Can You Unleash Double the Destruction? Fireball and Action Surge in D&D 5e
Yes, you absolutely can cast Fireball twice in a single turn using Action Surge in D&D 5th Edition. This powerful combination allows a character, typically a Fighter with the Eldritch Knight subclass or a multiclass build, to unleash devastating magical attacks in rapid succession. This ability stems from the core rules of spellcasting and the specific mechanics of the Action Surge feature. Let’s break down how this works and explore the nuances involved.
How Double Fireball Works
The key to casting two Fireballs in a single turn lies in understanding the limitations placed on spellcasting and how Action Surge sidesteps some of those restrictions. In D&D 5e, the general rule is that if you cast a spell as a bonus action, the only other spells you can cast that turn are cantrips with a casting time of one action. This rule is designed to prevent characters from casting multiple high-level spells too easily.
However, Action Surge, a feature typically found in the Fighter class, allows you to take one additional action on your turn. This additional action is not a bonus action, and therefore, does not trigger the bonus action spellcasting restriction. So, you can use your regular action to cast Fireball and then use your Action Surge action to cast another Fireball. No rule prevents a character from casting two leveled spells with a combination of their standard action and action surge as long as they have the available spell slots.
Key Mechanics Explained
- Action: Your standard action each turn is what you use for most activities, including casting a spell.
- Action Surge: This Fighter feature grants you an additional action on your turn. Crucially, it does not count as a bonus action or affect bonus action spellcasting.
- Spellcasting Restrictions: The rule prohibiting multiple leveled spells only applies when a spell is cast as a bonus action. Because Action Surge provides an additional action, it bypasses this limitation.
- Spell Slots: Of course, casting Fireball requires a 3rd-level spell slot each time. You must have the necessary spell slots available to cast two Fireballs.
Strategies for Double Fireball
While any character with both Action Surge and spellcasting can pull off this maneuver, it is usually most effective for characters who are either dedicated to the Fighter class with the Eldritch Knight subclass, or those who have taken a few levels in fighter to gain access to action surge, then multiclassed as a spellcasting class such as wizard or sorcerer.
Eldritch Knight Fighters
The Eldritch Knight is a Fighter subclass that gains spellcasting abilities. This makes them an ideal class for this maneuver. They get access to Action Surge and a decent pool of spell slots, making it easier for them to combine martial prowess with powerful magical attacks. At higher levels, they get more spell slots and higher level spells allowing them to cast multiple high level spells using their normal action and Action Surge.
Multiclassing
A powerful way to combine high level spells with Action Surge is by multiclassing. Starting with 2 levels of fighter can grant Action Surge, while the remaining levels can be spent in the Wizard, Sorcerer, or other spellcasting class. This combines the power of Action Surge with a higher maximum spell level.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about using Fireball with Action Surge, and other related spellcasting rules, to further clarify the mechanics and limitations:
1. Can a Sorcerer use Action Surge to cast two Fireballs?
No. A Sorcerer does not have access to the Action Surge ability. Only the Fighter class has access to Action Surge. A Sorcerer can however, cast two spells with Quickened Spell, but must be a cantrip and a levelled spell.
2. Does Action Surge give you an extra bonus action?
No, Action Surge does not give you an extra bonus action. It provides an additional action, which can be used to attack, cast a spell, dash, or perform other action-based activities.
3. If I cast a spell as a bonus action, can I use my regular action and action surge to cast more spells?
No. If you cast any spell, even a cantrip, as a bonus action, the only other spells you can cast on that turn are cantrips with a casting time of 1 action. Action Surge does not remove the bonus action casting limitation.
4. Can you cast two leveled spells without using Action Surge?
No. Unless you are using Twinned Spell, the only way to cast two leveled spells in one turn is with Action Surge, and only if a bonus action spell is not used.
5. Can I cast Fireball and then Counterspell in the same turn?
Yes, you can. Casting Fireball is your action, and Counterspell is a reaction that you can use in response to another creature casting a spell. You can use both within the same turn.
6. Can I twin cast fireball?
No. Twinned Spell Metamagic only works on spells that target only one creature and don’t have a range of self. Fireball is an area of effect spell, so it cannot be twinned.
7. Can you cast Eldritch Blast twice with Action Surge?
Yes, you can. You can use your regular action to cast Eldritch Blast (assuming it is of a level that would grant multiple bolts) and then use Action Surge to cast it again.
8. Can you use Dread Ambusher twice with Action Surge?
Yes, if you use the Attack Action for both your main action and your Action Surge action, you will trigger Dread Ambusher twice, allowing you to make an extra attack with each action.
9. How many times can I use Action Surge?
At the beginning levels, Action Surge can only be used once per short or long rest. However, at level 17, Fighters gain the ability to use it twice per rest, but still only once per turn.
10. What is the restriction on casting two spells in the same turn?
The primary restriction is that if you cast a spell as a bonus action, the only other spells you can cast that turn are cantrips with a casting time of 1 action. Action Surge bypasses this restriction, but if a bonus action spell is used in a turn, other spells cast on that turn MUST be cantrips.
11. Can you quicken fireball to cast two leveled spells?
No. Quickened Spell changes the casting time of a spell to a bonus action, invoking the restriction. So you could cast a bonus action Fireball with a quickened spell, but the only spell you could cast with your action would be a cantrip.
12. Does the level of spell matter when using Action Surge to cast two spells?
No, the only restriction that would apply is the bonus action spell rule. The spell level does not matter when determining whether or not you can cast it using action surge. The limitation on multiple high level spells is the amount of available spell slots.
13. Can an Eldritch Knight cast two spells in the same turn without Action Surge?
No. The Eldritch Knight’s main mechanic to cast two spells in the same turn comes from their War Magic feature, and only works by following a weapon attack with a cantrip. Without Action Surge, an Eldritch Knight cannot cast two full spells.
14. Are there any other classes that get a similar ability to Action Surge?
The Thief subclass of the Rogue gets the Fast Hands feature, but it does not allow for an additional action that can be used to cast a spell. The War Domain Cleric’s ability War Priest grants a bonus attack as a bonus action, but does not allow for an extra action.
15. If I multi-class into a fighter for access to action surge, how does this affect my spell casting progression?
Multiclassing into fighter does not grant access to the spellcasting progression of the fighter class. When a class is not your primary casting class, the spell slots from the secondary class, in this case fighter, are treated differently. Fighter spell slots are divided by 3 and then rounded down and the number added to the spell slots from your primary class.
Conclusion
The ability to cast two Fireballs in a single turn using Action Surge is a potent combination that can be strategically useful in combat. By understanding the rules regarding spellcasting and Action Surge, you can maximize your character’s potential and dominate the battlefield with magical might. Always remember to manage your spell slots, plan ahead, and unleash double the destruction!