Can you hold an extra attack in 5e?
Introduction:
In Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition (5e), the Extra Attack feature grants a character the ability to make an additional attack roll on their turn. Many players wonder if they can hold onto this extra attack for later use, delaying its execution until a subsequent turn or even a few turns later. In this article, we’ll investigate the answer to this common question.
Direct answer:
No, according to official published works from WotC, you can’t hold an extra attack in 5e.
Extra Attack and Extra Actions:
The Player’s Handbook specifically states that Extra Attack is an action in itself, not a feat that can be delayed:
"Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn."
(MPH: 163)
This passage clearly indicates that Extra Attack is an action, which means you can only take it on your turn and not hold it for a later turn.
Multiple Attacks:
Another thing to consider is that WotC explicitly states:
"If you gain the Extra Attack class feature from more than one class, the features don’t add together. They might make you able to attack at different times, but this is up to the DM to decide"
(MPH: 166)
This implies that individual Extra Attack feats from different classes don’t stack, and you only get one extra attack when you take the Extra Attack action.
Readying an Attack:
The Read the Riht feature states:
"You can ready your attack as a bonus action on your turn. Whenever you or a creature that you can see within the area moves, you can make an opportunity attack against that creature" (PHB:187)
While this feature enables you to make an opportunistic attack, it explicitly states that you can take the Read the Wight action during your turn. Read the entire piece from head-to-toe to get extra attacks, and you take the extra attack action is not delayed.
Opportunity Attacks:
Bullets List of Opportunity Actions:
• You can see the creature within the affected area.
• You start your turn within the affect area.
• A hostile creature you can see (or within the area.
• You or a monster you can see within it moves.
• You begin your turn in the next round
These conditions clarify when you can make a Read the Wight attack, but we still need to consider why you can’t hold another attack.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the majority of official published works for 5e explicitly stating that you can’t hold an extra attack in 5e when you take the Read the Wight for an attack or Opportunity Attack. Whether you have Extra Attacks from multiple classes and Extra Actions, actions are tied to your player’s turn.