Can You Shove with Multiattack? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is yes, you can shove as part of a Multiattack, but with some important distinctions. For characters with the Extra Attack feature, which allows multiple attacks with a single Attack action, substituting one of those attacks for a shove is completely legal and a common tactic. However, the rules differ significantly for monsters and their Multiattack abilities, which are not the same as Extra Attack. This article delves deep into the nuances of shoving and Multiattack, addressing related questions to clarify the rules for both players and DMs.
The Core Mechanic: Shoving as an Attack
The core concept hinges on how a “shove” is defined in D&D 5e. It’s not an action on its own, but rather a special melee attack that replaces one normal attack. Instead of making an attack roll, you make a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the target’s Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check (their choice).
Player Characters and Extra Attack
Player characters, particularly martial classes like Fighters, Barbarians, and Rangers, often gain the Extra Attack feature at 5th level (and sometimes even earlier), allowing them to attack multiple times when taking the Attack action. This is crucial, because the rule is that if you are able to take the Attack action you can substitute one of your attacks to shove a creature. So if you have multiple attacks available, then you can swap one of your attack action to shove a creature. If successful, you either push the target 5 feet away or knock them prone. This flexibility is what makes shoving so useful for controlling the battlefield and creating advantages for your party.
For example, a 7th-level Fighter with two attacks can make one regular attack, and then substitute their second attack to shove an opponent. This can be particularly useful for pushing enemies off ledges, creating space between you and your opponents, or setting them up for a follow-up melee attack, by knocking them prone.
Monsters and Multiattack: A Different Story
Unlike player characters, monsters don’t have the Extra Attack feature. They have a special Multiattack trait. This isn’t the same thing as the player’s Extra Attack. Multiattack specifies a list of attacks (and sometimes other actions) a monster can perform in a single action. It is critical to note that most of the time, these attacks are predetermined, and a monster cannot replace one of them with a shove or a grapple unless explicitly stated in its stat block. The monster’s stat block will typically say something like “The creature makes one bite attack and two claw attacks”. They cannot choose to make one bite attack, one claw attack, and a shove.
This limitation is by design. It ensures that monsters follow their intended combat strategy and don’t suddenly gain abilities beyond their designed challenge rating. A specific monster’s stat block might have an ability that allows it to shove as part of its Multiattack, but this will be clearly stated. For example, a Giant Crab has Multiattack allowing it to make two claw attacks, but it does not have a shove ability.
Understanding the Action Economy
The key to understanding the rules surrounding shoving and multiattack is the game’s action economy. A character or a monster has a specific number of actions they can take during their turn (usually one action, one bonus action and movement). The Attack action allows a character to make a number of attacks, and a character with Extra Attack can make multiple attacks as part of that one Attack action. One of these attacks can be a shove. A monster that takes the Multiattack action must take the actions that have been detailed in its specific stat block, and those actions can include shoves or other attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I shove twice in one turn if I have multiple attacks?
If you have the Extra Attack feature (or similar), and two attacks for the Attack action, you could use both of them to perform shoves. However, you cannot use more shoves than attacks you have from your Attack action. If you have only one Attack action, you cannot take more than the number of attacks you have available, or the number of attacks you have available plus one shove, if you decide to use one of your attacks for a shove. To shove more than once using the attack action, you would need to get more attacks (from Haste or another effect).
2. Can a monster shove as part of Multiattack?
Generally no, unless the monster’s Multiattack description specifically includes the option to shove. Most Multiattack options are a defined set of melee or ranged attacks that cannot be swapped out for other actions.
3. Does a shove break a grapple?
Yes. Shoving either the grappled target or the grappler can end a grapple. If you successfully shove a grappled creature 5 feet away from the grappler, it is no longer within reach and the grapple is broken.
4. Can I grapple and shove in the same turn?
Yes. Both grappling and shoving are special melee attacks that can replace one attack each. If you have multiple attacks from your Attack action, you could grapple with one and shove with another.
5. Can I use Multiattack when making a readied attack?
No. A readied attack can only be a single attack. The Extra Attack feature and Multiattack ability only applies to your turn. This means if you use a reaction to make an attack outside of your turn, you only make one single attack.
6. Can I use Multiattack on a held action?
No. You cannot use Multiattack as part of a held action because the ability states that it is used during the creatures turn. Also, held actions only consist of one attack.
7. How does Multiattack defense work?
Multiattack Defense is a monster ability that gives the target a +4 bonus to AC against all subsequent attacks made by that creature for the rest of the turn, if they are hit by one of the creature’s attacks.
8. Do you roll twice for Multiattack?
Yes. You make an attack roll for each attack in a Multiattack.
9. Can you grapple as part of Multiattack?
Generally no. Grappling replaces an attack from the Attack action of the player. Most monsters do not have the same rules, and therefore cannot grapple as part of multiattack unless explicitly written in their stat block.
10. Can you use a bonus action between attacks with Multiattack?
No. All attacks made as part of the Attack action are made at the same time, even if you can replace one with a shove or grapple. You cannot break these attacks up with a bonus action.
11. How many times can Multiattack be used?
Multiattack can be used every turn by a monster that possesses the ability. It is an action, so if the monster is able to take the Multiattack action, then it can use the ability.
12. Can Multiattack target multiple people?
Yes. If you are able to make multiple attacks in a round, they can be against the same target or different targets.
13. How does slow affect Multiattack?
A creature affected by slow can only make one attack during its turn, even if they have Multiattack. The slow spell explicitly limits attacks to one during their turn.
14. Can you use Multiattack with vampiric touch?
No. Vampiric Touch is a spell that requires the Cast a Spell action. Extra attacks happen as part of the Attack action. Because you must Cast a Spell, you cannot use your Extra Attacks from the Attack Action, including those that could be used to shove.
15. Does grappling count for rage?
Yes. Because grappling is an attack, trying to grapple an opponent is an attack and allows you to continue your rage.
Conclusion
The interplay between shoving, grappling, and Multiattack can be complex. For player characters with the Extra Attack feature, the ability to replace one attack with a shove adds a layer of tactical depth to combat encounters. For monsters, their Multiattack is a more rigid ability that is defined within their stat blocks, and generally does not give them the ability to replace an attack with a shove or grapple. Always refer to the specific rules and descriptions in the Player’s Handbook and Monster Manual. Hopefully, these clarifications will help you dominate the battlefield and play D&D with confidence.