I am new to paladin and new to playing a caster, so in preparing my paladin, I have a question regarding their spells that can only be cast as a bonus action (Compelled Duel, Divine Favor, Searing Smite, Shield of Faith, etc., etc.)
According to PHB, a bonus action is only allowed as a direct consequence of "a special ability, spell, or other feature of the game states that you can do something as a bonus action". So, I guess my question is - what inherent skills within the Paladin class permit a bonus action? I only play a rogue, so I am used to the Cunning Action skill that permits a bonus action every turn. But, for paladin, I can't see anything that actually triggers a bonus action.
As Stormknight says. The principle is, you cast the "Smite" spell as a bonus action, and then use your action to strike and try to apply the effect, or you otherwise cast the spell and it doesn't cost you your action. You don't need anything else to trigger the bonus action - all you need is something that actually uses a bonus action, which not every class has necessarily.
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I am new to paladin and new to playing a caster, so in preparing my paladin, I have a question regarding their spells that can only be cast as a bonus action (Compelled Duel, Divine Favor, Searing Smite, Shield of Faith, etc., etc.)
According to PHB, a bonus action is only allowed as a direct consequence of "a special ability, spell, or other feature of the game states that you can do something as a bonus action". So, I guess my question is - what inherent skills within the Paladin class permit a bonus action? I only play a rogue, so I am used to the Cunning Action skill that permits a bonus action every turn. But, for paladin, I can't see anything that actually triggers a bonus action.
Hi SeaAg98,
you're right about bonus actions only being available where a feature grants the ability to use one.
In this case, casting a spell as a bonus action is a fundamental part of the spellcasting rules for 5th edition.
In short - the feature that allows using your bonus action to cast a spell is "having a spell prepared that uses your bonus action to cast"
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As Stormknight says. The principle is, you cast the "Smite" spell as a bonus action, and then use your action to strike and try to apply the effect, or you otherwise cast the spell and it doesn't cost you your action. You don't need anything else to trigger the bonus action - all you need is something that actually uses a bonus action, which not every class has necessarily.
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile.