What does extra attack do?

What Does Extra Attack Do?

When you take the Attack action on your turn in a D&D 5e combat, you can use your Extra Attack feature to deal even more damage to your enemies. But how exactly does it work?

Definition of Extra Attack

In D&D 5e, Extra Attack is a feature that allows a Fighter to make an additional attack when they take the Attack action on their turn. This feature becomes available to Fighters at level 5 and increases to a total of three attacks at level 11, and four attacks at level 20.

Limitations of Extra Attack

Here are some important limitations to keep in mind:

• Extra Attack does not grant additional attacks outside of combat: You can’t use Extra Attack in social interactions, exploration, or outside of combat. It only applies to combat scenarios.

• You must use the Attack action: Extra Attack only works if you take the Attack action on your turn. Other actions, such as the Bonus Action or Reactions, do not qualify for Extra Attack.

Combining Extra Attack with Other Features

Here are some combinations to consider:

• Dual Wielding and Extra Attack: If you dual wield, you’ll attack once with one hand on your Attack Action and then attack once more with the other hand using Extra Attack.

• Extra Attack and Haste: With Haste, you get an additional attack. So, if you combine Extra Attack with Haste, you’ll have four attacks in total!

Casting Spells vs. Making Attacks

It’s important to note that Casting a Spell and Making an Attack are two different actions:

• Casting a Spell: Uses the Cast a Spell action.

• Making an Attack: Uses the Attack action.

Cantrips and Extra Attack

Some classes, like Wizards and Warlocks, can use Cantrips ( spells with no material component that don’t require spellcasting modifier). However, Casting a Cantrip requires using the Cast a Spell action, not the Attack action. Therefore, you cannot use Extra Attack to make Cantrips.

Extra Attack and Opportunity Attacks

Opportunity Attacks ( attacks made in response to a creature moving or provoking an attack of opportunity) are a separate topic from Extra Attack:

• Opportunity Attacks and Extra Attack: If a creature makes an opportunity attack against you, and then uses Extra Attack to attack you again, they only get to make the single extra attack.

Key Takeaways

In summary, Extra Attack allows you to make an additional attack when you take the Attack action on your turn, subject to certain limitations. Here are the key points:

By understanding Extra Attack, you can optimize your combat strategy and deal more damage to your enemies!