How Many Times Can You Attack in D&D?
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The number of times you can attack in D&D isn’t a simple, fixed number. It varies significantly based on your class, your level, and the specific actions you take on your turn. At its most basic, without special abilities or feats, you can make one attack per turn when you take the Attack action. However, many classes and abilities allow for significantly more attacks, sometimes even in the same turn. Therefore, the answer to “How many times can you attack in D&D?” is: it depends. This article will dive deep into the mechanisms behind attacking in D&D, exploring Extra Attack, bonus actions, and other factors that determine how many blows your character can deliver.
The Core: Actions and the Attack Action
In D&D 5th Edition, your character’s turn is structured around actions, bonus actions, movement, and free actions. The most fundamental way to attack is by using your action to take the Attack action. Normally, this allows you to make a single melee or ranged weapon attack. You can choose to attack with a weapon you’re wielding, either striking with a sword, firing an arrow, or even throwing a dagger.
However, this simple rule is just the starting point. Many features can modify the number of attacks you can make in a turn, and these are what make D&D combat truly dynamic.
Extra Attack: The Key to Multiple Attacks
The Extra Attack feature is a cornerstone of many martial classes in D&D. Beginning at 5th level, many classes gain the ability to attack multiple times when they take the Attack action. Specifically, the feature states: “Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack Action on Your Turn.” This is a crucial upgrade that essentially doubles your offensive potential.
As you progress further in some classes, specifically the Fighter, you can even increase this number further. The Fighter gets three attacks at 11th level and four at 20th level. Keep in mind, the Extra Attack feature from different classes does not stack. If you are a multiclassed character with both Fighter and Barbarian, you would still only gain Extra Attack once.
Bonus Action Attacks
Besides your standard action, you also have a bonus action, which can sometimes be used for attacking. The most common way to attack using a bonus action is through two-weapon fighting, often referred to as dual wielding. When you take the Attack action with a light weapon in one hand, you can use your bonus action to attack with a different light weapon in your other hand. This provides an additional attack each turn.
It’s important to note that not all classes gain bonus action attacks. Certain feats and specific class abilities also unlock bonus action attacks, adding another layer to the potential number of attacks a character can make.
Other Factors Affecting Attack Count
Beyond Extra Attack and bonus action attacks, a few other game mechanics can influence the number of attacks in a turn.
- Haste Spell: This spell grants an additional action, which can be used to take the Attack action for an additional set of strikes, including extra attacks if you have them.
- Action Surge (Fighter): The Fighter’s Action Surge feature allows them to take an additional action on their turn, which could be another Attack action.
- Ready Action: You can use your action to “Ready” an attack. However, If that action triggers on your own turn, you benefit from Extra Attack since it is on your turn.
- Multiattack: While more commonly used by monsters, some characters gain Multiattack and use it when taking the Attack action. This allows them to attack with specific different types of attacks.
Cantrips and Attacks
It’s crucial to distinguish between the Attack action and taking the Cast a Spell action. Cantrips are spells and use the Cast a Spell action, not the Attack action. As such, Extra Attack does not apply to casting cantrips. However, certain abilities, like the Bladesinger Wizard’s Extra Attack feature at 6th level allows a Bladesinger to cast a cantrip as one of their extra attacks, but cannot use that to cast two cantrips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions that will further clarify how attacks work in D&D:
1. How Many Actions Are There in D&D?
You typically have one action, one bonus action, and a movement allotment each turn. Some abilities and spells may grant additional actions or other free actions.
2. Does Extra Attack Apply to Cantrips?
No, Extra Attack only applies when you use the Attack action. Cantrips use the Cast a Spell action. There are specific features for some classes like the Bladesinger that allow certain cantrips as part of extra attacks, but not two cantrips.
3. Can You Move Between Extra Attacks?
Yes, you can break up your movement between multiple attacks, even from Extra Attack, giving you flexibility on the battlefield.
4. Can You Attack with a Bonus Action if You Have Extra Attack?
Yes, provided you meet the criteria for a bonus action attack, such as two-weapon fighting. The bonus action is distinct from the Attack action and can happen in addition to any Extra Attacks.
5. How Many Times Can a Rogue Sneak Attack?
Rogues can only apply Sneak Attack once per turn, not once per round. This means they could potentially do this twice if they land an opportunity attack on someone else’s turn.
6. Can Extra Attacks Stack From Different Classes?
No, the Extra Attack feature does not stack between classes. If you have Extra Attack from Fighter and Barbarian, you will still only get two attacks.
7. Can You Ready Multiattack?
Yes, you can ready Multiattack, but Extra Attack only applies on your turn. Therefore if the readied Multiattack occurs on your turn you benefit from Extra Attack
8. Can You Shove Multiple Times With Extra Attack?
No, shoving is an attack itself. You can replace an attack with a shove, but not get multiple shove attempts from multiple attacks. You can however shove more than once if you get a second action from something like haste or action surge.
9. Is Opening a Door an Action?
Opening a door generally uses your movement allowance unless you are doing something specific while doing so that might count as an action.
10. How Long is One Action?
Each round of combat lasts 6 seconds in the game world. Therefore an action can be considered to happen within that 6 second window.
11. What is the Massive Damage Rule?
The Massive Damage rule is an optional rule that requires a saving throw if you take damage equal to or greater than half of your max hit points or 50 points of damage (whichever is greater), which can result in death on failure.
12. Can You Use the Same Fighting Style Twice?
No, you cannot choose the same Fighting Style option more than once.
13. What Level Do Fighters Get Action Surge?
Fighters get Action Surge at 2nd level, allowing them to take an additional action once per short or long rest.
14. Which Classes Get Extra Attack?
Many martial classes get Extra Attack at level 5, with some variations. Fighters gain more attacks at 11th and 20th levels. Bladesingers, Sword Bards, and Valor Bards gain theirs at 6th level.
15. What is a Finesse Weapon?
A finesse weapon allows you to use either Strength or Dexterity for attack rolls. A dagger, for example, is a finesse weapon.
Conclusion
Attacking in D&D is more complex than it initially appears. With the interplay of actions, bonus actions, Extra Attack, class features, feats, and spells, the possibilities are vast. Understanding these mechanics is essential for optimizing your combat effectiveness and mastering the art of battle in D&D. The number of times you can attack per turn can vary significantly, making each combat encounter unique and engaging. Armed with this knowledge, you can confidently lead your character into the fray.