Can I Attack Twice with Flame Blade? A Deep Dive into D&D Combat Mechanics
The short, definitive answer is no. You cannot attack twice with Flame Blade in a single turn using the standard rules. The Flame Blade spell requires an action to make a single melee spell attack with the fiery blade. This action takes up your entire attack action, preventing you from making another attack unless you have a specific ability or feature that explicitly states otherwise. Let’s explore this concept in detail and address some common misconceptions and related scenarios.
Understanding the Flame Blade Spell
Flame Blade is a conjuration spell that creates a blade of pure flame in your hand. It’s primarily a Druid spell, and it’s often misunderstood. Here’s a breakdown:
- Casting Time: 1 Bonus Action
- Action: To attack with the flame blade, you use an action.
- Attack Type: Melee Spell Attack
- Damage: 3d6 Fire Damage
- Properties: Light, counts as a simple melee weapon with which you are proficient
The crucial point is that attacking with the Flame Blade requires an action. This means that unless you have a feature like the Fighter’s Action Surge, which grants you an additional action, or a Bladesinger Wizard’s extra attack that allows one of the attacks to be a cantrip, you’re limited to one attack with the Flame Blade per turn.
Examining the Extra Attack Feature
Many classes gain the Extra Attack feature at level 5 (e.g., Fighters, Rangers, Paladins, Barbarians). This feature allows you to attack twice when you take the Attack action on your turn, instead of once. However, this only applies when you are using the Attack action.
Flame Blade does not fall under the standard attack action. It’s a melee spell attack that is executed as part of the Cast a Spell action, which is a different kind of action. Therefore, the Extra Attack feature does not apply to Flame Blade.
Green-Flame Blade and Booming Blade: Cantrip Considerations
The rules surrounding Flame Blade can often be confused with those of the Green-Flame Blade and Booming Blade cantrips. These cantrips also involve making a melee weapon attack, but they operate differently.
These cantrips require you to take the Cast a Spell action, and part of that action is making a single melee weapon attack. Even if you have the Extra Attack feature, you only get one attack with Green-Flame Blade or Booming Blade because the spell casting itself occupies your action.
Dual Wielding and Flame Blade
Dual wielding involves attacking with a weapon in each hand. However, this mechanic doesn’t interact with the Flame Blade spell. With dual wielding, you attack once with one weapon on your turn and then, as a bonus action, attack with the other weapon. Since using Flame Blade requires an action, you would not be able to also make a bonus action attack.
FAQs: Flame Blade and Attack Mechanics
Let’s address some frequently asked questions to further clarify the rules surrounding Flame Blade and attack mechanics in D&D 5e.
1. Can I cast Flame Blade as a bonus action and then attack with it?
The Flame Blade spell itself has a casting time of 1 bonus action. This means you use your bonus action to conjure the blade. On a subsequent turn (or the same turn if you have a way to take another action) you would then use your action to attack with the Flame Blade.
2. Does Flame Blade count as a weapon for the purpose of feats or class features?
Yes, Flame Blade counts as a simple melee weapon with which you are proficient. This means it can potentially benefit from feats or class features that enhance weapon attacks, provided those features don’t require a specific type of weapon (e.g., a longsword).
3. Can I use Divine Smite with Flame Blade?
Yes, because Divine Smite allows you to use the smite whenever you hit a creature with a weapon attack. Flame Blade creates a weapon that you use to make a weapon attack, so Divine Smite can be used.
4. Can I use Sneak Attack with Flame Blade?
This is a tricky one. Sneak Attack requires the use of a finesse or ranged weapon. Flame Blade doesn’t inherently possess either property. Thus, a Rogue would not be able to use Sneak Attack with Flame Blade.
5. If I have multiple sources of Extra Attack, do they stack?
No. If you gain the Extra Attack feature from more than one class, the features don’t stack. You can’t make more than two attacks with this feature unless a specific class feature explicitly states otherwise (like the Fighter’s improved Extra Attack).
6. Can I attack multiple targets with the Extra Attack feature?
Yes, with the Extra Attack feature, you can direct your attacks at different targets. You aren’t forced to attack the same creature with both attacks.
7. Can I combine Flame Blade with Shillelagh?
Shillelagh only applies to clubs and quarterstaffs. Flame Blade does not work with Shillelagh.
8. Does Spell Sniper affect Flame Blade?
No. Spell Sniper extends the range of spells that require an attack roll, and that are at least 5 feet. However, it does not increase the reach of your melee attacks. Flame Blade does not use range, but melee attacks, so Spell Sniper will not work.
9. Why is Flame Blade considered by many to be a weak spell?
Flame Blade faces some criticism due to its damage output not scaling well at higher levels, and the spell requiring concentration which can be vulnerable. Since Extra Attack does not apply, it’s often more beneficial to use other spells or features that offer multiple attacks or higher damage potential.
10. Can I use Green-Flame Blade or Booming Blade as a bonus action?
No, both Green-Flame Blade and Booming Blade require an action to cast. There are some features that might allow a rogue to cast spells as a bonus action, like a Sorcerer with the Quickened Spell metamagic.
11. Can I use both Green-Flame Blade and Booming Blade in the same turn?
Technically, yes, if you have a way to cast one of them as a bonus action (e.g., through the Quickened Spell metamagic). However, this requires significant resource investment and might not be the most efficient use of your actions and resources.
12. Does Green-Flame Blade add weapon damage?
Green-Flame Blade adds weapon damage to the initial target, as well as fire damage to a secondary target.
13. Can I use Flame Blade for an opportunity attack?
No. Since Flame Blade must use an action to attack with the blade, it cannot be used for opportunity attacks.
14. Is dual wielding practical in D&D 5e?
Dual wielding can be viable, particularly at lower levels or with specific character builds (e.g., a Rogue relying on Sneak Attack). However, it often requires significant investment in feats and class features to maximize its effectiveness, and it can be less optimal than other combat styles for many characters.
15. If I lose concentration on Flame Blade, does the blade disappear immediately?
Yes, if you lose concentration on the Flame Blade spell, the fiery blade disappears instantly. You would need to use another bonus action to recast the spell and conjure the blade again.
Conclusion: Mastering Combat Actions
Understanding the intricacies of combat actions, bonus actions, and specific spell requirements is crucial for effective gameplay in D&D 5e. While Flame Blade offers a unique and flavorful option for Druids, it’s essential to recognize its limitations and how it interacts with other combat mechanics like Extra Attack. By understanding the rules, you can make informed decisions about your character’s actions and optimize your combat strategy.
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