Can You Unleash a Storm of Steel? Mastering Multiple Attacks of Opportunity in 5e

The short answer is: Yes, but with limitations. You can make multiple Attacks of Opportunity in a round, but the key constraint is your reaction. You only get one reaction per round, meaning you can only make one Attack of Opportunity per turn. However, the game is designed to give you ways to work around this.

The Heart of the Matter: Reactions and Turns

Understanding Attacks of Opportunity requires a solid grasp of two core 5e mechanics: reactions and turns. Each character gets one reaction per round of combat. This reaction can be used to perform specific actions outside of your character’s regular turn, such as casting certain spells or, crucially, making an Attack of Opportunity.

The opportunity arises when a hostile creature you can see moves out of your reach. This triggers your instinct to punish their retreat, resulting in a swift melee attack. However, once you’ve used your reaction, it’s gone until the start of your next turn. This is the primary restriction on multiple Attacks of Opportunity.

Circumventing the Limit: Unleashing the Fury

While the single reaction rule seems strict, there are ways to appear to make more than one Attack of Opportunity in quick succession. Here’s how:

• Waiting for Your Next Turn: The most basic method is patience. If multiple creatures provoke Attacks of Opportunity on separate turns, you can use your reaction each turn to capitalize on these openings. The limitation of “one reaction per turn” means you won’t make them simultaneously, but across multiple turns in a round, you can capitalize on multiple opportunities.
• Allies to the Rescue: The most common scenario involves allies. Let’s say you are standing next to a creature, and it attempts to move away. If you take an attack of opportunity, then another ally attacks the same creature. If the target is forced to flee and moves out of another ally’s range on that ally’s turn, your ally can also take an attack of opportunity. Each attack is coming on a separate turn, so each ally can use their reaction.

Feats and Features: The Keys to Unlocking Potential

Some specific character builds can further manipulate this system, notably by using abilities that grant additional reactions or modify the conditions for Attacks of Opportunity:

• Sentinel Feat: This feat is a game-changer for controlling the battlefield. One of its benefits is that when you hit a creature with an Attack of Opportunity, that creature’s speed becomes 0 for the rest of the turn. This can shut down enemy movement and protect your allies. Critically, it doesn’t give you more attacks of opportunity; it simply makes the one you do take more impactful.
• War Caster Feat with Booming Blade or Green-Flame Blade: While the original text implies War Caster grants additional Attacks of Opportunity, it does not. War Caster allows you to cast a spell as your attack of opportunity.
• Other Class Features and Spells: Some classes or specific spells may allow effects that mimic or influence attacks of opportunity, so always read your character features carefully!

FAQs: Delving Deeper into Opportunity Attacks

Here are some frequently asked questions to clarify common misconceptions and edge cases regarding Attacks of Opportunity in 5e.

How many times can you use opportunity attack 5e?

You can use an Attack of Opportunity only once per turn, as it consumes your reaction. You regain your reaction at the start of your next turn.

How do you get multiple opportunity attacks in 5e?

You don’t get multiple Attacks of Opportunity on the same turn without external assistance. Allies acting on their own turns can create successive opportunities. Specific feats like Sentinel can make your single Attack of Opportunity more potent.

Do you only get one opportunity attack?

Yes, you only get one Attack of Opportunity per turn because it uses your reaction.

How many times can you use extra attack?

Extra Attack allows you to make multiple attacks when you take the Attack action on your turn. This is separate from Attacks of Opportunity, which happen outside of your turn.

Can you get extra attack twice?

The Extra Attack feature from different classes doesn’t stack unless a specific class feature (like the Fighter’s) states otherwise.

What are the rules for multi attack?

Multiattack is a monster ability, not a player character action. It allows a creature to make multiple attacks as part of its Attack action.

Does invisibility stop attacks of opportunity?

Yes, if a creature is truly invisible and you can’t see it, it doesn’t provoke Attacks of Opportunity when it moves out of your reach.

Can you make an opportunity attack with a thrown weapon?

No, you can only make Attacks of Opportunity with a melee weapon, an unarmed strike, or an improvised melee weapon. The exception is if you have the War Caster feat, which would allow you to cast a spell with a range of melee.

Can you uncanny dodge an attack of opportunity?

Yes, if you have the Uncanny Dodge feature, you can use it to reduce the damage you take from an Attack of Opportunity.

How do you not provoke opportunity attacks?

The most common way to avoid provoking an Attack of Opportunity is to use the Disengage action. Other methods include teleportation, becoming invisible, or forcing the enemy to be incapacitated.

Can I have multiple bonus actions in 5e?

No, you can only take one bonus action on your turn, regardless of how many features or abilities grant you bonus actions.

Do spells trigger opportunity attacks?

Casting a spell itself does not provoke an Attack of Opportunity unless the spell requires you to move out of an enemy’s reach. Spells that involve melee attacks may be used for opportunity attacks if you have the War Caster feat.

What is the extra attack rule in 5E?

The Extra Attack rule allows certain classes (like Fighters and Rangers) to make multiple attacks when they take the Attack action on their turn. The number of attacks increases with level.

Can you extra attack after a spell?

No, you cannot use Extra Attack after casting a spell. Extra Attack requires you to take the Attack action. Casting a spell is the Cast a Spell action.

Can I sneak attack on an opportunity attack?

Yes, you can apply Sneak Attack damage to an Attack of Opportunity if all the conditions for Sneak Attack are met (advantage on the attack roll, or an ally adjacent to the target).

Strategic Implications: Mastering the Art of Opportunity

Understanding and manipulating Attacks of Opportunity is crucial for effective battlefield control. By strategically positioning your character and utilizing feats like Sentinel, you can significantly impact enemy movement and protect your allies. This knowledge is particularly valuable for tank characters and those focused on controlling the flow of combat.

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Conclusion: Seizing the Moment

While the limitations on Attacks of Opportunity might seem restrictive at first, they encourage strategic thinking and tactical positioning. By understanding the rules and utilizing available feats and features, you can maximize your character’s potential and become a master of seizing the moment in any combat encounter. So, go forth, brave adventurer, and exploit every opportunity that comes your way!