Dashing Through Dungeons: Combining Dash and Expeditious Retreat in D&D 5E
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Yes, you absolutely can dash and use Expeditious Retreat in the same turn in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition. This is because the Dash action and the Expeditious Retreat spell interact in a specific way, allowing for greatly increased movement. The core of this combination lies in Expeditious Retreat allowing you to use your bonus action to take the Dash action. Since your regular action can also be used to Dash, you essentially get two Dash actions in one turn, letting you move three times your speed.
Understanding the Mechanics
To fully grasp how this works, let’s break down the relevant rules:
- Dash Action: The Dash action grants you extra movement equal to your speed for the current turn. If your speed is 30 feet, you can move up to 60 feet if you dash.
- Expeditious Retreat: This 1st-level transmutation spell allows you to use your bonus action on each of your turns to take the Dash action. Crucially, casting the spell itself requires a bonus action, so you can even Dash on the turn you cast it.
- Actions and Bonus Actions: In a standard turn, you have one action and one bonus action (unless specified by class features or feats).
The key is that Expeditious Retreat doesn’t replace your regular action; it adds the ability to use your bonus action for another Dash. This synergy allows for incredible bursts of movement across the battlefield or during exploration.
Example Scenario
Imagine a Rogue with a base speed of 30 feet. On their turn, they cast Expeditious Retreat as a bonus action. Then, they use their action to take the Dash action. And, thanks to Expeditious Retreat, they can use their bonus action granted by the spell to Dash again. Therefore they can move 90 feet total. This is calculated as: base speed (30 feet) + Dash from action (30 feet) + Dash from Expeditious Retreat (30 feet).
Character Builds That Benefit
Certain classes and builds benefit immensely from this combination:
- Rogues: Rogues gain access to Cunning Action, which allows them to Dash, Disengage, or Hide as a bonus action. Combining this with Expeditious Retreat can enable them to move incredible distances, flank enemies, or escape dangerous situations with ease.
- Monks: Monks can use Step of the Wind to Dash as a bonus action by spending 1 ki point. Like Rogues, they can combine this with Expeditious Retreat for even more movement.
- Bladesingers (Wizards): As mentioned in some analyses, Bladesingers sometimes struggle with bonus action economy. Expeditious Retreat gives them a valuable option to increase their mobility, especially if they don’t need to use their bonus action for other spells or abilities.
- Characters with the Mobile Feat: The Mobile feat increases your speed by 10 feet and allows you to move more freely around enemies. Pairing this with Expeditious Retreat further enhances your movement capabilities.
Limitations and Considerations
While the combination is powerful, there are limitations:
- Concentration: Expeditious Retreat requires concentration, so taking damage can break the spell.
- Bonus Action Conflict: If your character has other important uses for their bonus action, Expeditious Retreat may not always be the optimal choice.
- Terrain: Difficult terrain will still slow you down, even with the increased movement speed.
- Duration: Expeditious Retreat only lasts for 1 minute (10 rounds), so it’s best used in situations where you need a burst of speed for a short period.
Strategic Implications
This synergy opens up numerous strategic possibilities:
- Kiting Enemies: Stay out of melee range while still dealing damage.
- Reaching Objectives Quickly: Retrieve an item, activate a device, or rescue an ally.
- Escaping Danger: Quickly retreat from a losing battle or avoid an environmental hazard.
- Flanking Maneuvers: Gain combat advantages by positioning yourself strategically.
- Scouting Ahead: Cover ground quickly to gather information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the interaction between Dash and Expeditious Retreat:
1. What exactly does the Dash action do?
The Dash action grants you extra movement for the current turn. The increase equals your speed, after applying any modifiers.
2. How does Expeditious Retreat work?
Expeditious Retreat is a 1st-level spell with a casting time of 1 bonus action. While the spell is active (up to 1 minute, concentration required), you can use your bonus action on each of your turns to take the Dash action.
3. Can I cast Expeditious Retreat and Dash on the same turn?
Yes! Since the spell’s casting time is a bonus action, you can cast it and then use your action to Dash on the same turn.
4. Can a Rogue Dash as a bonus action and an action?
Yes. Rogues have the Cunning Action feature, allowing them to Dash as a bonus action. This stacks with their ability to Dash as an action, so they can Dash twice in a single turn without Expeditious Retreat.
5. Does Expeditious Retreat stack with Haste?
No. These effects don’t stack. Haste doubles your speed and Expeditious Retreat allows you to use bonus action to Dash. Haste also grants an additional action that can be used to attack, dash, disengage, hide, or use an object.
6. Can I Dash twice with Action Surge?
Yes. Fighters with Action Surge can take an additional action on their turn, which can be used to Dash. Combined with a regular Dash, they can move twice their speed.
7. Is Expeditious Retreat a good spell?
It depends on the character and the situation. It can be very useful for characters who need to move quickly and don’t have many other uses for their bonus action. However, the need for concentration and the availability of other powerful 1st-level spells make it situational.
8. What are the limitations to Expeditious Retreat?
The main limitations are that it requires concentration, occupies your bonus action, and only lasts for 1 minute.
9. Can a Monk Dash and use Step of the Wind?
Yes. Monks can spend 1 ki point to use Step of the Wind and Dash or Disengage as a bonus action, which can stack with a normal Dash action.
10. Can I Dash in stealth?
Yes. You can use the Dash action while trying to be stealthy. However, the increased speed might make it harder to remain hidden, so the DM may require a higher Stealth check.
11. Can I hold an action to Dash?
Technically, you can’t hold the Dash action itself. However, you can ready your movement, moving up to your speed in response to a trigger. This effectively achieves a similar result.
12. How long can I Dash for?
You can Dash for as long as you have the actions or bonus actions available to do so and as long as spells like Expeditious Retreat maintain concentration.
13. Can I double Dash as a Rogue?
Yes, a Rogue can absolutely double Dash. By combining their Action and their Cunning Action bonus action, a Rogue can move triple their movement speed by using their action to dash, their cunning action to dash and using the available movement granted during the turn.
14. Can you take the dash action while flying 5e?
Yes! The effect of Dash is not limited to your walking speed. If you have a flying speed, you can move up to double your flying speed when you Dash.
15. Where can I learn more about game based learning?
You can learn more about innovative approaches in game based learning at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The Games Learning Society is a great resource!
Conclusion
Combining the Dash action with Expeditious Retreat is a potent tactic that can significantly enhance your character’s mobility in D&D 5E. Understanding the rules and limitations of this combination will allow you to make strategic decisions that can turn the tide of battle or enable you to overcome challenging obstacles. Consider this synergy when building your character and planning your strategies, and you’ll be dashing through dungeons and across battlefields with unmatched speed and agility.