Simple RAW for 5e 4: Smackdown v. RAW

[Chronos]

A 426:

Yes, you can both push and pull on the same hit, and thus (for instance) cause an enemy to enter an ally's Spirit Guardians an extra time, or grate them over an ally's Spike Growth.

[E’Tallitnics]

427: What’s the difference between, “once per turn” and, “once on each of your turns”? See ‘Sneak Attack’ and ‘Grasp of Hadar’ respectively.

[E’Tallitnics]

A 426:

Yes, you can both push and pull on the same hit, and thus (for instance) cause an enemy to enter an ally's Spirit Guardians an extra time, or grate them over an ally's Spike Growth.

R426: Make sure to read the mechanics carefully. Some effects limit how many times it can be triggered, when it’s triggered, and by whom.

Example: Spirit Guardians says. “…when the creature enters the area for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there….” So forcing a creature to re-enter the AoE won’t trigger a second instance of damage on the same turn. On each subsequent turn if the character enters the AoE they'll take another instance of damage.

EDIT: See underlined text above.

[honeybunch]

427: What’s the difference between, “once per turn” and, “once on each of your turns”? See ‘Sneak Attack’ and ‘Grasp of Hadar’ respectively.

A427:

"Once per turn" actions can happen on other character's turns. For example, a rogue could ready an action to attack an enemy, and would still be able to sneak attack that enemy.

"Once on each of your turns" effects cannot apply on other character's turns. If a warlock hit an enemy with a readied Eldritch Blast on another character's turn, the Warlock wouldn't be able to apply the Grasp of Hadar invocation to the attack.

I doubt it would break anything to allow that warlock to use Grasp of Hadar, but it doesn't work RAW.

[etrpgb]

Q428

Can I use Bonus Actions during Time Stop?

[E’Tallitnics]

Q428

Can I use Bonus Actions during Time Stop?

A428: If you cast the spell? Yes. If not, then no.

[etrpgb]

Q429

Here is the text of the spell Time Stop:

Time Stop
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V
Duration: Instantaneous
Classes: Sorcerer, Wizard

You briefly stop the flow of time for everyone but yourself. No time passes for other creatures, while you take 1d4 + 1 turns in a row, during which you can use actions and move as normal. This spell ends if one of the actions you use during this period, or any effects that you create during this period, affects a creature other than you or an object being worn or carried by someone other than you. In addition, the spell ends if you move to a place more than 1,000 feet from the location where you cast it.

The caster can take 1d4+1 turns in a row, but in the text is written "during which you can use actions and move as normal." Is the list exhaustive so during the virtual turns the caster can only move and take actions or the list is just for explaining and the caster can actually act as normal taking actions, bonus actions, reactions, and item interactions?

[Chronos]

Right, you can only get the "enter the area" damage from Spirit Guardians once per turn. But ordinarily, enemies would only enter the area on their own turn (having probably not taken the damage from starting their turn in the area), so any opportunity you have of making them enter the area on anyone else's turn (like, say, yours) will probably be extra damage.

For instance, if something is meleeing the cleric, ordinarily they'd be taking damage once per round. But if you knock them out of the area and pull them back in, then they'll take enter-the-area damage on your turn, and then also start-the-turn damage on their turn, doubling the damage they take from the Spirit Guardians.

[LtPowers]

A429

Bonus actions and reactions are types of actions, so they are included implicitly. You generally will not be able to take a reaction during time stop, simply because no one else is taking any turns, but it's theoretically possible to trigger one on your own turn.


Powers &8^]

[etrpgb]

Q430

Here Tyler Kamstra states:

Crossbow Expert PHB: If you're built to fight at range, Crossbow Expert is tempting. Allowing an additional crossbow attack as a bonus action gives you a backup option if you fail to deliver a Sneak Attack on your first attack, and unlike two-weapon fighting you get to apply your ability modifier to damage with the additional attack. However, there are easy ways to avoid needing this even if you plan to fight at range. The "loading" weapon property doesn't require that your hands remain empty for any specific portion of your turn, so you can fire your crossbow, draw a dagger as your free item interaction, throw it as a bonus action using the two-weapon fighting rules, then have a hand free to reload your crossbow. The ability to use ranged weapons while adjacent to enemies is also tempting, but that's what Cunning Action is for.

Here is the two-weapon fighting and loading rules from the srd:

Two-Weapon Fighting
When you take the Attack action and attack with a light melee weapon that you’re holding in one hand, you can use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee weapon that you’re holding in the other hand. You don’t add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus attack, unless that modifier is negative. If either weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon, instead of making a melee attack with it.

Loading:
Because of the time required to load this weapon, you can fire only one piece of ammunition from it when you use an action, bonus action, or reaction to fire it, regardless of the number of attacks you can normally make.

I am missing how what Tyler Kamstra states can possibly work. Sure you do not need any free hand to reload, but to activate the Two-Weapon Fighting rule you need two light melee weapons, and the crossbow is definitely not melee. Am I missing something?

[E’Tallitnics]

Right, you can only get the "enter the area" damage from Spirit Guardians once per turn. But ordinarily, enemies would only enter the area on their own turn (having probably not taken the damage from starting their turn in the area), so any opportunity you have of making them enter the area on anyone else's turn (like, say, yours) will probably be extra damage.

For instance, if something is meleeing the cleric, ordinarily they'd be taking damage once per round. But if you knock them out of the area and pull them back in, then they'll take enter-the-area damage on your turn, and then also start-the-turn damage on their turn, doubling the damage they take from the Spirit Guardians.

R426: Please remember to keep your replies tagged with the question number.

Thank you! You're correct and I've edited my answer above:

[...]
Example: Spirit Guardians says. “…when the creature enters the area for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there….” So forcing a creature to re-enter the AoE won’t trigger a second instance of damage on the same turn. On each subsequent turn if the character enters the AoE they'll take another instance of damage.

[E’Tallitnics]

Q430: [...]

I am missing how what Tyler Kamstra states can possibly work. Sure you do not need any free hand to reload, but to activate the Two-Weapon Fighting rule you need two light melee weapons, and the crossbow is definitely not melee. Am I missing something?

A430: You're not missing anything. Mr. Kamstra is incorrect.

[etrpgb]

Q431

Here is the RAW text of the Acid from the Adventuring Gear from the SRD:

*Acid*: As an action, you can splash the contents of this vial onto a creature within 5 feet of you or throw the vial up to 20 feet, shattering it on impact. In either case, make a ranged attack against a creature or object, treating the acid as an improvised weapon. On a hit, the target takes 2d6 acid damage.

The Alchemist Fire and the Holy Water are analogous. My question is: the Action you need to do is an Attack or a Use an Object or something else?

[E’Tallitnics]

Q431

Here is the RAW text of the Acid from the Adventuring Gear from the SRD:

Acid. As an action, you can splash the contents of this vial onto a creature within 5 feet of you or throw the vial up to 20 feet, shattering it on impact. In either case, make a ranged attack against a creature or object, treating the acid as an improvised weapon. On a hit, the target takes 2d6 acid damage.

The Alchemist Fire and the Holy Water are analogous. My question is: the Action you need to do is an Attack or a Use an Object or something else?

A431: An attack action. I’ve emphasized the answer in your quoted text.

[etrpgb]

431

I see the point, but it is the same for Booming Blade. In the text one reads "make a melee attack" but the action is "cast a spell" anywyay

[E’Tallitnics]

431

I see the point, but it is the same for Booming Blade. In the text one reads "make a melee attack" but the action is "cast a spell" anywyay

R431 It’s the Action you take, so Booming Blade is Cast a Spell. Therefore Extra Attack won’t process from the melee attack since the action was Cast a Spell.

[Millstone85]

R431 It’s the Action you take, so Booming Blade is Cast a Spell. Therefore Extra Attack won’t process from the melee attack since the action was Cast a Spell.

R431 Their point stands. Just because something involves an attack does not make it the Attack action.

[etrpgb]

R341

Actually, by RAW and probably RAI I think the action is "Use an object." Here is the description from the Actions in Combat section:

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

.

[E’Tallitnics]

R341

Actually, by RAW and probably RAI I think the action is "Use an object." Here is the description from the Actions in Combat section:

[...]

R431: It is not. The RAW are in the description itself.

Acid. As an action, you can splash the contents of this vial onto a creature within 5 feet of you or throw the vial up to 20 feet, shattering it on impact. In either case, make a ranged attack against a creature or object, treating the acid as an improvised weapon. On a hit, the target takes 2d6 acid damage.

See it's not so much what you have, it's what you're doing with it that counts as far as the 5e action economy is concerned. The action economy is very carefully spelled out to avoid things like an Eldritch Knight casting Booming Blade, then making 4 additional attacks with Extra Attack.

At 3rd level the Rogue (Thief) gets "Use an Object" as part of the Bonus Action 'Cunning Action' trait. If tossing a vial wasn't an (Improvised) Attack Action then she could use her Bonus Action to toss a vial of anything (Acid, Holy Water, Potion of [any spell effect]) and still have her action and possible reaction for that turn.

Also see: https://www.sageadvice.eu/2018/04/13...ier-to-damage/.

You're welcome to change the RAW at your table of course. 5e encourages this! But if you still need further clarification on this issue please create a main forum post for further, detailed discussion.

[etrpgb]

R431

You mean this one? I am not sure how it states it is an Attack Action.

@JeremyECrawford given the fact that throwing Alchemist's Fire is "Use an Object" action, on hit it adds DEX modifier to damage?

To me it appear analogous to use Booming Blade spell, there the action is Casting a Spell then you make an attack.

[E’Tallitnics]

R431

You mean this one? I am not sure how it states it is an Attack Action.

@JeremyECrawford given the fact that throwing Alchemist's Fire is "Use an Object" action, on hit it adds DEX modifier to damage?

To me it appear analogous to use Booming Blade spell, there the action is Casting a Spell then you make an attack.

R431: Please create a main forum post for further discussion.

[Millstone85]

At 3rd level the Rogue (Thief) gets "Use an Object" as part of the Bonus Action 'Cunning Action' trait. If tossing a vial wasn't an (Improvised) Attack Action then she could use her Bonus Action to toss a vial of anything (Acid, Holy Water, Potion of [any spell effect]) and still have her action and possible reaction for that turn.

R431 And if it is part of the Attack action, then a fighter can toss two vials at 5th level, three vials at 11th level, and four vials at 20th level, all within that single action.

[Erys]

R431: It is not. The RAW are in the description itself.



See it's not so much what you have, it's what you're doing with it that counts as far as the 5e action economy is concerned. The action economy is very carefully spelled out to avoid things like an Eldritch Knight casting Booming Blade, then making 4 additional attacks with Extra Attack.

At 3rd level the Rogue (Thief) gets "Use an Object" as part of the Bonus Action 'Cunning Action' trait. If tossing a vial wasn't an (Improvised) Attack Action then she could use her Bonus Action to toss a vial of anything (Acid, Holy Water, Potion of [any spell effect]) and still have her action and possible reaction for that turn.

Also see: https://www.sageadvice.eu/2018/04/13...ier-to-damage/.

You're welcome to change the RAW at your table of course. 5e encourages this! But if you still need further clarification on this issue please create a main forum post for further, detailed discussion.

Just for clarity; The only reason a Rogue (Thief) cannot use a Potion with Fast Hands is because that is considered "Using a Magic Item".

R431: That link from JC confirms Alchemist Fire as a "Use Object" Action. The verbiage of Acid is almost identical to Alchemist Fire.

So by RAW: Acid uses the Use Object Action.

[da newt]

R431:

"Jeremy Crawford
@JeremyECrawford
Alchemist's fire is treated as an improvised weapon. When you hurl it at someone, you make a ranged attack against them. The damage roll of a ranged weapon attack includes your Dexterity modifier."

I believe finding the vial of XXX in your pack and drawing it is an object interaction (just like drawing a sword), but throwing it at someone is clearly stated as a ranged attack.

In JC's responses, he never confirms the OP's assumption that Alchemist's fire is an item interaction - he states that when you throw it, it is a ranged attack.

[Erys]

R431: Use Object, like Cast a Spell, are sometimes resolved like Attack Actions. This does not make them Attack Actions though...

To elaborate on this some, to reply to you directly da newt, and to keep the RAW thread less back-and-forth: I've made a discussion thread and replied to you here.

[Chrizzt]

Q432: As a sorcerer with the ritual caster feat: Can you twin spell a ritual casting of unseen servant?

[Erys]

Q432: As a sorcerer with the ritual caster feat: Can you twin spell a ritual casting of unseen servant?

A432: Nope.

Twin stipulates 'when you cast a spell that targets one creature...', and unfortunately Unseen Servant has no target.

[NecessaryWeevil]

Q433:
A 4th-level Druid can wildshape for two hours at a time. At the end of the two hours they can expend their second and last wildshape to remain in that form for another two hours.
Wildshapes are restored after a short rest.
A short rest takes an hour.
Therefore, could a 4th-level Druid remain in wildshape for an arbitrarily long time by resting (or doing things equivalent to resting, like keeping watch) in wildshape between the third and fourth hour of a four-hour cycle?
Setting aside for the moment questions like "when do they sleep?".

Q433b:
Related question: is there a limit to the number of short rests you can benefit from in a 24-hour period? [other than 24, obviously]

[Erys]

Q433:
A 4th-level Druid can wildshape for two hours at a time. At the end of the two hours they can expend their second and last wildshape to remain in that form for another two hours.
Wildshapes are restored after a short rest.
A short rest takes an hour.
Therefore, could a 4th-level Druid remain in wildshape for an arbitrarily long time by resting (or doing things equivalent to resting, like keeping watch) in wildshape between the third and fourth hour of a four-hour cycle?
Setting aside for the moment questions like "when do they sleep?".

Q433b:
Related question: is there a limit to the number of short rests you can benefit from in a 24-hour period? [other than 24, obviously]

A433: Yes.

Same goes for warlocks casting Hex on a squirrel, killing it, then concentrating on said spell through a short rest while regaining they feeble spell slots.

A433b: There is no hard limit on how many short rest you can take.

[da newt]

434

Natural Weapons (Tabaxi claws for example): Are PCs proficient w/ their natural weapons? If you make a bonus attack with your off hand natural weapon, do you add your ST modifier and proficiency modifier? Are claws melee, simple, light, and or finesse weapons?

Logically, you would think yes for all of the above, but what is RAW?