Initiative is an ability check, or so I've learned. Ability checks can be enhanced by inspiration.
So, here's the deal. Dwarf fighter in party is feeling inferior because he never seems to win at initiative... And now he learned that maybe Bardic inspiration could give him an edge.
My problem, as DM, is that Bardic inspiration is given as a bonus action. A bonus action happens on your turn. Your turn is determined by initiative order. So it's too late!
Am I understanding this wrong? Is there a workaround for my grumpy dwarf player?
No action in combat (normal or bonus) is restricted to the combat mechanics.
Combat mechanics is just a way to play it fair as a game, it is not something existing on its own in a D&D world. You can certainly cast Healing Word outside combat, as well as use Bardic Inspiration.
Using Ready outside of combat would circumvent initiative and surprise. Taking the Dodge action outside of combat would let players always have advantage on dexterity saves. Non-combat movement has its own rules, so Dash isn't relevant either.
The rest (attacking objects, casting spells, using objects, hiding, searching, helping with ability checks) are implicitly or explicitly mentioned as things you can do outside of combat in the Using Ability Scores or Adventuring chapters.
That said if some game feature isn't in the Combat chapter and its rules don't say it has to be used in combat, it can be used outside of combat. The rules mention it costs an action/bonus action/reaction so you know what it costs in combat and that it can't be done more than once per 6 seconds (the approximate duration of a round).
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Initiative is an ability check, or so I've learned. Ability checks can be enhanced by inspiration.
So, here's the deal. Dwarf fighter in party is feeling inferior because he never seems to win at initiative... And now he learned that maybe Bardic inspiration could give him an edge.
My problem, as DM, is that Bardic inspiration is given as a bonus action. A bonus action happens on your turn. Your turn is determined by initiative order. So it's too late!
Am I understanding this wrong? Is there a workaround for my grumpy dwarf player?
Nothing forbids the bard to use Bardic Inspiration before the Combat, i.e. before the Initiative is rolled.
I think it's the "bonus action" in the description that throws me. Makes me think you're in combat specifically.
No action in combat (normal or bonus) is restricted to the combat mechanics.
Combat mechanics is just a way to play it fair as a game, it is not something existing on its own in a D&D world. You can certainly cast Healing Word outside combat, as well as use Bardic Inspiration.
Yeah, I guess you could unleash a fireball at the tree out the window if it's obstructing the view, even if there isn't combat taking place.
Makes sense.