I'm playing a dragonborn and was wondering if I could grapple or restrain an enemy then bonus action my breath attack on it. Would it cause advantage because the enemy can't move and would it cause any damage to me? What are the mechanics for this?
The language under the Dragonborn race mentions specifically that using your Breath Weapon is an Action. So it cannot be a Bonus Action, or lords no, a Free Action. As to whether or not you can get advantage, the question is more how can you apply disadvantage on the foe's Saving Throw. Restraining, Paralyzing, Petrifying or in any other way making the foe make their check at disadvantage or outright fail will work. There is no language that says that "real world physics/chemistry applies" so you won't hurt yourself doing this trick. The easiest way would be to initiate a grapple and attempt to restrain, then on your next action use Breath Weapon.
I gotta ask though...why? Your Breath Weapon is weak-sauce and you have dozens of more advantageous actions to use it with. If you want to be cause it "Looks Cool!" I am 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000% behind you! If you think it is a mechanically good choice, find another path.
For the RAW answers to your questions, Davedamon covered everything.
However are you interested in leaning into this kind of fighting? Depending on your class this could be something you can lean into! Both Monks and Fighters would work really well, and if you take the Grappler feat then you're getting that advantage and restrained you want.
If not, you can also talk to your DM about what you're looking for. If it's just the mechanical benefits then the Grappler feat is the way to go. But if you're more interested in the role playing flavor than your DM might be able to help modify some stuff to make it happen!
I'm playing a dragonborn and was wondering if I could grapple or restrain an enemy then bonus action my breath attack on it. Would it cause advantage because the enemy can't move and would it cause any damage to me? What are the mechanics for this?
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The language under the Dragonborn race mentions specifically that using your Breath Weapon is an Action. So it cannot be a Bonus Action, or lords no, a Free Action. As to whether or not you can get advantage, the question is more how can you apply disadvantage on the foe's Saving Throw. Restraining, Paralyzing, Petrifying or in any other way making the foe make their check at disadvantage or outright fail will work. There is no language that says that "real world physics/chemistry applies" so you won't hurt yourself doing this trick. The easiest way would be to initiate a grapple and attempt to restrain, then on your next action use Breath Weapon.
I gotta ask though...why? Your Breath Weapon is weak-sauce and you have dozens of more advantageous actions to use it with. If you want to be cause it "Looks Cool!" I am 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000% behind you! If you think it is a mechanically good choice, find another path.
Thank you for the clarification on Grappled and Restrained. I was think of Action Surge and Extra Attack not bonus action.
I was thinking of a How do you want to do this kinda thing.
For the RAW answers to your questions, Davedamon covered everything.
However are you interested in leaning into this kind of fighting? Depending on your class this could be something you can lean into! Both Monks and Fighters would work really well, and if you take the Grappler feat then you're getting that advantage and restrained you want.
If not, you can also talk to your DM about what you're looking for. If it's just the mechanical benefits then the Grappler feat is the way to go. But if you're more interested in the role playing flavor than your DM might be able to help modify some stuff to make it happen!
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