DruidĬasting spells, like Magic Stone, Shillelagh, Healing Word, or using spell abilities. ClericĬasting spells, like Healing Word, Sanctuary, Shield of Faith, Spiritual Weapon, or using spell abilities. Using Bardic Inspiration or casting a spell like Healing Word or using spell abilities. Note: Higher level characters often have more ways to use their bonus action.īut let’s take a look at a handful of options: ArtificerĬasting spells, like Expeditious Retreat, Magic Stone, Sanctuary, activating spell abilities, or activating infusions that grant bonus action abilities. Many of the recently-published subclasses have bonus action abilities.Ĭommon Ways that Low-Level Characters Can Use a Bonus Action Since 5e was released, Wizards of the Coast has gotten a bit better about giving players a way to use their bonus actions. Having a bonus action can be useful or powerful, so experienced players will often look for ways to use both an action and a bonus action during their turns. These may be class or racial abilities, magic items, spell casting or spell activation, feats, or something similar.Īnd some characters do not have any ways to use a bonus action. In order to use a bonus action, a character must have an ability that uses a bonus action. However, most characters will not use a bonus action most of the often. This includes attacking, dodging, casting most spells, moving a second time (AKA the dash action, etc.). Similarly, if a spell or ability requires a bonus action, you cannot activate it by using an action, and vice-versa.Ī character will use their regular action on almost every turn, as there are many things they can do with their action. They can use each option only once, unless there is an ability in effect that alters the rules. Players may use these options in any order unless a specific rule requires otherwise. Using a reaction often requires a triggering event occurs to take place, such as taking an attack of opportunity.

Reactions do not need to be used on a character’s turn in fact, they are most frequently used on an NPC’s or another PC’s turn.

PCs also have one reaction they can use each round.

interact with one object in the environment for free (ie, open a door, draw a weapon).

There are several things a player character(PC) can do on their turn, including: Let’s dig into the details to understand bonus actions a little better. In older versions of D&D, it was sometimes known as a swift action or minor action. A bonus action is a minor or secondary action that doesn’t take much time to perform.

D&d 5e turn