Is Action Surge Worth Multiclassing? A Deep Dive
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In short, yes, Action Surge is often worth multiclassing for, depending on your desired build and character concept. Dipping into the Fighter class for just two levels to gain access to Action Surge provides a significant tactical advantage that can dramatically increase your damage output or utility in a single turn. However, it’s crucial to weigh the benefits against the potential drawbacks of delaying progression in your primary class.
The allure of Action Surge lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. It grants you an additional action on your turn, usable once per short or long rest (twice at Fighter level 17). This opens up a world of possibilities, from doubling down on offensive spells to executing complex maneuvers. But before you rush to embrace the warrior’s path, let’s dissect the advantages and disadvantages, and explore some popular and effective multiclass builds that leverage Action Surge’s power.
The Allure of Action Surge: A Tactical Game Changer
The core strength of Action Surge is its flexibility. It’s not just about dealing more damage, although that’s certainly a common application. Consider these scenarios:
- Casting Two Spells: For spellcasters, Action Surge allows you to circumvent the “one leveled spell per turn” rule (with the exception of spells cast as reactions). This means you could unleash a Fireball and then follow it up with a powerful crowd control spell like Hold Person.
- Double Attacking: Martial classes with Extra Attack benefit immensely. A level 5 Fighter, for instance, can attack twice as an action. Action Surge grants another action, enabling a total of four attacks in a single turn. This is devastating burst damage potential.
- Movement and Positioning: You can use an action to Dash, moving a significant distance, and then use your Action Surge to Attack. This is particularly useful for closing the gap on ranged opponents or repositioning to protect allies.
- Utility and Support: Action Surge can facilitate diverse actions like using a healer’s kit twice, administering potions to multiple allies, or using an object and then attacking.
The Drawbacks: Delayed Progression and Opportunity Cost
While Action Surge offers undeniable benefits, it’s essential to acknowledge the potential downsides of multiclassing:
- Delayed Class Features: Two levels in Fighter mean you’re two levels behind in your primary class. This could delay access to crucial spells, higher-level abilities, or archetype features. A Wizard might miss out on powerful 5th level spells, while a Rogue might have to wait longer for their Sneak Attack damage to increase.
- Stat Dependency: Fighters, by default, benefit from Strength or Dexterity, and Constitution. If your primary class relies on different stats (Intelligence for Wizards, Wisdom for Clerics, Charisma for Sorcerers), you might spread your ability score improvements too thinly, weakening both your Fighter abilities and your main class’s effectiveness.
- Armor Proficiency: While Fighter grants armor proficiency, unless you already have proficiency with martial weapons from your race or another class, you won’t gain it from a fighter multiclass.
Optimal Multiclass Combinations Featuring Action Surge
The effectiveness of Action Surge truly shines when combined with certain classes and builds:
- Sorcerer/Fighter (The “Sorcerer Nova”): This combination allows you to quicken a spell using sorcery points and then cast a full spell using the extra action gained from action surge. This can result in devastating burst damage.
- Paladin/Fighter (The “Divine Smite Machine”): Paladins deal significant burst damage through Divine Smite. Action Surge allows for more attacks in a turn, leading to more opportunities to land those smites. The added benefits of Action Surge can allow the paladin to become a more formidable foe on the battlefield.
- Rogue/Fighter (The “Assassin’s Burst”): Combining Rogue’s Sneak Attack with the additional attack from Action Surge lets you double your damage output in a single turn.
- Wizard/Fighter (The “Battlemage”): A two-level dip into Fighter can give wizards more survivability and gives them the opportunity to cast two leveled spells in the same turn.
Feats to Consider
Certain feats can synergize extremely well with Action Surge builds:
- Great Weapon Master/Sharpshooter: Combine these feats with extra attacks from Action Surge and Extra Attack for massive damage potential.
- Lucky: While not directly tied to Action Surge, Lucky provides valuable rerolls that can help ensure your attacks hit or your spells land effectively.
Making the Right Choice: Character Concept and Party Role
Ultimately, the decision of whether to multiclass for Action Surge depends on your character concept, your party’s needs, and your personal play style. Ask yourself these questions:
- What role do I want to play in the party? Am I primarily a damage dealer, a support character, or a tank?
- How much am I willing to sacrifice in terms of class progression? Am I comfortable delaying access to higher-level spells or abilities?
- Does the character concept justify the multiclass? Does it make sense for my character to have training in both magic and martial combat?
If you’re seeking to optimize damage output and are willing to sacrifice some class progression, Action Surge is a highly valuable tool. However, if you prioritize staying true to your primary class and focusing on its core strengths, it might be best to forgo the multiclass.
Remember, D&D is a game about storytelling and collaboration. Choose the path that best reflects your character and enhances the fun for everyone at the table. And always remember to review the rules and consider how the multiclass options might impact the gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I attack 4 times with Action Surge?
Yes, if you are a class with the “Extra Attack” feature (such as a 5th-level Fighter) and use Action Surge to take the Attack action again, you can attack a total of four times.
2. What is the most broken multiclass 5e with Action Surge?
While “broken” is subjective, the Sorcerer/Fighter combination (often called the “Sorcerer Nova”) is incredibly powerful. Combining Quickened Spell with Action Surge allows you to cast two leveled spells in a single turn, dealing massive burst damage.
3. How strong is Action Surge?
Action Surge is very strong. It allows you to take one additional action on your turn, giving you immense flexibility in combat. You can use it for attacking, casting spells, dashing, or any other action you can normally take.
4. Do you get 2 bonus actions with Action Surge?
No, you only get one bonus action per turn, regardless of whether you use Action Surge. If you use your bonus action for an off-hand attack, you only get one attack with it.
5. Is Action Surge short or long rest?
Action Surge can be used once per short or long rest until you reach level 17 in the Fighter class, at which point you can use it twice per rest (but only once on the same turn).
6. Can you Fireball twice with Action Surge?
Yes, a Fighter multiclassed as a Spellcaster can cast two Fireballs in the same round by using Action Surge to gain an extra action.
7. Can you use Action Surge twice in one turn?
No, you can only use Action Surge once per turn, even if you are a high-level Fighter who can use it twice per rest.
8. Does Action Surge give you all of your attacks?
Yes, Action Surge lets you take another action, including the Attack Action. So if you have Extra Attack, using Action Surge to take the Attack action again allows you to make all the attacks granted by that feature.
9. How many attacks does a 5th level Fighter get with Action Surge?
A 5th level Fighter with Action Surge can make four attacks in a single turn if they use both actions to take the Attack action.
10. Does Haste stack with Action Surge?
Yes. Haste gives you an additional action, which can be used for one attack. This stacks with Action Surge, which grants a full action that can be used to take the Attack action and make multiple attacks if you have the Extra Attack feature.
11. Can you use Action Surge to cast 2 spells?
Yes, Action Surge allows you to take a second action, so you can cast another spell, bypassing the usual restriction of only one leveled spell per turn (excluding reactions).
12. Can you ready an Action Surge?
Yes, you can use Action Surge to take the Ready action, allowing you to prepare to act later in the round.
13. Is Action Surge a feat?
No, Action Surge is a class feature of the Fighter class, gained at level 2. It is not a feat that can be acquired separately.
14. Do multiclass Extra Attacks stack?
No, Extra Attack does not stack between classes. If you have Extra Attack from multiple classes, you only gain the benefit of the highest number of attacks granted by a single class’s Extra Attack feature.
15. Can you cast Eldritch Blast twice with Action Surge?
Yes, you can cast Eldritch Blast twice in a round if you have Action Surge, as long as you have two actions available. Eldritch Blast is a cantrip, and cantrips scale off player level, not class level.
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