Can a multiclass character such as a Bard/Fighter cast a spell and still melee attack? Specifically, a College of Swords bard and can use the weapon as a spell focus?
It highly depends on the makeup of your character levels but reasonably you cannot cast an action spell and attack action with the same action. If you want small work arounds
Booming blade or green flame blade lets you make a melee attack as part of the action to cast the cantrip
Being hasted lets you get one melee attack in as a haste action
Using a bonus action spell lets you attack with your regular action, IE misty step or using your bardic inspiration
Fighter action surge will let you have two actions which lets you attack and then cast a spell with the second action.
Yes you can use your simple or martial weapon as a spellcasting focus, but that does not remove only having one action a turn. Small note, make sure you have a hand free for somatic components if you use weapon and shield but lack war caster.
Also there is a level 7 feature for eldritch knight that lets you cast a cantrip, then weapon attack as a bonus action.
Thanks, I was thinking more when your high enough level where you have 2 attacks. Such as make a melee attack then cast a spell such as desonate whispers which is vocal only type spell.
Getting to a level where you have two attacks does not grant you two actions. Attack is a subcategory of action. You have one action. If you take the attack action, you get attacks. If you choose to cast a spell, that spell, with a few exceptions outlined above, is your action.
And a lot of the 5e spell system is integrates with action economy for balance reasons. So for example Healing Word can be a bonus action, but Dissonant Whispers definitely shouldn't be.
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Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Yeah now that I see where you're going its a bit easier to see what you wanted. Action surge is by and large the GREATEST ability a class has in 5E because its so versatile and allows spellcasters to get off two spells in a single turn, you can totally do your combo now if you're level 2 fighter and use dissonant whispers to proc an opportunity attack if they leave your range after attacking them with your regular action. If you want one last idea, bladesinger wizards at level six get to exchange an extra attack with a cantrip spell, but as far as I know that is the only class feature besides Eldritch knight that allows spellcasting and melee attacks in a single turn. aside from utilizing bonus action spells.
Can a multiclass character such as a Bard/Fighter cast a spell and still melee attack? Specifically, a College of Swords bard and can use the weapon as a spell focus?
It highly depends on the makeup of your character levels but reasonably you cannot cast an action spell and attack action with the same action. If you want small work arounds
Yes you can use your simple or martial weapon as a spellcasting focus, but that does not remove only having one action a turn. Small note, make sure you have a hand free for somatic components if you use weapon and shield but lack war caster.
Also there is a level 7 feature for eldritch knight that lets you cast a cantrip, then weapon attack as a bonus action.
Hope this helps
Thanks, I was thinking more when your high enough level where you have 2 attacks. Such as make a melee attack then cast a spell such as desonate whispers which is vocal only type spell.
Getting to a level where you have two attacks does not grant you two actions. Attack is a subcategory of action. You have one action. If you take the attack action, you get attacks. If you choose to cast a spell, that spell, with a few exceptions outlined above, is your action.
And a lot of the 5e spell system is integrates with action economy for balance reasons. So for example Healing Word can be a bonus action, but Dissonant Whispers definitely shouldn't be.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Yeah now that I see where you're going its a bit easier to see what you wanted. Action surge is by and large the GREATEST ability a class has in 5E because its so versatile and allows spellcasters to get off two spells in a single turn, you can totally do your combo now if you're level 2 fighter and use dissonant whispers to proc an opportunity attack if they leave your range after attacking them with your regular action. If you want one last idea, bladesinger wizards at level six get to exchange an extra attack with a cantrip spell, but as far as I know that is the only class feature besides Eldritch knight that allows spellcasting and melee attacks in a single turn. aside from utilizing bonus action spells.
Coolios thanks for the answers. I appreciate it.