Can You Use Sneak Attack on a Bonus Action in 5E? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, you absolutely can use Sneak Attack on a bonus action in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. This is a crucial element of playing a Rogue effectively, allowing for a variety of tactical options. The key is understanding the specific conditions that trigger Sneak Attack and how they interact with bonus actions. Let’s dive into the details. The most important thing to remember is that Sneak Attack is limited to once per turn, not once per round. This crucial distinction allows a rogue to use sneak attack on their own turn or if it is a reaction.

Understanding Sneak Attack

Core Rules of Sneak Attack

The core Sneak Attack rule is straightforward:

• Once per turn, you can deal extra damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you meet certain criteria.
• The attack must use a finesse or ranged weapon.
• You must have advantage on the attack roll, or another enemy of the target must be within 5 feet of it, that enemy must not be incapacitated, and you must not have disadvantage on the attack roll.
• Sneak Attack is not something you must use. You decide when you want to add it.

Sneak Attack and Bonus Actions

The important part to understand is that the “once per turn” rule applies regardless of whether the attack comes from your action, your bonus action, an Action Surge, or even an opportunity attack during someone else’s turn. It’s not tied to your main action.

So, if you have a valid attack from a bonus action, such as with Two-Weapon Fighting, you can apply Sneak Attack damage to it, provided the sneak attack criteria are met. If you hit with an attack as your action and used sneak attack already, then you will not be able to again this turn even if you make an additional attack via bonus action.

Bonus Actions and Sneak Attack

Two-Weapon Fighting

One common way Rogues utilize bonus actions is through Two-Weapon Fighting. When you take the Attack action with a light melee weapon, you can use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee weapon held in your other hand. Remember you don’t add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus action attack, (unless it’s a negative number), but you can add sneak attack damage if the requirements are met.

For example, a Rogue wielding two shortswords could attack with one as their action and then attack with the other as a bonus action. If the bonus action attack meets the sneak attack criteria, you can apply the extra damage.

Other Bonus Actions

While Two-Weapon Fighting is the most common bonus action attack for a Rogue, other scenarios can trigger bonus action attacks and sneak attack:

• Scout Rogue’s Sudden Strike: The Scout Rogue’s level 17 ability grants an extra attack as a bonus action if they take the Attack action. This additional bonus action attack can benefit from sneak attack, if it has not been used that turn.
• Certain magic items or feats might provide a bonus action attack, which is also eligible for sneak attack if conditions are met.

Tactical Advantages of Sneak Attack on Bonus Actions

Flexibility

The ability to use Sneak Attack on a bonus action greatly increases a Rogue’s tactical flexibility. You’re not locked into relying solely on your main action to deal significant damage.

Increased Damage Output

This can significantly boost your potential damage per turn, especially if you can consistently create situations where you have advantage or an ally is engaged with your target.

More Opportunity

Since the goal is to hit with an attack that uses sneak attack once per turn. This allows you more opportunities to do this.

FAQ – Sneak Attack and Bonus Actions in 5E

Q1: Does Sneak Attack apply to every attack made in a turn?

No. Sneak Attack only applies to one attack per turn, regardless of how many attacks you make or what actions you use.

Q2: Can I use Sneak Attack on an opportunity attack?

Yes! Since opportunity attacks occur on someone else’s turn, this is a totally different turn from the one on which you make your actions and/or bonus action. This means you could use sneak attack on your turn then also on your reaction on another players turn if the requirements are met.

Q3: What qualifies as a finesse weapon for Sneak Attack?

Finesse weapons allow you to use either Strength or Dexterity for the attack and damage rolls. Common examples include rapiers, shortswords, daggers, and scimitars.

Q4: What conditions grant advantage for Sneak Attack?

You gain advantage if the target is blinded, restrained, prone, or otherwise incapacitated. There are many other ways to gain advantage, based on your character’s abilities and spells.

Q5: If I have advantage and disadvantage, can I still get sneak attack?

No, you don’t get sneak attack because advantage and disadvantage cancel each other out. The condition is that you must not have disadvantage, and it also does not matter if you had advantage or not.

Q6: Can I use Action Surge to get a second Sneak Attack in a turn?

No. Action Surge gives you another action, but it’s still the same turn. Sneak Attack is limited to once per turn, not per action.

Q7: Does using a bonus action attack to get a sneak attack limit my main action?

No, you can use your action and bonus action in any order. So you can use your main action to attack and if you miss use a bonus action attack to still use sneak attack if the requirements are met.

Q8: Can I use Sneak Attack with a thrown weapon as a bonus action?

Yes, as long as the thrown weapon has the finesse or range weapon property and your requirements are met.

Q9: Do I add my ability modifier to the damage of a bonus action attack?

Normally, no. With Two-Weapon Fighting, you don’t add your ability modifier to the damage roll of the bonus action attack. You only add your modifier to the main attack. However, you can always use sneak attack damage for either action if conditions are met.

Q10: Can I cast a spell as an action and still use Sneak Attack on a bonus action attack?

Yes, you can cast a spell as your action, as long as it doesn’t restrict you. You can still use Sneak Attack on a bonus action attack if all conditions are met.

Q11: What if I hit with my action attack but didn’t use sneak attack, can I use it on a bonus attack?

Yes, because you decide if you want to use sneak attack when a qualifying attack hits, you can always choose to not use it, then use it on another qualifying attack on the same turn.

Q12: Can I move, attack with my action, move, and then attack with my bonus action?

Yes, as long as you have the movement, you can move in between multiple attacks. The movement between action and bonus action attack is fine and permitted.

Q13: Can you hide as a bonus action to gain advantage?

Yes, as a Rogue, from level 2 you can use your bonus action to hide, potentially gaining advantage on your next attack, thus fulfilling the sneak attack requirement.

Q14: Can I use a bonus action and then hold an action?

No, the Ready action allows you to prepare a single action. You cannot hold a bonus action.

Q15: Do I need advantage to use sneak attack?

No, you do not need advantage, you just need one of two conditions to use sneak attack: Either, you must have advantage, OR another enemy of the target must be within 5 feet of it, that enemy must not be incapacitated, and you must not have disadvantage on the attack roll.

Conclusion

In summary, Sneak Attack absolutely works on bonus actions in 5E. This greatly enhances the Rogue’s effectiveness and tactical depth. By understanding these rules and conditions, you can fully leverage the Rogue’s unique abilities and deal substantial damage in any combat situation. Remember that sneak attack is only used once per turn, and not per round. Good luck, and happy adventuring!