Can You Cast Hex as a Bonus Action?
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The short answer is no, you cannot cast the Hex spell as a bonus action in its initial casting. Hex, a staple spell for Warlocks in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e), requires a standard action to cast. However, the spell has an important caveat that often causes confusion: you can reapply the Hex curse to a new target as a bonus action after the original target dies. This crucial distinction is often missed, leading to misconceptions about the spell’s mechanics. Let’s delve into the nuances of how Hex interacts with bonus actions and other game mechanics.
Understanding the Hex Spell
Initial Casting of Hex
The Hex spell is cast as an action. This means that when you first cast Hex, it consumes your primary action for the turn. The spell targets a creature you can see within range, and it inflicts extra necrotic damage on your attacks against that creature, and it gives the target disadvantage on a chosen ability check. The core mechanics of this spell are not tied to bonus actions at this initial stage.
Moving the Hex Curse
The core of the confusion lies in the reapplication of Hex. Once the creature you’ve initially cursed with Hex dies, the spell doesn’t end. Instead, it allows you to transfer the curse to another target. Here’s the key point: moving the curse to a new target is done as a bonus action. You can use your bonus action on your next turn to reapply Hex to a creature that you can see, provided the duration of the spell has not ended. This is not the same as casting the spell initially; it’s the transfer of an ongoing magical effect.
Bonus Actions vs. Actions
It’s critical to remember the distinction between actions and bonus actions in 5e. An action is your primary activity for the turn and includes casting spells with a casting time of one action, making attacks with a weapon, or taking an action like dashing, dodging or disengaging. A bonus action is a supplemental action, limited by the phrase, “only when a special ability, spell, or other feature of the game states that you can do something as a bonus action.” You only get one bonus action each turn. You cannot use your action to perform another bonus action, and vice versa.
Common Misconceptions
Many players mistakenly believe that because Hex can be moved with a bonus action, it can be initially cast as a bonus action. This is not correct. It is crucial to understand that the ability to move the spell is a specific function described by the spell text, not a rule change that allows the initial casting to become a bonus action.
Another misconception arises from features and feats that modify casting. For example, a sorcerer might use Metamagic – Quickened Spell to cast a spell with a casting time of an action as a bonus action. However, it is important to understand the specific wording on each feature or feat that allows you to change the casting time of a spell. Neither Quickened Spell, nor any other such feature or feat, is applied to the reapplication of Hex as a bonus action. It is a separate function of the spell.
FAQs About Hex and Bonus Actions
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions that provide further clarity on the mechanics of Hex and its interaction with bonus actions:
1. Can you use Hex and another bonus action on the same turn?
Yes, provided that the other bonus action isn’t something that conflicts with the spell. For example, you can move the hex as a bonus action and then also use a bonus action to command an undead creature, since they are separate features. However, you could not use the “move” bonus action of Hex and also then cast another spell with a bonus action casting time. You only get one bonus action per turn.
2. Does moving the Hex curse count as casting a spell?
No. Moving the curse is a special ability of the spell, not the act of re-casting. You do not use up a spell slot to move the curse and you do not need to follow the other rules of casting a spell with this effect.
3. Can you cast a cantrip as a bonus action if you moved the curse as a bonus action?
Yes. The rule about only casting a cantrip when you cast a spell as a bonus action only applies to spells that are cast as a bonus action. Moving the curse is not casting a spell. As long as you are not casting a spell with a bonus action, you can use a regular action to cast a cantrip as usual.
4. Can you use the Relentless Hex feature and move the Hex curse as a bonus action?
Yes. If you are a Warlock with the Relentless Hex invocation, you can use this bonus action to teleport to a space near your cursed target and also use your bonus action to move the curse if the target dies. These are two distinct bonus actions triggered by different conditions. However, you can only do each once per turn.
5. Does the Hex damage bonus apply to Eldritch Blast?
Yes, the extra necrotic damage from Hex applies to Eldritch Blast, as it is a spell attack roll. The spell description only states that it applies to “any time you hit the target with an attack.”
6. Can Hex be used on saving throws?
No. The spell specifically affects “ability checks,” not saving throws or attack rolls. This can be a useful tool for enhancing skills such as grappling or shoving, which rely on strength ability checks.
7. If the Hex target is revived, can you move the curse as a bonus action again?
No. The Hex spell does not reset. You only get a bonus action to move the curse on your next turn after the targeted creature dies, once. After that bonus action is spent, the spell continues on its target as normal and may only be moved when this target dies.
8. Can I cast another spell with a bonus action and also move the Hex curse as a bonus action?
No. You can only take one bonus action per turn, regardless of how many abilities or spells provide you with bonus actions. You would have to choose either to move *Hex* or cast another bonus action spell, and then you would perform your regular action as normal.
9. Can I use Hex to create sneak attack damage?
No. Sneak attack damage is only applied to weapon attacks that use finesse or ranged weapons. Even if your attack benefits from *Hex*, it is not a weapon attack, and therefore you would not also apply sneak attack damage.
10. Does Hex affect multiple targets simultaneously?
No. *Hex* only applies to one target at a time. You can move the curse to another target as a bonus action once the first one dies, but only one target can be affected at a time.
11. Can I use quickened spell to cast Hex as a bonus action?
Yes. The **Metamagic – Quickened Spell** feat allows a sorcerer to cast a spell that has a casting time of one action as a bonus action by spending sorcery points. However, the initial cast of *Hex* still requires an action, and not all characters can use quickened spell.
12. Does moving the Hex curse end the spell?
No. Moving the Hex curse to a new target does not end the spell. The spell ends when the duration is over, you lose concentration, or you end it as an action.
13. How long does Hex last?
The base duration of Hex is one hour. Casting it at higher levels extends this duration. If you lose concentration, the spell immediately ends and cannot be moved to a new target.
14. Does Hex require concentration?
Yes. As with many powerful spells, *Hex* requires concentration. You can only concentrate on one spell at a time, and if you take damage, you will need to make a constitution saving throw to maintain concentration.
15. If a creature has an ability that says they can ignore curses, do they ignore the damage increase from Hex?
Yes. A feature that states that a creature ignores curses would bypass the negative effects of Hex, which includes the extra damage and the disadvantage on ability checks.
Conclusion
Hex is a powerful and versatile spell for Warlocks, but understanding its mechanics is crucial to use it effectively. Remember that while you cannot initially cast Hex as a bonus action, you can move the curse to a new target as a bonus action after the initial target has died. Proper timing and strategic use of your actions and bonus actions can greatly enhance your combat prowess when utilizing this spell. By taking into consideration the rules and the FAQs, you can correctly apply the spell to your character in a variety of situations.