A reaction is a unique action that each creature in combat can take when it's not their turn. The most common reaction is an "Attack of Opportunity", normally triggered by one creature moving out of melee range of a different creature without first taking the Disengage action.
Each creature can take 1 reaction per round. So let's say a Fighter and two Gnolls are in combat... Gnoll A tries to run away from the fighter, but it doesn't disengage first... and so the fighter uses their Reaction to make an Attack of Opportunity, swinging their sword to hit Gnoll A. After this point, Gnoll B can safely walk away from the Fighter without disengaging, because the Fighter already used their Reaction against Gnoll A. No matter what else happens, the Fighter cannot use their Reaction again until the start of their next turn.
It's even possible to take a Reaction on your own turn. This comes up fairly frequently with "Counterspell Tennis"... let's say a Wizard and a Sorcerer are fighting. On the Wizard's turn, they use their Action to cast Fireball. The nearby Sorcerer uses their Reaction during the Wizard's turn to cast Counterspell to stop the Fireball. But, the Wizard then uses their Reaction during their own turn to cast Counterspell as well, stopping the Sorcerer's Counterspell and letting the Fireball to be cast as normal.
AoO when someone leaves your area, you get an attack. People can't just run up to you and then back away. When they try, you get an attack as an reaction even though it is not your turn. Note, there are lots of ways to stop people from taking an AoO (Attack of Oppotunity). Feats, class skills, etc.
Ready Action: AKA "held action". You decide you want to do something when someone else does something. Typical example: I ready an attack whenever someone opens the door. You do NOT have to take it, but that means you waste your reaction. So if the bad guys open the door, you attack, but if it turns out to be your mother, you do not have to attack.
Spells: Most spells say they have a casting time of 1 Action. Others say Bonus Action. But a few spells say a casting time of "Reaction: when x happens". The most common two spells are "Absorb Elements" which gives you resistance to the weaker elemental attacks just before you are hit and "Shield" which gives you a bonus to AC when someone tries to attack you.
Reactions are a key part of the game, you need to understand them and let your players use them.
Note that the "1 Reaction per round" that TransmorpherDDS actually works by the Reaction becoming available at the START of a player's turn.
They can then use it once before the start of the their next turn.
This means that, if the situation permits, a PC could use Reaction twice in any particular combat round - once before the start of their turn (if they didn't use it in the previous round after their start of their turn in that round) and once after the start of their turn.
I tend to think of a round being "round". There is no set starting point but it ends when you get back to where you started. If you cast a spell like [Tooltip Not Found] the "round" events take place at the same point on the initiative order as when you cast the spell. A round does not have to be from the top of the initiative order to the top of the initiative order.
Back to reactions something to remember with reactions is they have to have a trigger, when the trigger happens if you still have your reation you can (not must) decide to use it:
An attack of opportunity: "You can make an opportunity attack when a hostile creature that you can see moves out of your reach."
Counterspell "which you take when you see a creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell "
Ready Action: "First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger your reaction. Then, you choose the action you will take in response to that trigger"
You can not cast counterspell if you can not see the other caster because in that case the trigger has not occurred
You can not say you will ready you action without specifying what that trigger is. If a player says my character will hold their action to attack the evil wizard with their crossbow if he comes within 30ft of me and the evil wizard summons a zombie which lurches towards the player character and attacks the PC can not attack the zombie because the trigger has not been met. The normal way round this is to say any hostile creature rather than a specific enemy but note that if instead they readied an action to attack any creature that came within 30ft that would also work: If a friendly character causes the trigger the player can choose not ot use their reaction to attack them so they still have their reaction and their action is still readied.
I am currently having the discussion with my players that if they take the Ready Action they have committed their Reaction to this and can't then use their reaction for something else.
Is this right or should they have the opportunity to change their Reaction to something else as the round unfolds? Obviously they would lose their held action or spell as per the description of Ready Action. It isn't clear about the Reaction being used up at time of declaration though.
I would add to this that DMs should in my opinion exercise their discretion when dealing with reactions.
Although Sage Advice claims that it is possible to counterspell a counterspell, I and many of my other DM friends do not run our tables that way...and it's perfectly legitmate. We tend to run the rule that you cannot react to a reaction. Otherwise you can get trapped in an insane tennis match of reactions that is fun when it happens once in a blue moon, but when it's happening every session gets very tiresome, very quick.
Rules as written in the Players Handbook don't explicitly state that reactions to reactions are possible, but nor does it disallow such rulings. I would highly suggest that until you're comfortable with reactions you only allow player characters to reaction to either actions, bonus actions or movement. It helps especially when less familair with D&D 5e.
@solvipants the ready action, in Basic Rules and Player's Handbook would use up a player's reaction - 'When the trigger occurs, you can either take your reaction right after the trigger finishes or ignore the trigger. Remember that you can take only one reaction per round.' (Basic Rules for Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) Fifth Edition (5e) - D&D Beyond (dndbeyond.com))
That said, I know some DMs who allow players to still use their reaction when using the ready action. That's your call, but rules as written, 'Ready' burns an action and a reaction effectively.
I am currently having the discussion with my players that if they take the Ready Action they have committed their Reaction to this and can't then use their reaction for something else.
Is this right or should they have the opportunity to change their Reaction to something else as the round unfolds? Obviously they would lose their held action or spell as per the description of Ready Action. It isn't clear about the Reaction being used up at time of declaration though.
Thanks for any help.
When a player Readies an action, they use the "Ready" action on their turn and declare what trigger they are waiting for. When that trigger occurs, they can then use their Reaction to activate their Readied action. However, if, before their trigger occurs, they find something else that they want to use their reaction for (making an attack of opportunity, casting a reaction spell, etc.), they have the option to do reactions other than their readied action. However, when they do, the held action is lost, and if thy were holding a spell the spell slot is still spent, even though they never actually cast the spell.
I am currently having the discussion with my players that if they take the Ready Action they have committed their Reaction to this and can't then use their reaction for something else.
Is this right or should they have the opportunity to change their Reaction to something else as the round unfolds? Obviously they would lose their held action or spell as per the description of Ready Action. It isn't clear about the Reaction being used up at time of declaration though.
Thanks for any help.
When a player Readies an action, they use the "Ready" action on their turn and declare what trigger they are waiting for. When that trigger occurs, they can then use their Reaction to activate their Readied action. However, if, before their trigger occurs, they find something else that they want to use their reaction for (making an attack of opportunity, casting a reaction spell, etc.), they have the option to do reactions other than their readied action. However, when they do, the held action is lost, and if thy were holding a spell the spell slot is still spent, even though they never actually cast the spell.
That is mostly correct. Characters can choose to use their reaction for anything during their turn. Readying an action on their turn gives the character another activity that can take their reaction. However, if another opportunity comes along that would take their reaction before their readied action they can use their reaction on that or if they choose to not use their reaction for their readied action then they still have their reaction to use on something else like an attack of opportunity.
Like bonus actions, characters only have a reaction if there is something specific that uses their reaction ... shield, counterspell, attack of opportunity ... but if nothing happens that would trigger a reaction that the character doesn't already have available then the character doesn't have a "reaction".
Finally, "even though they never actually cast the spell." is not correct. When a character readies a spell, it is fully cast with the spell energy waiting to be released. The caster uses concentration to maintain the Readied spell. If something breaks their concentration on the readied spell, the spell is lost. If the conditions for casting it stated in the Ready action don't happen, the spell is lost. If the character chooses to use their reaction for something other than the Ready action, the spell is lost. In addition, if an opponent wants to counterspell then this must take place on the character's turn when the spell is cast. You can't counterspell a Readied spell since it is already cast.
PHB Ready Action: "When you ready a spell, you cast it as normal but hold its energy, which you release with your reaction when the trigger occurs. To be readied, a spell must have a casting time of 1 action, and holding onto the spell’s magic requires concentration (explained in chapter 10). If your concentration is broken, the spell dissipates without taking effect. For example, if you are concentrating on the web spell and ready magic missile, your web spell ends, and if you take damage before you release magic missile with your reaction, your concentration might be broken."
But, where does it say every player gets a Reaction each round? Can someone cite the source that explicitly states every character gets a reaction every round?
The rule states "Certain special abilities, spells, and situations allow you to take a special action called a reaction. A reaction is an instant response to a trigger of some kind, which can occur on your turn or on someone else's." PHB pg 190. And the only rule that really states anything about creating a Trigger is the Ready action. PHB pg 193.
Here's my scenario; Character A has first initiative, swings weapon, does damage to monster. Monster turn, monster is attacking character B next to character A, character A is either using Paladin fighting style of Protection or the Feat of Interception, you pick, same question either way.
If the character used their Action to Attack and their bonus action for something else during the attack, where does it say they get a reaction outside of the Ready rule?
They way a lot of these things read, the reaction is something that is a given, but the rules are fairly clear; Action, Bonus Action, Ready (Reaction) and no defined given "Reaction" unless precipitated by a specific enemy action, like moving without Disengaging (Opportunity Attack). The words "your reaction" is really where I'm getting tripped.
I'm not trying to split hairs, but I do have a rules lawyer on occasion and I'd like it clear in my head.
Thanks!
Additional citations below;
PROTECTION - When a creature you can see attacks a target other than you that is within 5 feet of you, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll. You must be wielding a shield. PHB pg 84
INTERCEPTION - When a creature you can see hits a target, other than you, within 5 ft. of you with an attack, you can use your reaction to reduce the damage the target takes by 1d10+3 (to a minimum of 0 damage). You must be wielding a shield or a simple or martial weapon to use this reaction. TCoE pg 53
But, where does it say every player gets a Reaction each round? Can someone cite the source that explicitly states every character gets a reaction every round?
The rule states "Certain special abilities, spells, and situations allow you to take a special action called a reaction. A reaction is an instant response to a trigger of some kind, which can occur on your turn or on someone else's." PHB pg 190. And the only rule that really states anything about creating a Trigger is the Ready action. PHB pg 193.
Here's my scenario; Character A has first initiative, swings weapon, does damage to monster. Monster turn, monster is attacking character B next to character A, character A is either using Paladin fighting style of Protection or the Feat of Interception, you pick, same question either way.
If the character used their Action to Attack and their bonus action for something else during the attack, where does it say they get a reaction outside of the Ready rule?
They way a lot of these things read, the reaction is something that is a given, but the rules are fairly clear; Action, Bonus Action, Ready (Reaction) and no defined given "Reaction" unless precipitated by a specific enemy action, like moving without Disengaging (Opportunity Attack). The words "your reaction" is really where I'm getting tripped.
I'm not trying to split hairs, but I do have a rules lawyer on occasion and I'd like it clear in my head.
Thanks!
Additional citations below;
PROTECTION - When a creature you can see attacks a target other than you that is within 5 feet of you, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll. You must be wielding a shield. PHB pg 84
INTERCEPTION - When a creature you can see hits a target, other than you, within 5 ft. of you with an attack, you can use your reaction to reduce the damage the target takes by 1d10+3 (to a minimum of 0 damage). You must be wielding a shield or a simple or martial weapon to use this reaction. TCoE pg 53
No specific abilities gives you a reaction, it is a basic thing that everyone gets, just like how every character in the game, from commoner to Tiamat, can use an Attack action.
The difference is, like the bonus action, you can only use a reaction when an ability or spell TELLS you it can be done as a bonus action. So when wondering if something can be done as a reaction, search the ability text for the phrase "as a reaction."
Just like how a all bonus action abilities work be telling you that this can be done on a bonus action (e.g Cunning Action:
Starting at 2nd level, your quick thinking and agility allow you to move and act quickly. You can take a bonus action on each of your turns in combat. This action can be used only to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action...) a reaction is any ability that tells you it is one.
Some are spells (like Hellish Rebuke, which tells you it's cast time is 1 reaction), some are class-specific abilities (like Uncanny Dodge, which states that "Starting at 5th level, when an attacker that you can see hits you with an attack, you can use your reaction to halve the attack's damage against you").
Then there's a third type of reaction that is universal; not tied to any type of class, spell, race, or otherwise option. These are reactions that anyone can do, such as the Attack of Opportunity (which states "In a fight, everyone is constantly watching for a chance to strike an enemy who is fleeing or passing by. Such a strike is called an opportunity attack. You can make an opportunity attack when a hostile creature that you can see moves out of your reach. To make the opportunity attack, you use your reaction to make one melee attack against the provoking creature. The attack occurs right before the creature leaves your reach.
You can avoid provoking an opportunity attack by taking the Disengage action. You also don’t provoke an opportunity attack when you teleport or when someone or something moves you without using your movement, action, or reaction. For example, you don’t provoke an opportunity attack if an explosion hurls you out of a foe’s reach or if gravity causes you to fall past an enemy") or the Ready action (which states "Sometimes you want to get the jump on a foe or wait for a particular circumstance before you act. To do so, you can take the Ready action on your turn, which lets you act using your reaction before the start of your next turn.
First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger your reaction. Then, you choose the action you will take in response to that trigger, or you choose to move up to your speed in response to it. Examples include "If the cultist steps on the trapdoor, I'll pull the lever that opens it," and "If the goblin steps next to me, I move away."
When the trigger occurs, you can either take your reaction right after the trigger finishes or ignore the trigger. Remember that you can take only one reaction per round").
Long story short, nothing "gives" you a reaction, you already have it, just like how you have HP and stats and such. Certain abilities exist that let you use your reaction for different things. If in doubt about how these abilities work, simply read the descriptions, and they will tell you.
To answer your initial question, I think you might be misinterpreting what people mean when they say you "get" one reaction per round. Look at the next paragraph after the cited quote:
When you take a reaction, you can’t take another one until the start of your next turn.
(I am using a digital version of the PHB with no page numbers, but it's the section on the order of combat.)
What this means that every rule saying you can take a "reaction" is referring to the same resource, and using it once exhausts it until the next round. Or: Everybody gets no more than one reaction per round.
To answer your hypothetical, I think you are taking the word "trigger" to be a specific vocabulary word and thinking there's no trigger unless the rule says "trigger" exactly. But it just describes the fact that every reaction ability has circumstances which make it possible to use, like "When a creature you can see attacks a target other than you that is within 5 feet of you," and "When a creature you can see hits a target, other than you, within 5 ft. of you with an attack." I think the book would probably Capitalize or bold it or something if it were meant to be a term of art.
And think again about the description for Ready:
Sometimes you want to get the jump on a foe or wait for a particular circumstance before you act. To do so, you can take the Ready action on your turn, which lets you act using your reaction before the start of your next turn.
First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger your reaction. Then, you choose the action you will take in response to that trigger, or you choose to move up to your speed in response to it.
Ready is letting you do something that would normally be an action as a reaction instead, at the cost of not taking any other action on your turn. If all reaction abilities required the Ready action first, then they would just be actions.
"No specific abilities gives you a reaction," - Agreed, citing your first sentence.
And here is the heart of the matter; " it is a basic thing that everyone gets," - Where does it say this? (again, your first sentence).
"The difference is, like the bonus action, you can only use a reaction when an ability or spell TELLS you it can be done as a bonus action.So when wondering if something can be done as a reaction, search the ability text for the phrase "as a reaction." - Disagree, the exact text of the two abilities I quoted, make no mention of a bonus action, use of bonus action as a reaction or any such wording, they specifically state that you can use "your reaction" to do blah blah blah.
But where does it specifically say "you" get that reaction to use. The section on Your Turn is very clear; you get an Action and a Move and goes on to clearly define what an action is in later sections, two pages down, then the rules moves on to Bonus Actions, which also clearly defines the bonus action as something awarded via a "class feature, spell or other abilities" (PHB pg 189).
Again, please take this much more light-hearted than you may read it as, it is really hard to convey emotional tone in an all text block, I am genuinely seeking the hard rule about the award of a reaction to the character during the combat stream.
The second paragraph is part of the rule that is actually lending to my confusion. "When you take a reaction" Where is it given, so it can be taken? And yes, I agree to the idea that I'm seeing "trigger" as a vocabulary word, but synonyms would do in a pinch, but that isn't necessarily the heart of what I'm looking for. Every external source I've looked at; YouTubers videos, blog posts and Q&A forums (including here) all say that every character gets a reaction every round, but the rules don't say that, anywhere I can find and if they do, where?
The Ready action is crystal clear, the player takes the Ready action and defines what they're waiting for, then reacts. Claro! No questions here, this is an exceptionally clear exchange of the normal action for a reaction that can interrupt an opponents turn (and if the opponent survives, can continue their turn).
I'm starting to think that this has become a de facto standard rule of sorts and the awarding of the reaction is the implied granting of it via the first sentence of the second paragraph you have pointed out; "When you take a reaction, you can’t take another one until the start of your next turn." (PHB pg 190)
Just like bonus actions, reactions are a specific type of action available to a character IF they have an ability that allows them to use a Reaction. If a character has no abilities that grant then a reaction then they don't HAVE a reaction to take.
Reactions, just like bonus actions, are an action granted to a character based on a specific ability or condition. The timing of reactions is specified in the ability that GIVES the character a Reaction to take.
Opportunity attack - Reaction allowed when a creature leaves your reach - effect granted: the option to make a melee attack.
Shield spell - Reaction allowed when a creature hits the character with an attack - effect granted: when cast, the character's AC increases by 5 until the start of the character's next turn.
Without a special ability that GIVES the character a Reaction - they don't have one. This is why there is no statement that "Every character has a reaction" because they don't. Each individual circumstance allows the characters to take a special kind of action called a reaction when the conditions are met. If they qualify for more than one reaction, they can only take one since they can't take another reaction until the start of their next turn. Once a character uses an ability that requires a reaction, they can't use another. So if a character is presented with an opportunity attack and decide to use it, they can react to the trigger but any other abilities they have that could also give them a reaction are unavailable until the start of their next turn.
Tasha's has a paragraph on reaction timing:
"Reaction Timing
Certain game features let you take a special action, called a reaction, in response to an event. Making opportunity attacks and casting the shield spell are two typical uses of reactions. If you’re unsure when a reaction occurs in relation to its trigger, here’s the rule: the reaction happens after its trigger, unless the description of the reaction explicitly says otherwise. Once you take a reaction, you can’t take another one until the start of your next turn."
This paragraph clearly defines that a REACTION is a special action that is triggered in response to an event and it is granted by certain game features. If you don't have access to those game features, you don't have a reaction to take.
Some magic items and spells use slightly different wording stating that a creature may use "it's reaction" ... since the use of any reaction prevents the use of another reaction until the start of their next turn, it is easier to use this wording that to say that the spell gives them a reaction that they may choose to use in response to the trigger.
Tasha's Mind Whip - " it can’t take a reaction until the end of its next turn."
The READY action also explicitly uses "your reaction".
"Ready
Sometimes you want to get the jump on a foe or wait for a particular circumstance before you act. To do so, you can take the Ready action on your turn, which lets you act using your reaction before the start of your next turn.
First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger your reaction. Then, you choose the action you will take in response to that trigger, or you choose to move up to your speed in response to it. Examples include "If the cultist steps on the trapdoor, I'll pull the lever that opens it," and "If the goblin steps next to me, I move away."
When the trigger occurs, you can either take your reaction right after the trigger finishes or ignore the trigger. Remember that you can take only one reaction per round."
However, by TAKING the READY action, the character GIVES themselves a Reaction that they may use later in the turn. If they don't take the Ready action, then that specific Reaction is unavailable - they don't have it.
Reactions are specific actions granted to the character by specific game features. If you don't have or use those features, you don't have a reaction, which is why there is no rule stating everyone has a reaction - because they DO NOT have a reaction unless something specifically gives them one to take.
The second paragraph is part of the rule that is actually lending to my confusion. "When you take a reaction" Where is it given, so it can be taken?
I think this is probably the key point of confusion here; you're stuck on two different meanings of the word "take". You're correct that the most common use of the word take, as in the phrase "Take this book", requires that something be given. This is like the verb "tomar" in Spanish, which I'm going to guess you're familiar with from your use of the word "Claro!". However, in the sentence "Take a reaction", the word take instead means simply "to do", like the verb "hacer" in Spanish.
You can see that the same language is used when the rules tell you that you can "take one action" and that some features allow you to "take... a bonus action". Nothing strictly "gives" you an action, bonus action, or reaction as such; rather, the features you have define the ways you can use an action, bonus action, or reaction.
I know mostly understand a turn and round of combat. But a few of my players keep asking to use their reaction. What do I do?
A reaction is a unique action that each creature in combat can take when it's not their turn. The most common reaction is an "Attack of Opportunity", normally triggered by one creature moving out of melee range of a different creature without first taking the Disengage action.
Each creature can take 1 reaction per round. So let's say a Fighter and two Gnolls are in combat... Gnoll A tries to run away from the fighter, but it doesn't disengage first... and so the fighter uses their Reaction to make an Attack of Opportunity, swinging their sword to hit Gnoll A. After this point, Gnoll B can safely walk away from the Fighter without disengaging, because the Fighter already used their Reaction against Gnoll A. No matter what else happens, the Fighter cannot use their Reaction again until the start of their next turn.
It's even possible to take a Reaction on your own turn. This comes up fairly frequently with "Counterspell Tennis"... let's say a Wizard and a Sorcerer are fighting. On the Wizard's turn, they use their Action to cast Fireball. The nearby Sorcerer uses their Reaction during the Wizard's turn to cast Counterspell to stop the Fireball. But, the Wizard then uses their Reaction during their own turn to cast Counterspell as well, stopping the Sorcerer's Counterspell and letting the Fireball to be cast as normal.
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Typical Reactions:
Reactions are a key part of the game, you need to understand them and let your players use them.
Now im in the clear! Thanks! The wizard example sounds pretty funny
Ohhhh! Nice examples, Thanks :)
Note that the "1 Reaction per round" that TransmorpherDDS actually works by the Reaction becoming available at the START of a player's turn.
They can then use it once before the start of the their next turn.
This means that, if the situation permits, a PC could use Reaction twice in any particular combat round - once before the start of their turn (if they didn't use it in the previous round after their start of their turn in that round) and once after the start of their turn.
That's a good point... saying "1 reaction per round" is how it's commonly described, but it's really more like, "1 reaction per turn".
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In fact, if you are a 17th level Rogue (Thief) you get two full turns in the first round of combat, allowing for 3 reactions in a single round.
I tend to think of a round being "round". There is no set starting point but it ends when you get back to where you started. If you cast a spell like [Tooltip Not Found] the "round" events take place at the same point on the initiative order as when you cast the spell. A round does not have to be from the top of the initiative order to the top of the initiative order.
Back to reactions something to remember with reactions is they have to have a trigger, when the trigger happens if you still have your reation you can (not must) decide to use it:
You can not cast counterspell if you can not see the other caster because in that case the trigger has not occurred
You can not say you will ready you action without specifying what that trigger is. If a player says my character will hold their action to attack the evil wizard with their crossbow if he comes within 30ft of me and the evil wizard summons a zombie which lurches towards the player character and attacks the PC can not attack the zombie because the trigger has not been met. The normal way round this is to say any hostile creature rather than a specific enemy but note that if instead they readied an action to attack any creature that came within 30ft that would also work: If a friendly character causes the trigger the player can choose not ot use their reaction to attack them so they still have their reaction and their action is still readied.
I am currently having the discussion with my players that if they take the Ready Action they have committed their Reaction to this and can't then use their reaction for something else.
Is this right or should they have the opportunity to change their Reaction to something else as the round unfolds? Obviously they would lose their held action or spell as per the description of Ready Action. It isn't clear about the Reaction being used up at time of declaration though.
Thanks for any help.
I would add to this that DMs should in my opinion exercise their discretion when dealing with reactions.
Although Sage Advice claims that it is possible to counterspell a counterspell, I and many of my other DM friends do not run our tables that way...and it's perfectly legitmate. We tend to run the rule that you cannot react to a reaction. Otherwise you can get trapped in an insane tennis match of reactions that is fun when it happens once in a blue moon, but when it's happening every session gets very tiresome, very quick.
Rules as written in the Players Handbook don't explicitly state that reactions to reactions are possible, but nor does it disallow such rulings. I would highly suggest that until you're comfortable with reactions you only allow player characters to reaction to either actions, bonus actions or movement. It helps especially when less familair with D&D 5e.
@solvipants the ready action, in Basic Rules and Player's Handbook would use up a player's reaction - 'When the trigger occurs, you can either take your reaction right after the trigger finishes or ignore the trigger. Remember that you can take only one reaction per round.' (Basic Rules for Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) Fifth Edition (5e) - D&D Beyond (dndbeyond.com))
That said, I know some DMs who allow players to still use their reaction when using the ready action. That's your call, but rules as written, 'Ready' burns an action and a reaction effectively.
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When a player Readies an action, they use the "Ready" action on their turn and declare what trigger they are waiting for. When that trigger occurs, they can then use their Reaction to activate their Readied action. However, if, before their trigger occurs, they find something else that they want to use their reaction for (making an attack of opportunity, casting a reaction spell, etc.), they have the option to do reactions other than their readied action. However, when they do, the held action is lost, and if thy were holding a spell the spell slot is still spent, even though they never actually cast the spell.
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That is mostly correct. Characters can choose to use their reaction for anything during their turn. Readying an action on their turn gives the character another activity that can take their reaction. However, if another opportunity comes along that would take their reaction before their readied action they can use their reaction on that or if they choose to not use their reaction for their readied action then they still have their reaction to use on something else like an attack of opportunity.
Like bonus actions, characters only have a reaction if there is something specific that uses their reaction ... shield, counterspell, attack of opportunity ... but if nothing happens that would trigger a reaction that the character doesn't already have available then the character doesn't have a "reaction".
Finally, "even though they never actually cast the spell." is not correct. When a character readies a spell, it is fully cast with the spell energy waiting to be released. The caster uses concentration to maintain the Readied spell. If something breaks their concentration on the readied spell, the spell is lost. If the conditions for casting it stated in the Ready action don't happen, the spell is lost. If the character chooses to use their reaction for something other than the Ready action, the spell is lost. In addition, if an opponent wants to counterspell then this must take place on the character's turn when the spell is cast. You can't counterspell a Readied spell since it is already cast.
PHB Ready Action: "When you ready a spell, you cast it as normal but hold its energy, which you release with your reaction when the trigger occurs. To be readied, a spell must have a casting time of 1 action, and holding onto the spell’s magic requires concentration (explained in chapter 10). If your concentration is broken, the spell dissipates without taking effect. For example, if you are concentrating on the web spell and ready magic missile, your web spell ends, and if you take damage before you release magic missile with your reaction, your concentration might be broken."
But, where does it say every player gets a Reaction each round? Can someone cite the source that explicitly states every character gets a reaction every round?
The rule states "Certain special abilities, spells, and situations allow you to take a special action called a reaction. A reaction is an instant response to a trigger of some kind, which can occur on your turn or on someone else's." PHB pg 190. And the only rule that really states anything about creating a Trigger is the Ready action. PHB pg 193.
Here's my scenario; Character A has first initiative, swings weapon, does damage to monster. Monster turn, monster is attacking character B next to character A, character A is either using Paladin fighting style of Protection or the Feat of Interception, you pick, same question either way.
If the character used their Action to Attack and their bonus action for something else during the attack, where does it say they get a reaction outside of the Ready rule?
They way a lot of these things read, the reaction is something that is a given, but the rules are fairly clear; Action, Bonus Action, Ready (Reaction) and no defined given "Reaction" unless precipitated by a specific enemy action, like moving without Disengaging (Opportunity Attack). The words "your reaction" is really where I'm getting tripped.
I'm not trying to split hairs, but I do have a rules lawyer on occasion and I'd like it clear in my head.
Thanks!
Additional citations below;
PROTECTION - When a creature you can see attacks a target other than you that is within 5 feet of you, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll. You must be wielding a shield. PHB pg 84
INTERCEPTION - When a creature you can see hits a target, other than you, within 5 ft. of you with an attack, you can use your reaction to reduce the damage the target takes by 1d10+3 (to a minimum of 0 damage). You must be wielding a shield or a simple or martial weapon to use this reaction. TCoE pg 53
No specific abilities gives you a reaction, it is a basic thing that everyone gets, just like how every character in the game, from commoner to Tiamat, can use an Attack action.
The difference is, like the bonus action, you can only use a reaction when an ability or spell TELLS you it can be done as a bonus action. So when wondering if something can be done as a reaction, search the ability text for the phrase "as a reaction."
Just like how a all bonus action abilities work be telling you that this can be done on a bonus action (e.g Cunning Action:
Starting at 2nd level, your quick thinking and agility allow you to move and act quickly. You can take a bonus action on each of your turns in combat. This action can be used only to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action...) a reaction is any ability that tells you it is one.
Some are spells (like Hellish Rebuke, which tells you it's cast time is 1 reaction), some are class-specific abilities (like Uncanny Dodge, which states that "Starting at 5th level, when an attacker that you can see hits you with an attack, you can use your reaction to halve the attack's damage against you").
Then there's a third type of reaction that is universal; not tied to any type of class, spell, race, or otherwise option. These are reactions that anyone can do, such as the Attack of Opportunity (which states "In a fight, everyone is constantly watching for a chance to strike an enemy who is fleeing or passing by. Such a strike is called an opportunity attack.
You can make an opportunity attack when a hostile creature that you can see moves out of your reach. To make the opportunity attack, you use your reaction to make one melee attack against the provoking creature. The attack occurs right before the creature leaves your reach.
You can avoid provoking an opportunity attack by taking the Disengage action. You also don’t provoke an opportunity attack when you teleport or when someone or something moves you without using your movement, action, or reaction. For example, you don’t provoke an opportunity attack if an explosion hurls you out of a foe’s reach or if gravity causes you to fall past an enemy") or the Ready action (which states "Sometimes you want to get the jump on a foe or wait for a particular circumstance before you act. To do so, you can take the Ready action on your turn, which lets you act using your reaction before the start of your next turn.
First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger your reaction. Then, you choose the action you will take in response to that trigger, or you choose to move up to your speed in response to it. Examples include "If the cultist steps on the trapdoor, I'll pull the lever that opens it," and "If the goblin steps next to me, I move away."
When the trigger occurs, you can either take your reaction right after the trigger finishes or ignore the trigger. Remember that you can take only one reaction per round").
Long story short, nothing "gives" you a reaction, you already have it, just like how you have HP and stats and such. Certain abilities exist that let you use your reaction for different things. If in doubt about how these abilities work, simply read the descriptions, and they will tell you.
To answer your initial question, I think you might be misinterpreting what people mean when they say you "get" one reaction per round. Look at the next paragraph after the cited quote:
(I am using a digital version of the PHB with no page numbers, but it's the section on the order of combat.)
What this means that every rule saying you can take a "reaction" is referring to the same resource, and using it once exhausts it until the next round. Or: Everybody gets no more than one reaction per round.
To answer your hypothetical, I think you are taking the word "trigger" to be a specific vocabulary word and thinking there's no trigger unless the rule says "trigger" exactly. But it just describes the fact that every reaction ability has circumstances which make it possible to use, like "When a creature you can see attacks a target other than you that is within 5 feet of you," and "When a creature you can see hits a target, other than you, within 5 ft. of you with an attack." I think the book would probably Capitalize or bold it or something if it were meant to be a term of art.
And think again about the description for Ready:
Ready is letting you do something that would normally be an action as a reaction instead, at the cost of not taking any other action on your turn. If all reaction abilities required the Ready action first, then they would just be actions.
Medium humanoid (human), lawful neutral
@CharlesThePlant
"No specific abilities gives you a reaction," - Agreed, citing your first sentence.
And here is the heart of the matter; " it is a basic thing that everyone gets," - Where does it say this? (again, your first sentence).
"The difference is, like the bonus action, you can only use a reaction when an ability or spell TELLS you it can be done as a bonus action. So when wondering if something can be done as a reaction, search the ability text for the phrase "as a reaction." - Disagree, the exact text of the two abilities I quoted, make no mention of a bonus action, use of bonus action as a reaction or any such wording, they specifically state that you can use "your reaction" to do blah blah blah.
But where does it specifically say "you" get that reaction to use. The section on Your Turn is very clear; you get an Action and a Move and goes on to clearly define what an action is in later sections, two pages down, then the rules moves on to Bonus Actions, which also clearly defines the bonus action as something awarded via a "class feature, spell or other abilities" (PHB pg 189).
Again, please take this much more light-hearted than you may read it as, it is really hard to convey emotional tone in an all text block, I am genuinely seeking the hard rule about the award of a reaction to the character during the combat stream.
@BatJamags
The second paragraph is part of the rule that is actually lending to my confusion. "When you take a reaction" Where is it given, so it can be taken? And yes, I agree to the idea that I'm seeing "trigger" as a vocabulary word, but synonyms would do in a pinch, but that isn't necessarily the heart of what I'm looking for. Every external source I've looked at; YouTubers videos, blog posts and Q&A forums (including here) all say that every character gets a reaction every round, but the rules don't say that, anywhere I can find and if they do, where?
The Ready action is crystal clear, the player takes the Ready action and defines what they're waiting for, then reacts. Claro! No questions here, this is an exceptionally clear exchange of the normal action for a reaction that can interrupt an opponents turn (and if the opponent survives, can continue their turn).
I'm starting to think that this has become a de facto standard rule of sorts and the awarding of the reaction is the implied granting of it via the first sentence of the second paragraph you have pointed out; "When you take a reaction, you can’t take another one until the start of your next turn." (PHB pg 190)
Just like bonus actions, reactions are a specific type of action available to a character IF they have an ability that allows them to use a Reaction. If a character has no abilities that grant then a reaction then they don't HAVE a reaction to take.
Reactions, just like bonus actions, are an action granted to a character based on a specific ability or condition. The timing of reactions is specified in the ability that GIVES the character a Reaction to take.
Opportunity attack - Reaction allowed when a creature leaves your reach - effect granted: the option to make a melee attack.
Shield spell - Reaction allowed when a creature hits the character with an attack - effect granted: when cast, the character's AC increases by 5 until the start of the character's next turn.
Without a special ability that GIVES the character a Reaction - they don't have one. This is why there is no statement that "Every character has a reaction" because they don't. Each individual circumstance allows the characters to take a special kind of action called a reaction when the conditions are met. If they qualify for more than one reaction, they can only take one since they can't take another reaction until the start of their next turn. Once a character uses an ability that requires a reaction, they can't use another. So if a character is presented with an opportunity attack and decide to use it, they can react to the trigger but any other abilities they have that could also give them a reaction are unavailable until the start of their next turn.
Tasha's has a paragraph on reaction timing:
"Reaction Timing
Certain game features let you take a special action, called a reaction, in response to an event. Making opportunity attacks and casting the shield spell are two typical uses of reactions. If you’re unsure when a reaction occurs in relation to its trigger, here’s the rule: the reaction happens after its trigger, unless the description of the reaction explicitly says otherwise. Once you take a reaction, you can’t take another one until the start of your next turn."
This paragraph clearly defines that a REACTION is a special action that is triggered in response to an event and it is granted by certain game features. If you don't have access to those game features, you don't have a reaction to take.
Some magic items and spells use slightly different wording stating that a creature may use "it's reaction" ... since the use of any reaction prevents the use of another reaction until the start of their next turn, it is easier to use this wording that to say that the spell gives them a reaction that they may choose to use in response to the trigger.
Tasha's Mind Whip - " it can’t take a reaction until the end of its next turn."
The READY action also explicitly uses "your reaction".
"Ready
Sometimes you want to get the jump on a foe or wait for a particular circumstance before you act. To do so, you can take the Ready action on your turn, which lets you act using your reaction before the start of your next turn.
First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger your reaction. Then, you choose the action you will take in response to that trigger, or you choose to move up to your speed in response to it. Examples include "If the cultist steps on the trapdoor, I'll pull the lever that opens it," and "If the goblin steps next to me, I move away."
When the trigger occurs, you can either take your reaction right after the trigger finishes or ignore the trigger. Remember that you can take only one reaction per round."
However, by TAKING the READY action, the character GIVES themselves a Reaction that they may use later in the turn. If they don't take the Ready action, then that specific Reaction is unavailable - they don't have it.
Reactions are specific actions granted to the character by specific game features. If you don't have or use those features, you don't have a reaction, which is why there is no rule stating everyone has a reaction - because they DO NOT have a reaction unless something specifically gives them one to take.
Does that help clear it up?
I think this is probably the key point of confusion here; you're stuck on two different meanings of the word "take". You're correct that the most common use of the word take, as in the phrase "Take this book", requires that something be given. This is like the verb "tomar" in Spanish, which I'm going to guess you're familiar with from your use of the word "Claro!". However, in the sentence "Take a reaction", the word take instead means simply "to do", like the verb "hacer" in Spanish.
You can see that the same language is used when the rules tell you that you can "take one action" and that some features allow you to "take... a bonus action". Nothing strictly "gives" you an action, bonus action, or reaction as such; rather, the features you have define the ways you can use an action, bonus action, or reaction.