Does Flurry of Blows Trigger Extra Attack?
In the world of Dungeons and Dragons, monks are known for their impressive combat abilities, particularly their ability to deal massive amounts of damage in a short period of time. One of the most iconic features of the monk class is their Flurry of Blows ability, which allows them to make an additional attack in a round. But does this ability trigger the Extra Attack feature, which is also available to monks starting at 5th level?
Direct Answer:
Unfortunately, Flurry of Blows does not trigger the Extra Attack feature. According to the official Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition rulebook, Flurry of Blows is a bonus action that allows the monk to make an additional attack, but it does not qualify as an attack that can trigger the Extra Attack feature.
What is Extra Attack?
Before we dive deeper into the rules, let’s take a look at what Extra Attack is. Extra Attack is a feature that allows a monk to make an additional attack in a round, starting at 5th level. This feature can be triggered by the monk’s Attack action, and it does not require any additional abilities or spells.
How Does Flurry of Blows Work?
Flurry of Blows is a bonus action that allows a monk to make an additional attack in a round. However, this attack takes a -2 penalty to hit, and it also applies to all other attacks made by the monk in that round. This means that the monk can make an additional attack, but it will be less accurate than their other attacks.
Why Does Flurry of Blows Not Trigger Extra Attack?
So why does Flurry of Blows not trigger the Extra Attack feature? The answer lies in the wording of the Extra Attack feature. According to the rulebook, Extra Attack is triggered by the monk’s Attack action, and it allows the monk to make an additional attack in a round. Flurry of Blows, on the other hand, is a bonus action that allows the monk to make an additional attack, but it is not triggered by the monk’s Attack action.
Consequences of Not Triggering Extra Attack
So what are the consequences of Flurry of Blows not triggering the Extra Attack feature? Well, for one thing, it means that the monk will not be able to make as many attacks in a round as they would if they were using the Extra Attack feature. Additionally, it means that the monk’s attacks will not be as accurate as they would be if they were using the Extra Attack feature.
Tips and Tricks
So what can you do to get the most out of Flurry of Blows without triggering the Extra Attack feature? Here are a few tips and tricks:
- Use Flurry of Blows in conjunction with other abilities: While Flurry of Blows may not trigger the Extra Attack feature, it can still be used in conjunction with other abilities to make a significant impact in combat.
- Focus on accuracy: Since Flurry of Blows applies a -2 penalty to hit, it’s a good idea to focus on accuracy and try to hit your enemies with your other attacks.
- Use Flurry of Blows to take advantage of enemy weaknesses: Since Flurry of Blows is a bonus action, you can use it to take advantage of enemy weaknesses and make attacks that are more likely to hit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Flurry of Blows does not trigger the Extra Attack feature in Dungeons and Dragons. While this may seem limiting, there are still many ways to get the most out of Flurry of Blows and use it to make a significant impact in combat. By focusing on accuracy and using Flurry of Blows in conjunction with other abilities, you can still make the most of this powerful monk feature.
References
- Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition Rulebook: The official rulebook for Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition.
- Flurry of Blows: A bonus action that allows a monk to make an additional attack in a round.
- Extra Attack: A feature that allows a monk to make an additional attack in a round, starting at 5th level.