Extra Attack: Unleashing Multiple Strikes in D&D 5e
At its core, the Extra Attack feature in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e) allows a character to make multiple attacks as part of their Attack action, rather than just one. This ability is a cornerstone of martial classes and plays a crucial role in shaping combat effectiveness as characters progress through levels. The basic concept is simple: instead of being limited to a single attack when you choose to attack, the Extra Attack feature grants you additional strikes, dramatically increasing your damage output and tactical flexibility on the battlefield. The number of extra attacks a character gains is directly tied to their class and level, typically increasing at specific thresholds. This feature doesn’t grant additional actions, but rather enhances the effectiveness of the Attack action itself.
Understanding the Mechanics of Extra Attack
The core rule of Extra Attack is that when a character takes the Attack action on their turn, they can make more than one attack. Importantly, Extra Attack is not a separate action, but an augmentation of the existing Attack action.
- Level-Based Progression: The number of attacks a character gets through Extra Attack is tied to class progression. Typically, a character with the Extra Attack feature will start with the ability to make two attacks at 5th level. They may gain more, such as three at 11th level, and four at 20th level, based on their class progression.
- Attack Action Focus: Extra Attack only applies when a character uses their action to make an attack. Therefore, taking a different action, like casting a spell (unless it involves a spell attack), or using the Dash action, doesn’t trigger this feature.
- No Additional Actions: It is crucial to understand that Extra Attack does not provide additional actions. You still have only one action per turn to make attacks. The feature allows you to make multiple attacks during that single Attack action.
- Separate Attacks: Each attack granted by Extra Attack is considered a separate attack. This means each one has its own attack roll and potential to hit or miss, each able to target a different enemy within your reach.
Extra Attack and Spell Attacks
Extra Attack applies even when you’re not using weapons. If you’re casting spells that use attack rolls, these spell attacks also benefit from Extra Attack. For example:
- Magic Stone: This spell allows you to enchant pebbles into ranged attack projectiles. As it uses an attack roll, you can utilize Extra Attack to fling multiple stones.
- Shadow Blade: This conjured weapon makes a melee attack. It benefits from Extra Attack just as a physical weapon would.
Extra Attack Beyond the Basics
There are a variety of other nuances that are important to understand relating to the Extra Attack feature. These specifics help players to gain a deeper comprehension of the game and make the best choices in combat.
Bonus Actions, Reactions, and Extra Attack
One of the frequently asked questions regarding extra attacks is how it impacts bonus actions and reactions. It’s important to remember that Extra Attack doesn’t alter the number of bonus actions a character can take. However, certain features or spells might trigger an additional bonus action to attack if the trigger is an attack and not the action itself.
- Interrupting Attacks: Generally, you can’t insert a bonus action in the middle of your extra attacks unless the trigger is an attack itself.
Targeting and Flexibility
- Multiple Targets: Each attack granted by the Extra Attack feature can be directed at different targets within your reach. This allows a character to spread damage or focus down a single foe.
- Weapon Variations: Extra attack doesn’t limit you to the same weapon for each strike. You can switch weapons between attacks if you’re wielding more than one. You could hit with a sword, then with an off hand axe.
Multiattack vs. Extra Attack
It is important to differentiate between Multiattack and Extra Attack. Multiattack is a specific action used by certain monsters, not players, and it is not an Attack Action.
- Multiattack Action: Monsters with Multiattack have a description stating what they do within their Multiattack option, which could be clawing and biting with different actions, or multiple attacks with the same action.
- Extra Attack Limitation: Extra Attack is specific to the Attack action. It will not work in conjunction with Multiattack.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding Extra Attack, to help provide even further insight into this valuable feature:
1. Does Extra Attack apply to two-weapon fighting?
Yes, Extra Attack can be combined with two-weapon fighting. However, two-weapon fighting uses a bonus action for the off-hand attack. Extra Attack increases the number of attacks with your main hand weapon (or weapon you choose to attack with), while the bonus action off-hand attack is an entirely separate attack.
2. Can you interrupt Extra Attack with a bonus action?
Generally, no. You cannot insert a bonus action between the multiple attacks granted by Extra Attack unless that bonus action triggers on an attack, not the action. For instance, features like Tavern Brawler work because the trigger is hitting with an attack. However, Shield Master Shove does not work because the trigger is the action itself and not the attack.
3. Can you combine Extra Attack with Haste?
The Haste spell gives an additional action to perform, but it is limited to an attack action, dash, disengage, hide or use object. Yes, you can use Extra Attack with a Haste action, if you have it, but the additional Haste action only gets a single attack, not multiple, even with extra attack.
4. Can you grapple twice with Extra Attack?
Yes, you can. Grappling or shoving uses the attack action, so a character with Extra Attack could choose to grapple, shove, or mix in attacks however many times they have extra attacks.
5. Does Extra Attack let you cast two spells?
No. Extra Attack only applies to the Attack action. Casting a spell is a separate Cast a Spell action, so it doesn’t benefit from Extra Attack. Action Surge, gained by fighters, is needed to gain a second action that can be used to cast another spell.
6. Can you cast a spell then attack with Extra Attack?
No. This is because casting a spell is a Cast a Spell action and not the Attack Action. Extra Attack only works with the Attack Action not the Cast a Spell action.
7. Can you make a thrown weapon attack as a bonus action?
Yes, if you are using two weapons, you can make an attack with the primary weapon (which can use extra attack, and if the trigger is on the attack, even a bonus attack), and then make a bonus action attack with the off-hand weapon. To throw the offhand weapon, you would be drawing the thrown weapon, and throwing it as a bonus action.
8. Can you use different weapons with Extra Attack?
Yes, absolutely. The feature doesn’t restrict you to using the same weapon with each attack.
9. Does Extra Attack require the same weapon for each attack?
No. You are free to use a main hand weapon, off hand weapon, an unarmed strike, or other compatible attack during your attack action with Extra Attack.
10. Can you sneak attack twice with Extra Attack?
No. Sneak Attack is limited to once per turn, regardless of how many attacks a character makes, or actions they use. However, a Rogue can use Sneak Attack on attacks made on other people’s turns, like an opportunity attack with their reaction.
11. Can you use Extra Attack with a readied action?
No, normally extra attack does not work with readied actions, but a DM might allow this. However, some Dungeon Masters permit Extra Attack with readied attack actions, but usually not with opportunity attacks.
12. Does grapple count as an attack for Extra Attack?
No, but it does use the Attack Action. The Extra Attack feature triggers when you take the Attack action. This means that you can use the attack action to grapple and then use your remaining extra attacks to punch, grapple, or shove.
13. Can you shove and attack with Extra Attack?
Yes. You can shove, grapple or attack as a character, so you can do any combination you want when you take the Attack action.
14. How does Extra Attack work?
The Extra Attack feature simply gives you an extra attack anytime you take the Attack Action. You can take the second attack regardless of whether you hit or miss with the first attack. Keep in mind that this feature is only available when you take the Attack Action.
15. Can you hold an action if you use a bonus action?
No, you can’t hold a bonus action. You can only hold one action which is a specific action and not a bonus action. You can use a bonus action if you choose, but you cannot hold a bonus action to be triggered at a different time.