Some spells and class features take a Bonus Action. This is specified in the text of the spell or feature. (Example: Healing Word Spell, the bard feature Bardic Inspiration)
Attacks of Opportunity as well as some spells, and class features take a reaction (once again specified in the text of the spell or feature.) These can be used regardless of whose turn it is assuming the trigger happens but only once per turn you get. https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/combat#YourTurn
Anything that takes an Action can only be done using an action, Anything that says it takes a bonus action can only be done with a bonus action, Anything that takes a reaction can only be done as a reaction.
During your turn you can move, take one action and one bonus action, with certain abilities modifying that. Bonus actions require special conditions to trigger them, though most characters are built to trigger them frequently.
So basically: you get one each of movement (can be broken up), action, bonus action, reaction, and item interaction. Only reaction can be used when it isn't your turn. The only bonus action you have by default is 2 weapon fighting (not to be confused with the fighting style of the same name), the only reaction you have by default is opportunity attacks. Noksa linked actions. And item interactions are somewhat self explanatory but here is a list of examples.
Every racial trait, class feature, spell, feat, or item will tell you what kind of action it requires (if any). You can't use 1 type of action to substitute a different action type (you can't perform a bonus action as an action for example).
You MAY also have ONE bonus action IF you have any abilities that allow you to use a bonus action for them (some special character abilities and some spells require a bonus action)
You MAY also have ONE reaction IF the circumstances that would trigger the specific use of a reaction come up. There are reaction spells (shield and counterspell for example) and other activities like an attack of opportunity, or taking a Readied Action that use your reaction.
A bonus action is NOT an extra action. The things that you can do for your action -
e.g.
Attack Action
Cast a Spell Action
Hide Action
Dash Action
Disengage Action
Search Action
Dodge Action
Ready Action
... can NOT be done as a bonus action unless a special feature of your character allows it.
For example a level 2 rogue has the Cunning Action ability that allows a rogue character (and ONLY that character) to take the Hide, Disengage or Dash actions as a bonus action (they can also be used for the character's regular action if they wish so a level 2 rogue can take the Dash action twice on their turn in addition to moving for example - once as their action, once as their bonus action AND they have their regular movement on top of those.
In general, a character can take a bonus action ONLY if they have a special feature or spell that specifically says it requires a bonus action to use.
You MAY also have ONE bonus action IF you have any abilities that allow you to use a bonus action for them (some special character abilities and some spells require a bonus action)
Yeah, the rules do say that. The rules also say that every character has the 2WF bonus action and the OA reaction, which directly contradicts that. Everyone also gets 1 item interaction which does not use any kind of action.
The rules are inconsistent is my point and in the long run I figure it is less confusing to just not mention the incorrect rules in the book, and just summarize the complete information.
But yes, according to the rules, you technically only have a bonus action or reaction if something specifically gives you one (which the basic rules themselves do). (And note, I'm not being condescending toward you, David. I'm being condescending toward the rules and their writers.)
The rules aren't actually inconsistent. You always have a movement, an action, a bonus action, and a reaction every round. It's just that most characters don't have the ability to make use of the bonus action or reaction without a race or class feature.
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Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Yeah, the rules do say that. The rules also say that every character has the 2WF bonus action and the OA reaction, which directly contradicts that...But yes, according to the rules, you technically only have a bonus action or reaction if something specifically gives you one (which the basic rules themselves do).
Technically no one has the two-weapon fighting bonus action until they're holding two light melee weapons and take the Attack action with one of them. Similar reasoning applies to reactions.
I guess while we're delving into minutiae, keep in mind that interacting with an object is something you do as part of your movement or action. If you're unable to do both (e.g. you're paralyzed) you can't interact with objects either even though it's "free."
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Can someone explain actions and bonus actions? Example: do you get a extra action in addition to your normal action in a turn?
Every turn you Have movement, one action, one Bonus Action, and one Reaction.
Most things you can do take an action (https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/combat#ActionsinCombat)
Some spells and class features take a Bonus Action. This is specified in the text of the spell or feature. (Example: Healing Word Spell, the bard feature Bardic Inspiration)
Attacks of Opportunity as well as some spells, and class features take a reaction (once again specified in the text of the spell or feature.) These can be used regardless of whose turn it is assuming the trigger happens but only once per turn you get. https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/combat#YourTurn
Anything that takes an Action can only be done using an action, Anything that says it takes a bonus action can only be done with a bonus action, Anything that takes a reaction can only be done as a reaction.
During your turn you can move, take one action and one bonus action, with certain abilities modifying that. Bonus actions require special conditions to trigger them, though most characters are built to trigger them frequently.
So basically: you get one each of movement (can be broken up), action, bonus action, reaction, and item interaction. Only reaction can be used when it isn't your turn. The only bonus action you have by default is 2 weapon fighting (not to be confused with the fighting style of the same name), the only reaction you have by default is opportunity attacks. Noksa linked actions. And item interactions are somewhat self explanatory but here is a list of examples.
Every racial trait, class feature, spell, feat, or item will tell you what kind of action it requires (if any). You can't use 1 type of action to substitute a different action type (you can't perform a bonus action as an action for example).
Just to add some more info :)
On your turn you get ONE action and you can move.
That is all.
You MAY also have ONE bonus action IF you have any abilities that allow you to use a bonus action for them (some special character abilities and some spells require a bonus action)
You MAY also have ONE reaction IF the circumstances that would trigger the specific use of a reaction come up. There are reaction spells (shield and counterspell for example) and other activities like an attack of opportunity, or taking a Readied Action that use your reaction.
A bonus action is NOT an extra action. The things that you can do for your action -
e.g.
Attack Action
Cast a Spell Action
Hide Action
Dash Action
Disengage Action
Search Action
Dodge Action
Ready Action
... can NOT be done as a bonus action unless a special feature of your character allows it.
For example a level 2 rogue has the Cunning Action ability that allows a rogue character (and ONLY that character) to take the Hide, Disengage or Dash actions as a bonus action (they can also be used for the character's regular action if they wish so a level 2 rogue can take the Dash action twice on their turn in addition to moving for example - once as their action, once as their bonus action AND they have their regular movement on top of those.
In general, a character can take a bonus action ONLY if they have a special feature or spell that specifically says it requires a bonus action to use.
Yeah, the rules do say that. The rules also say that every character has the 2WF bonus action and the OA reaction, which directly contradicts that. Everyone also gets 1 item interaction which does not use any kind of action.
The rules are inconsistent is my point and in the long run I figure it is less confusing to just not mention the incorrect rules in the book, and just summarize the complete information.
But yes, according to the rules, you technically only have a bonus action or reaction if something specifically gives you one (which the basic rules themselves do). (And note, I'm not being condescending toward you, David. I'm being condescending toward the rules and their writers.)
The rules aren't actually inconsistent. You always have a movement, an action, a bonus action, and a reaction every round. It's just that most characters don't have the ability to make use of the bonus action or reaction without a race or class feature.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Technically no one has the two-weapon fighting bonus action until they're holding two light melee weapons and take the Attack action with one of them. Similar reasoning applies to reactions.
I guess while we're delving into minutiae, keep in mind that interacting with an object is something you do as part of your movement or action. If you're unable to do both (e.g. you're paralyzed) you can't interact with objects either even though it's "free."