Does Flurry of Blows Stack with Extra Attack?
The Flurry of Blows ability and the Extra Attack feature are two popular options for fighters and monks in the 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons. While they both allow for additional attacks, they operate under different rules and conditions. In this article, we’ll explore whether Flurry of Blows stacks with Extra Attack and provide answers to some common questions.
What are Flurry of Blows and Extra Attack?
Before we dive into the stacking question, let’s quickly explain what Flurry of Blows and Extra Attack are.
- Flurry of Blows: This is a monk ability that allows them to make a bonus attack as a bonus action. The attack is made with the monk’s finesse or unarmed strike and can be used in addition to the monk’s regular attack.
- Extra Attack: This is a fighter ability that allows them to make an additional attack as a part of their regular attack action. The additional attack is made with the same attack roll and damage as the first attack.
Does Flurry of Blows Stack with Extra Attack?
Unfortunately, Flurry of Blows and Extra Attack do not stack. When a monk uses Flurry of Blows, they are already making multiple attacks, and the Extra Attack feature cannot be used in addition to these attacks. The Extra Attack feature is designed to work with the fighter’s regular attack action, not with the monk’s bonus attack.
Why Don’t They Stack?
There are a few reasons why Flurry of Blows and Extra Attack do not stack:
- Different Design Intentions: Flurry of Blows is designed to be a monk-specific ability that allows them to make multiple attacks with their finesse or unarmed strike. Extra Attack, on the other hand, is designed to be a fighter-specific ability that allows them to make an additional attack with their primary weapon.
- Game Balance: If Flurry of Blows and Extra Attack were to stack, it would give monks and fighters an excessive amount of attacks, potentially unbalancing the game.
- Mechanical Interactions: Flurry of Blows and Extra Attack interact with different mechanics in the game. Flurry of Blows is tied to the monk’s bonus action, while Extra Attack is tied to the fighter’s regular attack action.
What are the Implications?
If Flurry of Blows and Extra Attack do not stack, what does this mean for players? Here are a few implications:
- Monks and Fighters: If you’re a monk or fighter, you’ll need to choose which ability to use when. If you’re a monk, you’ll need to decide whether to use Flurry of Blows or another ability that can be used as a bonus action. If you’re a fighter, you’ll need to decide whether to use Extra Attack or another ability that can be used as part of your regular attack action.
- Combat Strategy: You’ll need to adjust your combat strategy based on the abilities you have available. If you’re a monk, you may want to use Flurry of Blows to make multiple attacks, while if you’re a fighter, you may want to use Extra Attack to make an additional attack.
- Character Builds: When building your character, you’ll need to consider which abilities are most important to your build. If you’re a monk, you may want to focus on abilities that complement Flurry of Blows, while if you’re a fighter, you may want to focus on abilities that complement Extra Attack.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Flurry of Blows and Extra Attack do not stack. While this may seem limiting, it’s important to remember that each ability has its own design intent and mechanical interactions. By understanding how these abilities work, you can make informed decisions about which abilities to use in combat and build your character accordingly.