Once on each of your turns, you can cause the swarm to assist you in one of the following ways, immediately after you hit a creature with an attack:
The attack’s target takes 1d6 piercing damage from the swarm.
The attack’s target must succeed on a Strength saving throw against your spell save DC or be moved by the swarm up to 15 feet horizontally in a direction of your choice.
You are moved by the swarm 5 feet horizontally in a direction of your choice.
My question is, does the swarm assist you instead of doing the damage for your attack? Or is it as well as? And if so how could I justify/legitimise it with the above to my DM? Thanks.
Once on each of your turns, you can cause the swarm to assist you in one of the following ways, immediately after you hit a creature with an attack:
The attack’s target takes 1d6 piercing damage from the swarm.
The attack’s target must succeed on a Strength saving throw against your spell save DC or be moved by the swarm up to 15 feet horizontally in a direction of your choice.
You are moved by the swarm 5 feet horizontally in a direction of your choice.
My question is, does the swarm assist you instead of doing the damage for your attack? Or is it as well as? And if so how could I justify/legitimise it with the above to my DM? Thanks.
"Once on each of your turns, you can cause the swarm to assist you in one of the following ways, immediately after you hit a creature with an attack:"
So 1/turn after hitting a creature with an attack, you pick one of the ways.
Ah Thanks, but If I was using a spear and hit a goblin, would I do the spear damage on a hit and then get to pick one of the effects as well? Or do I substitute the spears damage for choosing to use swarm assist?
You still do your weapon attack and damage. This is in addition. So for a spear attack damage you will do 1d6 (or 1d8 if 2 handing) + str, then an additional 1d6 for swarm OR force a str save to move the enemy on a fail OR you move 5 feet.
Ah Thanks, but If I was using a spear and hit a goblin, would I do the spear damage on a hit and then get to pick one of the effects as well? Or do I substitute the spears damage for choosing to use swarm assist?
You do the spear and the swarm separately. This means both the spear and the swarm happen, but the swarm doesn't crit even if the spear crits.
The article states:
Once on each of your turns, you can cause the swarm to assist you in one of the following ways, immediately after you hit a creature with an attack:
My question is, does the swarm assist you instead of doing the damage for your attack? Or is it as well as? And if so how could I justify/legitimise it with the above to my DM? Thanks.
"Once on each of your turns, you can cause the swarm to assist you in one of the following ways, immediately after you hit a creature with an attack:"
So 1/turn after hitting a creature with an attack, you pick one of the ways.
Ah Thanks, but If I was using a spear and hit a goblin, would I do the spear damage on a hit and then get to pick one of the effects as well? Or do I substitute the spears damage for choosing to use swarm assist?
You still do your weapon attack and damage. This is in addition. So for a spear attack damage you will do 1d6 (or 1d8 if 2 handing) + str, then an additional 1d6 for swarm OR force a str save to move the enemy on a fail OR you move 5 feet.
You do the spear and the swarm separately. This means both the spear and the swarm happen, but the swarm doesn't crit even if the spear crits.
It is in addition to the normal effects of your attack (damage, etc).
Thanks everyone for your replies!