Understanding the Impact of Slow on Multiattack in D&D 5e
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The Slow spell is a potent tool in D&D 5e, capable of significantly hindering your enemies. One of its most impactful effects is its ability to neuter the Multiattack ability. In essence, a creature affected by the Slow spell can make only one melee or ranged attack during its turn, regardless of whether they possess the Multiattack feature. This limitation persists irrespective of any special abilities or magic items the creature might wield. The explicit wording of the Slow spell leaves no room for interpretation: it’s a hard cap on the number of attacks a slowed creature can make.
Diving Deeper into Slow and Multiattack Interactions
Understanding why Slow so effectively counters Multiattack requires a closer look at the mechanics involved. Multiattack is a special action described in a creature’s stat block, allowing them to perform multiple attacks as part of a single action. However, Slow doesn’t directly target the Multiattack action itself; instead, it limits the number of melee or ranged attacks a creature can make during its turn. Since Multiattack allows for multiple attacks within the action, the single attack restriction placed by Slow effectively nullifies its full potential.
This interaction is crucial for players to understand, as it can dramatically alter the dynamics of combat. Utilizing Slow against creatures reliant on Multiattack, such as many monsters and some martial characters, can significantly reduce their damage output and overall effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Slow and Multiattack
1. Does Slow affect reactions?
Yes, the Slow spell explicitly states that an affected target can’t use Reactions. This makes Slow a powerful tool for preventing opportunity attacks, interrupting spellcasting, or negating other reaction-based abilities.
2. How does Slow affect legendary actions?
Generally, Slow doesn’t directly affect legendary actions. Legendary actions are special abilities that a creature can use outside of its turn, often at the end of another creature’s turn. However, if a legendary action involves making a melee or ranged attack, the restriction of making only one such attack per turn does apply. For example, if a dragon’s legendary action is a tail attack, it could only use the tail attack as a legendary action OR its normal Multiattack during its turn (but only one melee or ranged attack, as the Multiattack action is rendered moot by Slow. Frightful Presence, as a non-attack action, would not be impacted.
3. How many times can Multiattack be used?
Creatures typically get one action per turn. Multiattack is an action, so a creature can use it once per turn, provided they haven’t used their action for something else. The Slow spell doesn’t change the fact that a creature can take the Multiattack action, but rather it limits the number of attacks made during that action to one.
4. How does Multiattack work with Extra Attack?
Extra Attack is a feature that applies when a character takes the Attack action. Multiattack is a special action, not the Attack action, so Extra Attack doesn’t directly interact with it. A creature with Multiattack uses the actions described as a part of the statblock.
5. Can you shove twice with Multiattack 5e?
No. Shoving is a special melee attack that can replace one attack from the Attack action. Since Multiattack isn’t the Attack action, you can’t typically incorporate a shove into it. You need an additional action or feature (like Action Surge or a specific class ability) to attempt a second shove.
6. Can you break up Multiattack with movement?
Yes, in 5e you can break up your movement between attacks made as part of any action, including Multiattack. For example, a monster could make one attack, move a short distance, and then make another attack (provided the Multiattack action allows for more than one attack).
7. Can you grapple multiple times with Multiattack?
Generally, no. Grappling is performed by taking the Attack action and replacing one of your attacks with a grapple attempt. Since Multiattack isn’t the Attack action, you can’t grapple with it.
8. Do you roll twice for Multiattack?
Yes. Each attack made as part of the Multiattack action requires its own separate attack roll. You roll individually for each attack to determine if it hits the target.
9. What are the rules for Multiattack?
Multiattack is a creature ability that allows it to make multiple attacks as part of a single action. It’s described in the creature’s stat block and specifies what attacks are made. Multiattack cannot be used as part of an opportunity attack.
10. Can a stunned enemy take legendary actions?
No. A stunned creature is incapacitated and cannot take actions or reactions, including legendary actions.
11. How do you get rid of Slow 5e?
There are several ways to remove the Slow effect:
- Dispel Magic: Casting Dispel Magic on the affected creature can end the spell.
- Ending Concentration: If the Slow spell was cast by a spellcaster, ending their concentration will immediately end the effect. This can be done by damaging the caster, forcing them to make a concentration check.
- Specific Abilities: Some class features or magic items may provide ways to remove or resist the Slow effect.
12. Is Slow a cleric spell?
Yes, Slow is a spell available to Clerics, as well as Sorcerers, Wizards, and Artificers (depending on their subclass). Order Clerics can use Slow effectively and combine it with bonus action spells to further hinder opponents.
13. Can you use Multiattack on a held action?
While it is not explictly disallowed, per se, it is generally accepted that a creature is meant to use Multiattack only on its turn, not on someone else’s. When you ready an attack, you make the single attack available during the readied action. A creature cannot make more than one attack as part of a readied attack: it can use multiattack only on its own turn.
14. Can Multiattack target multiple people?
Yes, Multiattack can target multiple people unless the specific ability states otherwise. Many Multiattack descriptions simply list attacks, implying that they can be distributed among different targets at the creature’s discretion.
15. Can you use a bonus action between Multiattack?
Generally, no. Casting a spell that requires 1 action, regardless of the number of attacks associated with it, is a single action which cannot be broken up with a bonus action.
Conclusion
The Slow spell is a powerful tool in D&D 5e, and its impact on the Multiattack ability is a prime example of its effectiveness. Understanding these interactions is vital for both players and Dungeon Masters, helping them to make informed decisions in combat and create engaging encounters. Remember to always consult the spell descriptions and creature stat blocks for the most accurate information. To further explore the intersection of games and learning, be sure to visit the Games Learning Society website at GamesLearningSociety.org. D&D is not just a game; it’s a complex system where understanding the rules can lead to creative problem-solving and strategic thinking.