Can you multi attack with spells?

Can you Multi Attack with Spells in 5E?

With the introduction of the Combat Handbook in the 5E edition of Dungeons & Dragons, the rules for managing combat have become more granular and nuanced. Amidst the plethora of terminology and mechanics, one vital question has been on fans’ minds: Can I simultaneously multitarget firewalls a la "Fireball-a-Palooza"-style? The answer has sparked debate among players, DMs, and meta-gamers alike, leading to this comprehensive study on the subject.

What is Multiattack?

Multitargeting, frequently referred to as "MULTIATTACK," defines the ability to make individual attacks against multiple targets by using a single action token. This capability is limited to certain abilities, effects, and feats, outlined in the official 5E rulebook. There are, however, distinctions between weapon-based attacks like the "Extra Attack" feature and spell-based, which we will explore exhaustively.

Spellcasting Primer

Spells Aren’t Actions: Spells demand a separate action, labeled as "Cast a Spell," which diverges distinctively from the "Action" token reserved for fighting, movement, or problem-solving. When casting an action spell, you surrender your action token, granting you no possibility of another action during that turn

Bonus Actions: Those spells that permit bonus uses, such as Quickening, do not grant any additional action tokens. Since bonus actions rely on dedicated spellcasting points, each bonus action will still displace your original action (Table 1 : Bonus Action Breakdown below)

Quickening Spells: Spells relying on Quickening, granting bonus uses, do maintain their original action token during the bonus casting. Remember however Quickened versions relinquish the original spell’s attack roll and other effects until the bonus use is re-channeled and resolution made

Spells + Extra Attack: Combining Extra Attack with spell attacks is a bit more manageable. When utilizing Extra Attack, you still need maintain the "Attack" and "Cast a Spell" actions separately, as indicated in the Extra Attack phrase: "When you Attack in your turn, if you have the Extra Attack feature, you can immediately make an additional Attack(s) as part of a single action."

Targeting and Range: Most spells, particularly those mentioned herein’s descriptions involve pointable targets. Pointable range is defined as the effective distance where you can freely target specific entities. Consider the following factors when adjudicating multitarget ability:

• Range/Distance: Determine the valid range for your spell action
• Target Range: Calculate the distance covering the targeted area

• Within Range/Limit: Your spell succeeds within the pointable range
• Beyond Range/Limit : Your spell fails/suffers penalties beyond the area

Case Studies with Spells

• Healing Word: A castable spell requiring a healing word, Healing Word (PHR 272) is available as a bonus action utilizing the cleric’s Channel Life force ability. This indicates that, upon casting in each healing interaction your regular standard action is spent, without any possibility for an extraneous action (Subheading: "Healing Word" in the subheading below)
  <>
  

  </Heiling Ver word>

• For the Fireball AOE (PH 246), it is advisable to maintain your action dedicated to casting and avoid taking an additional action, using the spell as a central focus. Keep in touch with your party and party members, allowing them support and assistance throughout the attack

Fireball Cast

• An example of an Ability-Granting Spell Effect is Becast (PH 224). In such cases make sure to utilize the regular action for the spell caster, and ensure that action is spent (1). There is typically no additional action for another spell, because the one you cast was already handled

Fireball Attack

Note: This list is the most common cases of cases of spells being used where you can not multitargate

In conclusion as we have discussed, utilizing spells in combination with attacking is a bit more abstract than weapon-based attacks that can be handled with. But there are specific cases
where you can multitarged spells. When casting individual spells, make sure those spells are point-targable and adjust your actions according to individual spellcasting and multitreatment.