{"id":3005,"date":"2022-09-22T22:29:32","date_gmt":"2022-09-23T05:29:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hill-kleerup.org\/blog\/heroes\/?p=3005"},"modified":"2025-05-20T15:29:59","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T22:29:59","slug":"dd-5e-rules-bonus-actions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hill-kleerup.org\/blog\/heroes\/2022\/09\/dd-5e-rules-bonus-actions.html","title":{"rendered":"D&D 5e\/5.5e Rules – Bonus Actions!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"KnowPart of an ongoing series of 5e (2014)<\/strong> Rules notes.<\/a>\u00a0 See the end of the post for notes on 5.5e (2024)<\/strong> rules.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Bonus Action<\/em>s are actually pretty easy, but they are not well explained in the 5e Players Handbook<\/em>.<\/p>\n

When can you use a Bonus Action?<\/em><\/h1>\n

On your turn, one of the things you may be able to do<\/a> is a Bonus Action<\/em>. The trick to understanding it is that you only get\u00a0Bonus Actions<\/em> that the rules specifically say you get.\u00a0Certain rules give you a Bonus Action<\/em>. You can only ever use\u00a0one Bonus Action<\/em> on your turn<\/b>, and it can only be on your turn (you can’t use a Bonus Action<\/em> in an Opportunity Attack, for example).<\/p>\n

If you aren’t using or eligible by the rules for a Bonus Action, you don’t get one<\/i>. There isn’t a “Bonus Action phase” in the turn or something. What you can do as a (single) Bonus Action<\/em>\u00a0has to come from a rule or ability applicable to your character<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Note that some spells have their casting time as one\u00a0Bonus Action<\/em><\/a>.<\/em> These spells can\u00a0only<\/em> be used as a BA. Also, you cannot cast a\u00a0Bonus Action<\/em> spell if you have cast anything more than a Cantrip as your regular action.<\/p>\n

\"Bonus<\/a>
Though that isn’t specified by the rules. (Source<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An Example<\/h1>\n

So, for example, my Rogue, Tener, started off with only one thing I could do as a Bonus Action<\/em> (the one available to everyone): a second melee attack using Two-Weapon Fighting<\/a> (PHB 195).<\/p>\n

At second level Rogue, he got the class ability Cunning Action<\/em><\/a> (PHB 96), which meant I could use my Bonus Action<\/em> to Dash, Disengage,<\/em> or Hide<\/em>.<\/p>\n

At third level Rogue, he got the Thief archetype ability of Fast Hands<\/a><\/em> (PHB 97), which meant I could use my Bonus Action<\/em> for Sleight-of-Hand<\/em>, disarm a trap, unlock a lock, or Use an Object<\/em>.<\/p>\n

But I couldn’t use my Bonus Action<\/em> to, say, Help<\/em>, because that wasn’t a Bonus Action defined for my character. I could only do those specific actions defined for my Bonus Action in my rules.<\/p>\n

Does everyone have Bonus Actions?<\/h1>\n

Some characters don’t have any Bonus Actions, <\/em>at least at lower levels (except the option of Two-Weapon Fighting, if they choose it).<\/p>\n

When can I take a Bonus Action?<\/h1>\n

One more thing about Bonus Actions: some have\u00a0prerequisites\u00a0<\/b>and some have none. For example:<\/p>\n