How does flurry work?

How Does Flurry Work?

Flurry of Blows is a combat feature available to monks in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. It allows them to make two unarmed strikes as a bonus action after taking the Attack action on their turn. But how exactly does it work? Let’s dive in and explore the details.

Understanding Flurry

Flurry of Blows is a bonus action, which means it can only be taken after the Attack action has been completed. This means that monks can’t flurry on their first turn of combat, as they’ll need to take the Attack action to set up the flurry. Additionally, if a monk uses their action to perform a martial art, such as the Tiger Claw technique, they’ll need to use their bonus action for the flurry, not their action.

Flurry and Extra Attack

Flurry of Blows can be a powerful combination with the Extra Attack feature, which allows certain classes and subclasses to make an additional attack as part of their attack action. While Extra Attack allows for an additional attack, Flurry of Blows allows for two additional attacks. So, what happens if a monk uses both Extra Attack and Flurry of Blows?

According to the official 5th Edition rules, if a monk uses Extra Attack and Flurry of Blows on the same turn, the flurry is treated as the second attack from Extra Attack. This means that the monk can make a single attack, and then as a bonus action, they can make two additional unarmed strikes. This is an incredibly powerful combination, as it allows the monk to deal multiple attacks on the same turn.

Does Flurry Stack with Unarmed Strike?

Now, what happens if a monk uses their action to take an unarmed strike from their Martial Arts feature, and then uses their bonus action to flurry? Do the unarmed strikes from Martial Arts count towards the flurry?

According to the official rules, no, the unarmed strikes from Martial Arts do not count towards the flurry. If a monk takes an unarmed strike from their Martial Arts feature, and then uses their bonus action to flurry, they will still make two additional attacks as part of the flurry. This means that a monk can take advantage of both the unarmed strike and the flurry on the same turn, making them a formidable opponent in combat.

How Many Times Can a Monk Attack in a Turn?

So, how many times can a monk attack in a turn? It depends on whether they use their action or bonus action to attack.

If a monk uses their action to attack, they can make one attack, and then use their bonus action to flurry and make two additional attacks. If they use their bonus action to attack, they can make two attacks, and then use their action to flurry and make two additional attacks. This means that a monk can potentially make up to four attacks in a single turn, including the two attacks from their flurry.

Grapple and Shove with Flurry

Now, what happens if a monk wants to use their flurry to grapple or shove their opponent? Can they still use their flurry in these situations?

According to the official rules, no, a monk cannot use their flurry to grapple or shove. Grappling and shoving are specific types of attacks that are not included in the monk’s flurry. If a monk wants to grapple or shove their opponent, they’ll need to use their action or bonus action specifically for these attacks.

Psychic Blades and Flurry

Finally, what happens if a monk uses their Psychic Blades feature, which allows them to create multiple psychic blades, and then uses their flurry? Can they use their psychic blades as part of their flurry?

According to the official rules, yes, a monk can use their psychic blades as part of their flurry. This means that a monk can create multiple psychic blades and then use their bonus action to make two attacks with each of the blades, for a total of four attacks in a single turn.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Flurry of Blows is a powerful feature available to monks in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. By understanding how it works, including its relationship with Extra Attack, Unarmed Strike, and other features, monks can optimize their combat strategy and become formidable opponents on the battlefield.

Table: Monk Flurry Options

By mastering their flurry, monks can unleash a flurry of attacks on their opponents, dealing massive amounts of damage and dominating the battlefield.