I read that dropping a weapon is a free action, and picking up an other is also a free action.
So can a player do this sequence? :
1. Drop his current weapon to the floor 2. Pick up a bow that is on a table directly next to him (or move a distance of 10 feet) 3. Attack with the bow in the same turn
There are no free actions in D&D 5th edition, it's a common misnomer (like 'surprise rounds', which also don't exist).
There are things in the game that don't require an action, which is different from it being a 'free action'*, which includes dropping an item.
You can pick up an item as an object interaction, which normally requires an action but you can do it once per turn as part of another action or moving.
So for the scenario described:
They can drop the weapon without using an item
They can then attack with the bow, picking it up as part of the attack action. They could also pick it up as part of moving
* The reason the distinction matters is because there are RAW only two types of action in the game; Actions and Bonus Actions. The rules specify that if anything removes your ability to take Actions, you cannot take Bonus Actions either (because they qualify as a subset of Actions). Calling interactions that don't require actions 'Free Actions' can create confusion because does that mean they are also covered by the rule on losing Actions? If they are, that means there's a lot of stuff you can't do when you've lost your action that you should be able to do RAW.
Yes. A character could drop a weapon, move, pick up a weapon, move, and attack with the weapon on the same turn. A character with extra attack can move between the attacks after picking up the weapon before making their second attack.
----
A character has one object interaction, one action, up to one bonus action, and movement on their turn.
Dropping an item is usually ruled to not require any of these but I don't believe it is explicitly stated.
However, picking something up, drawing a weapon, opening a door are all object interactions - and you only get one free one.
In addition, if the object interaction is particularly complex like unlocking a door before opening it then the DM could require the character to use their action for the activity. Similarly, if opening a door required lifting a bar then lifting the bar might be a free object interaction but the second object interaction to open the door would require the character to use their action for the activity. A party working together could have a character lift a bar then use the Ready action to prepare an attack while another character used their object interaction to open the door.
Rules:
"Use an Object
You normally interact with an object while doing something else, such as when you draw a sword as part of an attack. When an object requires your action for its use, you take the Use an Object action. This action is also useful when you want to interact with more than one object on your turn."
"Other Activity on Your Turn
Your turn can include a variety of flourishes that require neither your action nor your move.
You can communicate however you are able, through brief utterances and gestures, as you take your turn.
You can also interact with one object or feature of the environment for free, during either your move or your action. For example, you could open a door during your move as you stride toward a foe, or you could draw your weapon as part of the same action you use to attack.
If you want to interact with a second object, you need to use your action. Some magic items and other special objects always require an action to use, as stated in their descriptions.
The DM might require you to use an action for any of these activities when it needs special care or when it presents an unusual obstacle. For instance, the DM could reasonably expect you to use an action to open a stuck door or turn a crank to lower a drawbridge."
They can then attack with the bow, picking it up as part of the attack action. They could also pick it up as part of moving
So you can draw a knife or take a knife from table and throw it as a part of attack action without having throwing fighting style? :S
Yea everyone can do it, once, at the cost of their object interaction for the turn.
The benefit of the fighting style is that you can do it multiple times (for multiple attacks) and still keep your object interaction for something else.
So in effect a level 1 human character with dual wielding feat and two weapon fighting styles can draw two hand axes and throw them in one turn. (two weapon style for getting offhand as mod bonus, but might opt for throwing style too for extra damage for a pure throwing build but the former works for a normal dual wielder better)
Just like a crossbow expert can attack two times with his hand crossbow at level 1 when using his bonus action too.
Thanks was quite helpful. Might use it for a Berserker/Champion themed character...
So in effect a level 1 human character with dual wielding feat and two weapon fighting styles can draw two hand axes and throw them in one turn. (two weapon style for getting offhand as mod bonus, but might opt for throwing style too for extra damage for a pure throwing build but the former works for a normal dual wielder better)
Just like a crossbow expert can attack two times with his hand crossbow at level 1 when using his bonus action too.
Thanks was quite helpful. Might use it for a Berserker/Champion themed character...
You normally interact with an object while doing something else, such as when you draw a sword as part of an attack. When an object requires your action for its use, you take the Use an Object action. This action is also useful when you want to interact with more than one object on your turn."
"Other Activity on Your Turn
Your turn can include a variety of flourishes that require neither your action nor your move.
You can communicate however you are able, through brief utterances and gestures, as you take your turn.
You can also interact with one object or feature of the environment for free, during either your move or your action. For example, you could open a door during your move as you stride toward a foe, or you could draw your weapon as part of the same action you use to attack.
If you want to interact with a second object, you need to use your action. Some magic items and other special objects always require an action to use, as stated in their descriptions.
The DM might require you to use an action for any of these activities when it needs special care or when it presents an unusual obstacle. For instance, the DM could reasonably expect you to use an action to open a stuck door or turn a crank to lower a drawbridge."
Gotta say, it's a bit stupid to part that ruling in the PHB on two different parts. One simply states you can use object interactions for free during movement and attack action, the other one states you can do this only once for free (which where the "1 free action" comes from) Would have been best to either really just make a "free action" or already state you can use the object interaction for free only once, instead of putting this information somewhere else...
The DM determines who might be surprised. If neither side tries to be stealthy, they automatically notice each other. Otherwise, the DM compares the Dexterity (Stealth) checks of anyone hiding with the passive Wisdom (Perception) score of each creature on the opposing side. Any character or monster that doesn't notice a threat is surprised at the start of the encounter.
If you're surprised, you can't move or take an action on your first turn of the combat, and you can't take a reaction until that turn ends. A member of a group can be surprised even if the other members aren't.
The DM determines who might be surprised. If neither side tries to be stealthy, they automatically notice each other. Otherwise, the DM compares the Dexterity (Stealth) checks of anyone hiding with the passive Wisdom (Perception) score of each creature on the opposing side. Any character or monster that doesn't notice a threat is surprised at the start of the encounter.
If you're surprised, you can't move or take an action on your first turn of the combat, and you can't take a reaction until that turn ends. A member of a group can be surprised even if the other members aren't.
Maybe you posted this in the wrong thread?
This thread has only ever discussed the rules concerning interacting with objects.
There was a comment early on that surprise rounds don't exist in 5e -- which is correct. Ralos is incorrect in saying that the statement was incorrect.
The DM determines who might be surprised. If neither side tries to be stealthy, they automatically notice each other. Otherwise, the DM compares the Dexterity (Stealth) checks of anyone hiding with the passive Wisdom (Perception) score of each creature on the opposing side. Any character or monster that doesn't notice a threat is surprised at the start of the encounter.
If you're surprised, you can't move or take an action on your first turn of the combat, and you can't take a reaction until that turn ends. A member of a group can be surprised even if the other members aren't.
I am not incorrect about surprise rounds; rules as written there is no such thing. You can be surprised (the rules for which you just described) but there is no 'surprise round', that's a holdover from previous editions.
The basic rules state that you can interact with one object or feature of the environment for free, as part of either your move or your action and interacting with a second object would require you to use an action to do so
I'm struggling to understand, why picking up a dropped weapon requires me to move or act.
I move my full distance (movement) I attack with a sword I had in hand(attack). I drop my sword(free) and grab the bow off the table im standing next to(interaction). End turn.
The way you guys interpret, I would need to attack with bow to grab it. (Why) or move along the table to grab it (why) . Makes every sense to be able to as above in my example. And the flourish thing (opening sentence of other actions)of other action require no movement or actions, would seem to agree.
If you already moved and took your action, you can't interact with objects around you this way since you are allowed to do so in tandem with your movement and action as a free item interaction only. Picking up that bow under such circumstances would therefore require an action.
Other Activity On Your Turn: You can also interact with one object or feature of the environment for free, during either your move or your action.
Interacting With Objects Around You: Here are a few examples of the sorts of thing you can do in tandem with your movement and action: - pick up a dropped axe
Piggybacking on what Plaguescarred said, there are three general ways you can interact with an object.
You can interact with an object as your action
You can interact with an object as part of another action
You can interact with an object as part of your movement
You can do #1 or #2 or #3. If you want additional object interaction, you can do both #1 and #2, or you can do both #1 and #3. If you have already moved, you cannot do #3. If you have already taken your action, you cannot do #1 or #2.
I move my full distance (movement) I attack with a sword I had in hand(attack). I drop my sword(free) and grab the bow off the table im standing next to(interaction). End turn.
For what it's worth, I would allow this. We can quibble over whether the attack action has ended before you grab the bow, but if you didn't make any object interaction as part of the attack action, I'm going to let you interact with the bow at the end of it. I'm also not a big fan of dropping a weapon in order to make your action economy more efficient, but that speaks more to my own perspective as a storyteller rather than a RAW analysis.
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Hello, new player here and i have a question.
I read that dropping a weapon is a free action, and picking up an other is also a free action.
So can a player do this sequence? :
1. Drop his current weapon to the floor
2. Pick up a bow that is on a table directly next to him (or move a distance of 10 feet)
3. Attack with the bow in the same turn
There are no free actions in D&D 5th edition, it's a common misnomer (like 'surprise rounds', which also don't exist).
There are things in the game that don't require an action, which is different from it being a 'free action'*, which includes dropping an item.
You can pick up an item as an object interaction, which normally requires an action but you can do it once per turn as part of another action or moving.
So for the scenario described:
* The reason the distinction matters is because there are RAW only two types of action in the game; Actions and Bonus Actions. The rules specify that if anything removes your ability to take Actions, you cannot take Bonus Actions either (because they qualify as a subset of Actions). Calling interactions that don't require actions 'Free Actions' can create confusion because does that mean they are also covered by the rule on losing Actions? If they are, that means there's a lot of stuff you can't do when you've lost your action that you should be able to do RAW.
D&D Beyond moderator across forums, Discord, Twitch and YouTube. Always happy to help and willing to answer questions (or at least try). (he/him/his)
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So you can draw a knife or take a knife from table and throw it as a part of attack action without having throwing fighting style? :S
Yes. A character could drop a weapon, move, pick up a weapon, move, and attack with the weapon on the same turn. A character with extra attack can move between the attacks after picking up the weapon before making their second attack.
----
A character has one object interaction, one action, up to one bonus action, and movement on their turn.
Dropping an item is usually ruled to not require any of these but I don't believe it is explicitly stated.
However, picking something up, drawing a weapon, opening a door are all object interactions - and you only get one free one.
In addition, if the object interaction is particularly complex like unlocking a door before opening it then the DM could require the character to use their action for the activity. Similarly, if opening a door required lifting a bar then lifting the bar might be a free object interaction but the second object interaction to open the door would require the character to use their action for the activity. A party working together could have a character lift a bar then use the Ready action to prepare an attack while another character used their object interaction to open the door.
Rules:
"Use an Object
You normally interact with an object while doing something else, such as when you draw a sword as part of an attack. When an object requires your action for its use, you take the Use an Object action. This action is also useful when you want to interact with more than one object on your turn."
"Other Activity on Your Turn
Your turn can include a variety of flourishes that require neither your action nor your move.
You can communicate however you are able, through brief utterances and gestures, as you take your turn.
You can also interact with one object or feature of the environment for free, during either your move or your action. For example, you could open a door during your move as you stride toward a foe, or you could draw your weapon as part of the same action you use to attack.
If you want to interact with a second object, you need to use your action. Some magic items and other special objects always require an action to use, as stated in their descriptions.
The DM might require you to use an action for any of these activities when it needs special care or when it presents an unusual obstacle. For instance, the DM could reasonably expect you to use an action to open a stuck door or turn a crank to lower a drawbridge."
Yea everyone can do it, once, at the cost of their object interaction for the turn.
The benefit of the fighting style is that you can do it multiple times (for multiple attacks) and still keep your object interaction for something else.
So in effect a level 1 human character with dual wielding feat and two weapon fighting styles can draw two hand axes and throw them in one turn. (two weapon style for getting offhand as mod bonus, but might opt for throwing style too for extra damage for a pure throwing build but the former works for a normal dual wielder better)
Just like a crossbow expert can attack two times with his hand crossbow at level 1 when using his bonus action too.
Thanks was quite helpful. Might use it for a Berserker/Champion themed character...
With the feat, yes.
Gotta say, it's a bit stupid to part that ruling in the PHB on two different parts.
One simply states you can use object interactions for free during movement and attack action, the other one states you can do this only once for free (which where the "1 free action" comes from)
Would have been best to either really just make a "free action" or already state you can use the object interaction for free only once, instead of putting this information somewhere else...
incorrect about surprise rounds.
RAW
The DM determines who might be surprised. If neither side tries to be stealthy, they automatically notice each other. Otherwise, the DM compares the Dexterity (Stealth) checks of anyone hiding with the passive Wisdom (Perception) score of each creature on the opposing side. Any character or monster that doesn't notice a threat is surprised at the start of the encounter.
If you're surprised, you can't move or take an action on your first turn of the combat, and you can't take a reaction until that turn ends. A member of a group can be surprised even if the other members aren't.
Maybe you posted this in the wrong thread?
This thread has only ever discussed the rules concerning interacting with objects.
There was a comment early on that surprise rounds don't exist in 5e -- which is correct. Ralos is incorrect in saying that the statement was incorrect.
I am not incorrect about surprise rounds; rules as written there is no such thing. You can be surprised (the rules for which you just described) but there is no 'surprise round', that's a holdover from previous editions.
D&D Beyond moderator across forums, Discord, Twitch and YouTube. Always happy to help and willing to answer questions (or at least try). (he/him/his)
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat On - Mod Hat Off
Site Rules & Guidelines - Homebrew Rules - Looking for Players and Groups Rules
The basic rules state that you can interact with one object or feature of the environment for free, as part of either your move or your action and interacting with a second object would require you to use an action to do so
I'm struggling to understand, why picking up a dropped weapon requires me to move or act.
I move my full distance (movement) I attack with a sword I had in hand(attack). I drop my sword(free) and grab the bow off the table im standing next to(interaction). End turn.
The way you guys interpret, I would need to attack with bow to grab it. (Why) or move along the table to grab it (why) . Makes every sense to be able to as above in my example. And the flourish thing (opening sentence of other actions)of other action require no movement or actions, would seem to agree.
If you already moved and took your action, you can't interact with objects around you this way since you are allowed to do so in tandem with your movement and action as a free item interaction only. Picking up that bow under such circumstances would therefore require an action.
Piggybacking on what Plaguescarred said, there are three general ways you can interact with an object.
You can do #1 or #2 or #3. If you want additional object interaction, you can do both #1 and #2, or you can do both #1 and #3. If you have already moved, you cannot do #3. If you have already taken your action, you cannot do #1 or #2.
For what it's worth, I would allow this. We can quibble over whether the attack action has ended before you grab the bow, but if you didn't make any object interaction as part of the attack action, I'm going to let you interact with the bow at the end of it. I'm also not a big fan of dropping a weapon in order to make your action economy more efficient, but that speaks more to my own perspective as a storyteller rather than a RAW analysis.
"Not all those who wander are lost"