Is Flurry of Blows an Attack? Unraveling the Monk’s Core Ability
The short answer is yes, Flurry of Blows involves attacks, but it’s crucial to understand the nuances of how this iconic monk ability functions within the Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition (5e) ruleset. Flurry of Blows itself is not an Attack action, but rather a special ability that allows you to make additional unarmed strikes as part of a Bonus Action. These additional strikes are indeed attacks, each requiring its own attack roll. This distinction is key to understanding how Flurry of Blows interacts with other game mechanics. Let’s delve into the specifics to clarify any confusion.
Understanding the Mechanics
Flurry of Blows is a core feature of the Monk class, typically unlocked at 2nd level. It’s tied to the Monk’s Ki resource and allows them to unleash a burst of rapid strikes. The key elements are:
- Ki Point Cost: Using Flurry of Blows requires the expenditure of 1 Ki point.
- Bonus Action: This action is performed as a bonus action on your turn, meaning it must be used after you’ve taken the Attack action.
- Unarmed Strikes: Flurry of Blows enables you to make two additional unarmed strikes.
- Individual Attacks: Each unarmed strike from Flurry of Blows is a separate attack. Therefore, you must roll an attack roll for each.
The core functionality is this: you take the Attack action, which may involve making one or more standard weapon attacks. Then, by spending 1 Ki point, you use your bonus action to activate Flurry of Blows, resulting in two additional unarmed attacks.
Flurry of Blows vs. Standard Attack Action
It’s important to understand the relationship between the Attack action and Flurry of Blows. The Attack action is the foundation of making weapon or unarmed strikes. This is a standard action that allows you to make one or more attacks, depending on your level, class, or features. Flurry of Blows is not a standard attack action. It is a separate bonus action that allows you to make additional attacks. You must take the Attack action before activating Flurry of Blows.
This means that on your turn, you could:
- Use your Attack action to attack with a weapon.
- Use your Bonus Action and spend 1 Ki point to use Flurry of Blows and deliver two unarmed strikes.
The combination of an Attack action and Flurry of Blows lets a Monk deliver a rapid succession of attacks, demonstrating their martial prowess.
The “Attack” Distinction
Even though Flurry of Blows isn’t an Attack action itself, the unarmed strikes are individual attacks. This means that each strike must follow the normal rules for making attacks:
- Attack Roll: You must roll a d20, add your relevant modifier, and compare it to the target’s Armor Class (AC) for each strike.
- Damage Roll: If an attack hits, you roll damage appropriate for your unarmed strike.
This clarifies that Flurry of Blows is about generating additional attacks, each subject to hit or miss results.
Flurry of Blows and Other Class Features
Understanding that Flurry of Blows adds attacks, not actions, helps to explain how it interacts with other abilities. For example, Extra Attack, which some Monks get at level 5, grants extra attacks when you use your Attack action. This extra attack is made as part of the attack action itself, but flurry of blows is a bonus action that allows you to make additional unarmed attacks. Therefore, while Extra Attack will allow you to make two attacks with the action, the bonus action from flurry of blows will grant 2 additional attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does Flurry of Blows Allow Me to Attack Multiple Targets?
Yes, you can attack multiple targets with Flurry of Blows. In 5e, each attack can target a different enemy. This is one of the most versatile features of Flurry of Blows.
2. Can I Use a Weapon with Flurry of Blows?
By default, Flurry of Blows uses unarmed strikes, but Monks can use a melee monk weapon if they have the Monastic Weaponry class feat.
3. Can I Substitute a Trip or Shove with Flurry of Blows?
Yes. Monks may substitute disarm, sunder, or trip combat maneuvers for unarmed attacks during Flurry of Blows. This is outlined in the core rulebook.
4. Does Flurry of Blows Count for Agile Parry?
No, the bonus action attack(s) from Flurry of Blows do not count for Agile Parry. You need to make an unarmed strike as part of the Attack action for it to trigger.
5. Does Extra Attack and Flurry of Blows Stack?
Yes, they stack. A 5th-level Monk can make 4 attacks in one round by using the Attack action twice and then using Flurry of Blows (with Ki points). The attack action grants 2 attacks if you have Extra attack, and the bonus action of flurry of blows grants 2 more.
6. Is Flurry of Blows worth it?
Yes, Flurry of Blows is a highly valuable ability, especially when you have advantage on your attacks, increasing your chances to hit and critically strike.
7. Does Flurry of Blows work with Two-Weapon Fighting?
Flurry of Blows modifies your full attack, allowing you to use any weapon you have for each attack. This means you could use one weapon for an attack action and unarmed strikes for flurry of blows.
8. Do I Have to Roll Twice for Flurry of Blows?
Yes, each strike from Flurry of Blows requires an individual attack roll, as they are separate attacks.
9. How Many Times Can I Use Flurry of Blows?
You can use Flurry of Blows as long as you have sufficient Ki points. Each use costs 1 Ki point.
10. Can I Use Flurry of Blows if I Miss an Attack?
Yes. Even if you miss during your Attack action, you can still use Flurry of Blows as a bonus action. The ability only requires you to take the attack action, not necessarily hit.
11. Can I Use Flurry of Blows Before Attacking?
No, Flurry of Blows must occur after you’ve used the Attack action.
12. Can I Move and then Use Flurry of Blows?
Yes, movement isn’t constrained by flurry of blows. You can break up your attack action and the flurry of blows with movement.
13. Can I Rage and Use Flurry of Blows?
If you are a Monk/Barbarian multiclass, you can rage and still use Flurry of Blows, though there are restrictions on spells while raging, which is not relevant to flurry of blows. Some paths might even grant advantages when combining rage with flurry of blows, such as advantage on all attacks.
14. Can I Use Hands of Harm with Flurry of Blows?
Yes, when you use Flurry of Blows, you can now replace each of the unarmed strikes with a use of your Hands of Healing, without spending ki points for the healing. In addition, when you make an unarmed strike with Flurry of Blows, you can use Hand of Harm with that strike without spending the ki point for Hands of Harm.
15. How Many Additional Attacks Does Flurry of Blows Grant?
Flurry of Blows gives you two additional unarmed strikes per use as a bonus action.
Conclusion
In summary, Flurry of Blows is not an Attack action, but it allows you to make additional unarmed attacks using your bonus action. Understanding this distinction is vital for any Monk player. Flurry of Blows adds extra punch to your turns by giving extra attacks, and is a central ability that helps a Monk dish out consistent damage. By mastering its mechanics and strategic usage, you can unlock the full potential of this powerful martial arts technique.