When Can You Use a Bonus Action to Attack?
In Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition, the concept of bonus actions and attack actions can be a bit confusing, especially for new players. In this article, we’ll dive into the rules surrounding bonus actions and attack actions, providing a comprehensive guide on when you can use a bonus action to attack.
Direct Answer:
When can you use a bonus action to attack?
According to the official D&D 5th edition rules, you can use a bonus action to attack with a light melee weapon that you’re holding in one hand, provided you take the Attack action with a different light melee weapon held in your other hand. This rule only applies to light melee weapons, and you cannot add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus action attack.
When Can You Take a Bonus Action?
Before we dive into the specifics of using a bonus action to attack, let’s discuss when you can take a bonus action in the first place. A bonus action is a special kind of action that you can take during your turn, in addition to your main action. You can only take a bonus action if your class or a feat allows it.
Some classes, such as the Fighter, allow you to take a bonus action as part of their class features. Feats, on the other hand, are special abilities that you can choose to take at level 1 or level 2. Some feats allow you to take a bonus action, while others provide other benefits.
Light Melee Weapons and Bonus Actions
As mentioned earlier, you can use a bonus action to attack with a light melee weapon that you’re holding in one hand, provided you take the Attack action with a different light melee weapon held in your other hand. Light melee weapons are defined as weapons that are not heavy or one-handed, such as daggers, short swords, and shortbows.
Here’s a table summarizing the rules for light melee weapons and bonus actions:
| Light Melee Weapon | Can be used for Bonus Action Attack? |
|---|---|
| Yes (e.g. dagger, short sword, shortbow) | Yes, with a different light melee weapon in the other hand |
| No (e.g. long sword, greataxe) | No |
Adding Ability Modifiers
When using a bonus action to attack, you cannot add your ability modifier to the damage of the attack. This is a specific rule for bonus action attacks only, and does not apply to other types of attacks.
Examples and Scenarios
Let’s look at some examples to illustrate when you can use a bonus action to attack:
- Example 1: You’re a Fighter with the Extra Attack feature, and you’re wielding a short sword in your main hand. You take the Attack action with your short sword, and then use your bonus action to attack with a dagger in your off hand.
- Example 2: You’re a Rogue with the Sneak Attack feature, and you’re wielding a shortbow in your main hand. You take the Attack action with your shortbow, and then use your bonus action to attack with a dagger in your off hand.
- Example 3: You’re a Paladin with the Divine Smite feature, and you’re wielding a longsword in your main hand. You take the Attack action with your longsword, and then use your bonus action to cast a cantrip spell. In this case, you cannot use your bonus action to attack, since you’re not wielding a light melee weapon.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the rules surrounding bonus actions and attack actions can be complex, but by following the guidelines outlined in this article, you should be able to determine when you can use a bonus action to attack. Remember to check your class features, feats, and the type of weapon you’re wielding to ensure you’re eligible for a bonus action attack. Happy adventuring!