Can You Have More Than One Bonus Action? Exploring the Rules of D&D
The short, direct answer is: No, you cannot have more than one bonus action per turn in D&D 5e. Regardless of the number of feats, class features, or special abilities that grant you a bonus action, you are strictly limited to using only one bonus action on your turn. This is a fundamental rule of the game designed to maintain balance and prevent characters from taking an overwhelming number of actions. Let’s delve deeper into the specifics of bonus actions, how they function, and address some common misconceptions.
Understanding Bonus Actions
What is a Bonus Action?
A bonus action is a type of action distinct from your standard action and movement. Various class features, spells, and other abilities allow you to take a bonus action on your turn. Crucially, you don’t automatically have a bonus action to use. It only becomes available when you have a specific feature or ability that permits it. For example, the Rogue’s Cunning Action or spells like Healing Word and Misty Step all require a bonus action.
The One Bonus Action Limit
The core rule to remember is that you can only use one bonus action per turn. This limitation is consistent across all character classes and abilities. Even if you possess multiple features or spells that could potentially be used as a bonus action, you must choose only one. This rule ensures that no character can circumvent the action economy and gain an excessive advantage by stacking bonus actions.
Bonus Actions vs. Actions
It’s critical to understand that bonus actions are not interchangeable with actions. You cannot use a bonus action as a regular action, and vice-versa. They are distinct types of actions with their own specific uses. For example, a Bard cannot use a bonus action to grant a Bardic Inspiration die and then an action to cast Healing Word, because Healing Word is a bonus action spell.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Let’s address some common questions related to bonus actions to provide further clarity:
1. Can I use two bonus action spells in one turn?
No. If you cast a spell using your bonus action, you can only cast a cantrip with your action. You cannot cast a leveled spell as your action if you’ve already cast a spell with your bonus action. Similarly, if you cast a leveled spell as your action, you cannot cast a bonus action spell.
2. Does Action Surge grant me a second bonus action?
No. The Fighter’s Action Surge feature allows you to take an additional action on your turn but does not grant you a second bonus action.
3. Can I turn a bonus action into an action, or vice versa?
No. Bonus actions and actions are not interchangeable. A bonus action must remain a bonus action and an action must remain an action. You cannot convert one into the other.
4. Do I get a bonus action every round?
Yes, but only if you have a feature or ability that allows it. Every character has the potential to use a bonus action if they have something that grants one, provided they have not used their bonus action this turn. Without such features or spells, you don’t have a bonus action to use.
5. Can I use a bonus action to Dash?
Yes. Certain class features, like the Rogue’s Cunning Action, allow you to take the Dash action as a bonus action. The Dash action is a movement action, not an action of another kind.
6. Can I use a cantrip as a bonus action?
Generally, no. Cantrips usually require an action to cast. However, there are specific exceptions. For example, a Sorcerer can use Metamagic (Quickened Spell) to cast a cantrip as a bonus action.
7. Can I use both a bonus action and a reaction?
Yes, but not concurrently. A reaction is an instant response to a trigger and can occur on your turn or on someone else’s. While you cannot take an action as an instant response, and you can only take a bonus action when you can take an action, you can utilize a reaction on your turn.
8. What qualifies as a bonus action?
A bonus action is defined as any action taken when a specific class feature, spell, or ability states that you can do something as a bonus action. Without such a feature or ability, you do not have a bonus action available to use.
9. Can I cast two cantrips in one turn?
Yes, but only in specific situations. You can cast multiple cantrips only if you have multiple actions. Usually, you can cast a cantrip as your action. If you cast a spell with a bonus action, you can still cast a cantrip with your action.
10. Can I cast a spell as both an action and a bonus action on the same turn?
Yes, but with restrictions. If you use a bonus action to cast a spell, you can only use your action to cast a cantrip, regardless of the levels of both spells.
11. Can you counterspell a counterspell?
Yes. You can absolutely use a counterspell against another counterspell.
12. Can a Barbarian rage and frenzy on the same turn?
Yes. A Barbarian can use their action to Attack, gaining multiple attacks from their Extra Attack class feature, and then use a bonus action to Frenzy, granting an additional attack.
13. Can a Monk use Flurry of Blows twice in a turn?
No. Flurry of Blows is a bonus action, and you are limited to one bonus action per turn. Extra Attack does not grant extra actions.
14. Can I Dash twice with Action Surge?
Yes. A Fighter with Action Surge could use their action to Dash, use Action Surge to take another action and Dash again. This results in two movements for the turn.
15. Does casting a spell as a bonus action use up a spell slot?
Yes. Spells cast with a bonus action still use spell slots, just like spells cast using a regular action.
Conclusion
In summary, while many features in D&D grant you access to powerful bonus actions, remember that you can only use one per turn. The rules are clear and designed to prevent overpowered combinations. Understanding how bonus actions interact with other actions, spells, and abilities is crucial for strategic gameplay. By carefully considering your available bonus actions, you can optimize your character’s effectiveness in any combat encounter.