Does rage give advantage on shove?

Does Rage Give Advantage on Shove?

When it comes to barbarian characters in Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), rage can be a powerful ability that enhances their strength and resilience in combat. One common question that arises is whether rage also provides advantage on shove, which can be a crucial aspect of close-quarters combat. In this article, we will explore the answer to this question and provide clarification on how rage affects shove checks.

Direct Answer

According to the official D&D Player’s Handbook (PHB), rage gives barbarians advantage on Strength checks (PHB, p. 71). This advantage applies to various forms of Strength checks, including melee attacks, throws, and even grapple attempts. However, there is no specific mention of shove in this section. Does this mean that rage does not provide advantage on shove?

Shove Checks

To clarify, let’s take a closer look at what shoves are in D&D. A shove is a special melee attack that allows the attacker to push a creature away from them (PHB, p. 195). In this case, the attack roll replaces the normal Strength check for pushing the creature. Since a shove is an attack, it might be logical to assume that rage would provide advantage on shoves. However, as we’ve already seen, there is no direct mention of shoves in the PHB.

Rage and Strength Checks

Rage specifically mentions that it provides advantage on Strength checks, not just melee attacks (PHB, p. 71). In the context of shoves, we can interpret this as rage granting advantage on the Strength check component of a shove. The advantage applies to the Strength check itself, not just the attack roll. This means that the barbarian will have a better chance of succeeding on the Strength check and pushing the creature away.

Rage and Melee Attacks

Another point to consider is how rage affects melee attacks. Rage grants a +2 bonus to damage rolls on melee attacks (PHB, p. 71). In the context of shoves, this bonus applies to the shove attack roll. With rage, the barbarian will deal an additional 2 damage if they succeed on the shove attempt. This means that, with rage active, the barbarian will be more likely to push the creature away successfully and with more force.

Rage and Shove Mechanics

Let’s summarize the effects of rage on shoves:

• Rage grants advantage on Strength checks for shoves (PHB, p. 71).
• Rage provides a +2 bonus to damage rolls on melee attacks, including shoves.
• Rage increases the barbarian’s overall effectiveness in close-quarters combat, making them more likely to succeed on shoves.

In Conclusion

To answer the original question, rage does give advantage on shove, although it’s not explicitly stated in the PHB. Rage grants advantage on Strength checks, which is applicable to shoves, and provides a bonus to damage rolls on melee attacks, including shoves. In combination, these effects make barbarians with rage more effective in close-quarters combat, including shoves. Remember to consult the official rules and the barbarian’s rage ability when deciding how rage affects your shove checks.

Rage Benefits and Disadvantages

Here are the benefits and disadvantages of rage, which can be relevant to shoves:

Keep in mind that this summary only covers the direct effects of rage on shoves. It’s essential to understand the entire rage ability and its interplay with other rules and mechanics to ensure optimal gameplay.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, rage does grant advantage on shove, making barbarians more formidable in close-quarters combat. With their increased Strength and damage output, they can effectively use shoves to manipulate their enemies and gain an upper hand. When playing a barbarian, consider how rage affects your shove attempts and how you can strategically use your rage ability to gain an advantage in combat.

Note: This article is based on the 5th edition Player’s Handbook (PHB) and may not apply to earlier or later editions of Dungeons and Dragons.