What are the rules for bonus action attack?

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What are the rules for bonus action attack?

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The rules for bonus action attack state that you can use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee weapon that you’re holding in the other hand when you take the Attack action and attack with a light melee weapon that you’re holding in one hand. You don’t add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus attack, unless that modifier is negative, and you can only take one bonus action on your turn.

Understanding Bonus Actions

To understand the rules for bonus action attack, it’s essential to know how bonus actions work in general.

Bonus Action FAQs

General Questions

  1. Can you take a bonus action if you can’t take an action? You choose when to take a bonus action during your turn, unless the bonus action’s timing is specified, and anything that deprives you of your ability to take actions also prevents you from taking a bonus action.
  2. Can anyone attack with a bonus action? No; you can only take the attack action as a bonus action if there is something in your class allowing it, such as how the domain of war cleric is allowed to make a weapon attack as a bonus action.
  3. How does the attack bonus work in 5E? When attacking with a weapon, your bonus to hit is equal to your proficiency modifier plus your ability modifier, and your bonus to damage is just your strength bonus.

Using Bonus Actions

  1. What are the rules for bonus action 5e? During each round of combat, players are allowed to use one bonus action, but D&D 5e lacks any universal bonus actions, and bonus actions depend entirely on a character’s abilities.
  2. Can you extra attack on a bonus action attack? If you have an ability that takes a bonus action, you can use that before or after making your two attacks, and you can still use your bonus action, as Extra Attack grants you an extra attack when you use the “Attack” action.
  3. When can I use my bonus action? You can only take bonus actions when you could take an action on your turn, as stated in the PHB on page 189.

Casting Spells and Bonus Actions

  1. When can I cast a bonus action? A spell cast with a bonus action is especially swift, and you must use a bonus action on your turn to cast the spell, provided that you haven’t already taken a bonus action this turn.
  2. Can I cast a bonus action spell then attack? Bonus action spells are one of the best ways to improve your action economy during combat, allowing you to cast a powerful spell and have an action to attack or cast a cantrip on the same turn.

Actions and Bonus Actions

  1. Can you dash as both a bonus action and an action? Yes, you can take one action, which may be the Dash action, and many abilities and spells allow you to Dash as a bonus action.
  2. Can you start your turn with a bonus action? Depending on the Bonus Action, yes, you may take a Bonus Action on the start of your turn, if it has a criteria, then you have to fill that criteria first, before you can take the action.

Movement and Bonus Actions

  1. Can you move on a bonus action? It’s already in the rules that if you have Extra Attack and 30 feet of movement, you can move 10 feet, attack one target, then move 20 feet, and attack a different target, and you can even move in between multiattacks.
  2. Can you throw a dagger as a bonus action? Yes, Thrown is a weapon property not a separate ability, so yes you can throw both daggers as part of your attack action and bonus action.

Limitations and Restrictions

  1. What is the difference between an action and a bonus action? On your turn, you can move and take an action, and a bonus action is literally just an extra action you are allowed to take because of a class feature or a feat.
  2. Can you cast a spell with a casting time of a bonus action as an action? Unfortunately, there is no way outside of DM permission to get both on the same turn, as a spell with a casting time of a Bonus Action can only be cast as a Bonus Action.
  3. Can you make one weapon attack as a bonus action? The War Magic feature lets you make one weapon attack as a bonus action, which is conditional on having used your action to cast a cantrip, and having a bonus action available.

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