Unleashing the Bard’s Potential: A Deep Dive into Bonus Actions
Bards, the charismatic storytellers and magical musicians of D&D, are renowned for their versatility. While their actions are often focused on spellcasting and performance, a significant part of their toolkit lies within the realm of bonus actions. This often-overlooked aspect can greatly enhance a bard’s effectiveness in combat and exploration. But what exactly can a bard do as a bonus action? In essence, a bard’s bonus action options include: granting Bardic Inspiration, casting certain spells, using specific feats, and employing magic items. Mastering the art of the bonus action is crucial to unlocking a bard’s full potential.
Bonus Action Options for Bards
Let’s break down the key areas where bards can utilize their bonus action:
Bardic Inspiration: The Core of Bardic Support
The quintessential bardic ability, Bardic Inspiration, is primarily a bonus action. As a bonus action, a bard can choose a creature (other than themselves) within 60 feet that can hear them and grant them a Bardic Inspiration die (a d6 initially). The inspired creature can roll the die and add the result to one ability check, attack roll, or saving throw they make within the next 10 minutes. This ability can drastically influence the outcome of crucial moments and is often the go-to bonus action for support-oriented bards. The size of the die increases as the bard levels up, further amplifying its usefulness.
Bonus Action Spells
While many spells require a full action to cast, some spells have a casting time of 1 bonus action. These spells are often swift, allowing a bard to cast both a cantrip with a casting time of one action, or an action spell and still perform another action in the same turn. These spells range from buffs, such as Healing Word to debuffs like Bane, and can provide a tactical edge in combat. Choosing the right bonus action spell based on the situation is vital for any bard looking to maximize their impact. You can also cast Eldritch Blast as a bonus action for 5 rounds without converting any spell slots.
Feats and Special Abilities
Certain feats provide bards with additional bonus action options. For example, the Magic Initiate feat allows a bard to learn spells from another class and potentially gain a bonus action spell. Furthermore, specific subclasses might provide unique bonus action options tied to their abilities. These feats can add greater flexibility and customization to a bard’s playstyle, depending on the chosen feats.
Magic Items
Many magical items require a bonus action to activate. A potion of healing, might be consumed with a bonus action in order to restore hit points to yourself or a companion, or a magic weapon might require a bonus action to activate a special property. The versatility of magic items means a bard needs to consider the available options, always keeping in mind that only one bonus action can be taken per turn.
FAQs: Expanding Your Knowledge of Bard Bonus Actions
Can a bard cast a cantrip as a bonus action?
No, generally a bard cannot cast a cantrip as a bonus action. However, they can cast a cantrip with a casting time of one action, and use their bonus action to cast a spell with a casting time of 1 bonus action.
What counts as a bonus action in D&D?
Besides the bard-specific examples above, general bonus actions include using abilities like Cunning Action (rogues), using a second attack with two-weapon fighting, using a shield master shove, and many others. The rules of D&D state that you can only use one bonus action per turn.
How do you make a bard useful in combat?
To make a bard effective in combat, invest in Charisma, Dexterity, and Constitution. Focus on spells and abilities that support your party while using your bonus actions wisely, particularly for Bardic Inspiration and swift spells. It is also vital to consider your spells and the order in which to use them. For example, Hexblade’s Curse can be applied to an opponent via a bonus action. Then you can cast a spell with your action, like Eldritch Blast.
Is the bard overpowered?
While bards are versatile and can achieve significant damage output with clever subclass and multiclassing choices, they are not inherently overpowered. They require tactical awareness to effectively manage their spells, inspiration, and other abilities.
Can you throw a dagger as a bonus action?
Yes, if you are utilizing the two-weapon fighting rules and wielding a light melee weapon, you can throw a dagger as a bonus action attack. However, without the two-weapon fighting option, you won’t gain your added proficiency bonus on damage with your off-hand attack.
Can you use two bonus actions instead of an action?
No, you can only use one bonus action per turn, regardless of how many abilities or feats you have that grant bonus actions. If multiple features use a bonus action, you must choose one.
Is Eldritch Blast a bonus action?
Normally Eldritch Blast is an action, however, you can cast Eldritch Blast as a bonus action for 5 rounds without converting any spell slots if you possess the relevant warlock class features that allow it. This is typically done in conjunction with Hex or Hexblade’s Curse, which also can be cast as a bonus action.
Can you cast spells as a bonus action?
Yes, if the spell has a casting time of 1 bonus action. If you do so, the only other spell you can cast on the same turn is a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action.
Can you hold a bonus action as an action?
No, you can only hold an action. A bonus action cannot be held or readied for later use.
Can you dash as a bonus action?
Yes, certain classes, like Rogues, can use class features such as Cunning Action to Dash, Hide, or Disengage as a bonus action. Otherwise, the dash action is a full action.
Can bards replace cantrips?
No, a bard cannot swap out their cantrips after they are chosen. The rules that let you replace spells known do not apply to cantrips.
Can you cast 2 cantrips in one turn?
No, you cannot cast two spells in one turn, unless one of them is cast as a bonus action. In that case, the spell cast as a bonus action must be a spell with a casting time of 1 bonus action, and the other spell must be a cantrip with a casting time of one action.
Can you use a bonus action and then hold an action 5e?
No, you can only ready an action, not a bonus action. When you ready an action, you declare what you intend to do when a trigger occurs. You do not get to ready any bonus action.
Can you use a bonus action before a normal action?
Yes, you can use your action and bonus action in any order you wish, as long as it’s on your turn.
Can you only use a bonus action once?
Yes, you can only use one bonus action during your turn. However, abilities granted via Readied Actions which happen outside your turn do not apply to this limit.
Conclusion
Understanding how to best use a bard’s bonus action is vital for any player who wants to maximize their capabilities. Whether providing crucial Bardic Inspiration, casting a timely bonus action spell, or utilizing feats and items, bards possess a unique set of options to weave together a symphony of magical support, damage, and versatility, making them a compelling and powerful class in D&D. Master the bonus action, and you’ll elevate your bard from a simple performer to a true maestro of the battlefield.