity.
Timing is Everything
To answer the question succinctly, no you cannot cast a bonus action spell before a regular action. The timing guidelines set by the PHB clearly indicate that bonus actions are cast as a separate action or at the beginning of our turn. Once you’ve taken your first action, you cannot pause and take a bonus action. Instead, you may choose to use your bonus action as your second action.