Does Booming Blade Work with Multiattack? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is no. Booming Blade does not work directly with Multiattack. Here’s why: Multiattack, a feature common among many monsters and some player character classes like the Fighter, specifically requires taking the Attack action. Booming Blade, on the other hand, requires taking the Cast a Spell action. These are two distinct actions in the game, and one cannot be substituted for the other in this context. The rest of this guide will further elaborate on why this interaction doesn’t work and will cover common related questions about the Booming Blade cantrip.
Understanding the Core Mechanics
To fully understand why Booming Blade and Multiattack don’t synergize, it’s essential to grasp the mechanics of each:
Multiattack
Multiattack is a feature that allows a creature to make multiple weapon attacks as part of a single action. It’s typically worded as something like, “The creature makes two melee attacks” or “The creature makes one bite attack and one claw attack.” The key here is that it hinges on taking the Attack action.
Booming Blade
Booming Blade is a cantrip that requires you to make a melee attack with a weapon as part of casting the spell. When you cast it, you make a melee weapon attack, and if the target willingly moves 5 feet or more before the start of your next turn, they take extra thunder damage. Crucially, casting Booming Blade requires the Cast a Spell action, not the Attack action.
The Action Economy Conflict
The reason they don’t work together lies in the action economy. You can only take one action on your turn (barring specific abilities like Action Surge). Therefore, you can either take the Attack action, enabling Multiattack, or you can take the Cast a Spell action to cast Booming Blade, but you can’t do both simultaneously.
Delving Deeper
While you can’t directly combine Booming Blade with Multiattack, there are ways to work around this limitation:
Bladesinger’s Extra Attack Feature
The Bladesinger subclass for Wizards has a unique feature that bends the rules. At 6th level, their Extra Attack feature allows them to make one weapon attack after casting a cantrip. This effectively simulates a limited version of multiattack alongside a cantrip like Booming Blade. They still aren’t technically using multiattack but are making an additional attack on their turn.
Action Surge (Fighter)
A Fighter with the Action Surge feature can potentially cast Booming Blade and then use their Action Surge to take the Attack action, allowing them to make additional attacks (if they have Extra Attack from their fighter levels). This requires burning a resource (Action Surge) but allows for casting Booming Blade and still making additional attacks on the same turn.
Booming Blade FAQs: Common Questions Answered
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the Booming Blade cantrip:
1. Can you replace one of your attacks from the Attack action with Booming Blade?
No. This is a common misunderstanding. The text of the Booming Blade spell requires the Cast a Spell action. You cannot substitute it for one of the attacks from the Attack action.
2. Can you offhand attack with Booming Blade?
No, Booming Blade does not allow for an offhand weapon attack. The spell focuses solely on the initial melee weapon attack made as part of the casting.
3. Can you use Booming Blade with a two-handed weapon?
Yes, Booming Blade can be used with a two-handed weapon. The spell simply requires a melee weapon for the initial attack.
4. Do two Booming Blades stack? Can Booming Blades stack?
No, the effects of multiple castings of Booming Blade do not stack. If you cast it twice on the same target, only the most recent casting applies. The initial weapon damage from each casting, however, is still dealt.
5. Should you use Booming Blade or Extra Attack (on classes that don’t have Bladesinger’s Extra Attack feature)?
This is a strategic choice that depends on several factors. Extra Attack is generally superior for consistent damage output, especially if you have damage riders on your attacks (like Sneak Attack or Battle Master maneuvers). Booming Blade is better if you can reliably trigger the secondary damage (forcing movement) or if you have a way to gain advantage on your attack.
6. Can you combine Shillelagh and Booming Blade?
Yes, combining Shillelagh and Booming Blade is perfectly permissible. Shillelagh enchants a club or quarterstaff, making it use your spellcasting ability modifier for attack and damage rolls. This works fine with Booming Blade.
7. Can Booming Blade be Counterspelled?
Yes, Booming Blade can be Counterspelled. Since it is a cantrip (a spell), Counterspell can be used to interrupt its casting.
8. Can an Eldritch Knight use Green Flame Blade or Booming Blade effectively?
Yes, at level 7, the Eldritch Knight’s War Magic feature allows them to make a weapon attack as a bonus action after casting a cantrip. This is one of the few ways a non-Bladesinger class can readily combine these types of spells with weapon attacks.
9. Do Battle Master maneuvers work with Booming Blade?
Some Battle Master maneuvers can work with Booming Blade, but not all. Maneuvers that trigger “when you make a weapon attack” are generally compatible. However, maneuvers that require you to take the Attack action cannot be used with Booming Blade.
10. Can you stack Booming Blade and Green Flame Blade?
No, you cannot cast both Booming Blade and Green Flame Blade with a single attack. You can, however, potentially cast one on your turn and another using a bonus action or Action Surge, depending on your class and available resources.
11. Does Booming Blade work with Soulknife?
The interaction between Booming Blade and the Soulknife’s Psychic Blades is generally considered not to work due to the specific requirements of the cantrip needing a material component that has a gold piece value. Since Psychic Blades are conjured, they are usually considered to be without such a material component.
12. Does Horde Breaker work with Booming Blade?
Yes, Horde Breaker can work with Booming Blade. Horde Breaker simply requires that a weapon attack be made against one creature and then allows you to attack another. Booming Blade qualifies as a weapon attack.
13. Does Spell Sniper increase Booming Blade range?
No, Spell Sniper does not effectively increase Booming Blade range. While Spell Sniper doubles the range of spells that require an attack roll, Booming Blade’s range is limited by its requirement that you make a melee attack against a creature within 5 feet of you. You are still making the melee attack within 5 feet.
14. Can you throw a weapon with Booming Blade?
No, you cannot throw a weapon with Booming Blade. The spell specifies that you make a melee attack with the weapon. A thrown weapon is a ranged attack.
15. Does Dueling fighting style apply to Booming Blade?
Yes, the Dueling Fighting Style applies to Booming Blade. Since the spell requires an attack with a one-handed weapon and no other weapon in the other hand, it meets the requirements.
Conclusion
While Booming Blade and Multiattack are not directly compatible due to their action requirements, understanding the intricacies of each allows for creative workarounds and strategic decision-making. Explore the various class features and feats that can bridge the gap, and always consider the specific circumstances of each encounter to maximize your effectiveness.
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