Sage Advice: Jeremy Crawford on Ability Checks & What They're Not

A new Sage Advice column has arrived. In this one, Jeremy Crawford discusses ability checks and spellcasting. Questions include whether attack rolls and saves are basically ability checks (no), whether the hex spell's target has disadvantage on attacks and saves which use the chosen ability (no), whether the bard's Jack of All Trades feature applies to attacks and saves (no), and whether an ability check to grapple or shove is an attack roll (no).

He goes on to answer questions on spellcasting limits, lines of sight, and cantrip scaling.

Find the article here.

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[Klaus]

From what I recall, the limitation is imposed by the Bonus spell. When you cast a spell as a Bonus action, you can't cast other (non-cantrip) spells that turn. If you cast a standard Action spell, there's no limit on what else you can do that turn (subject to action economy).

So you could, for example, use Action Surge to cast two Fireballs in quick succession (and no Bonus spells). Or you could cast Hex (as a Bonus action) and then use Action Surge to cast two Eldritch Blasts in succession.

I think.

Having re-read both the PHB and the article, I believe you're right. But the wording of the Sage Advice answer regarding Action Surge muddled things up a bit.

 

[Ahrimon]

Hence why until there is an official errata I consider all of these articles as suggestions on possible rulings at the table and nothing more.

 

[Agamon]

Hence why until there is an official errata I consider all of these articles as suggestions on possible rulings at the table and nothing more.

I agree. Heck, even after that...

 

[famousringo]

And here I thought the PHB was quite clear that there was no way to cast more than a single non-cantrip spell on your turn. Now we find you can Action Surge or use a reaction to do exactly that, but not a bonus action.

Clear as mud.

 

[Staffan]

And here I thought the PHB was quite clear that there was no way to cast more than a single non-cantrip spell on your turn. Now we find you can Action Surge or use a reaction to do exactly that, but not a bonus action.

Clear as mud.

The PHB says no such thing. It says that if you cast a spell as a bonus action, any spell you cast with your regular action must be a cantrip. The eldritch knight (or fighter/wizard) launching dual fireballs with action surge has long been confirmed as a possibility by the devs.

 

[Jester David]

It doesn't.

From the article.

For instance, if you cast a second spell using Action Surge, you aren’t limited to casting a cantrip with it.

Not quite. The full quote reads

If you cast a spell, such as healing word, with a bonus action, you can cast another spell with your action, but that other spell must be a cantrip. Keep in mind that this particular limit is specific to spells that use a bonus action. For instance, if you cast a second spell using Action Surge, you aren’t limited to casting a cantrip with it.

So if you cast two spells using Action Surge, neither needs to be a cantrip. If you cast two spells using a bonus action, the action one has to be a cantrip. It doesn't talk about casting a third spell following using action surge, which is a very fringe case. Based on the wording of casting via a bonus action all other spells that turn have to be cantrips.
It'd be fair to rule otherwise as a Dm though...

 

[miniaturehoarder]

Really not liking CounterSpelling Counterspells. It allows resources to be burned WAY too fast and gives way to much to the active caster.

 

[pemerton]

d) he practices casting his spell enough, over the course of many levels, to become exceptionally skilled at it

In much the same way that a level 12 wizard can fight with a dagger better than a level 3 barbarian can, this level 20 barbarian is just better at casting Fire Bolt than a level 3 wizard would be.

This won't work if my 20th level barbarian just took the feat a level or so ago, though.

If that was the case, then you'd expect weapons to deal extra dice of damage in the hands of a skilled warrior.

Did somebody say "4e"? (Sorry, just being cheeky.)

 

[Mouseferatu]

Really not liking CounterSpelling Counterspells. It allows resources to be burned WAY too fast and gives way to much to the active caster.

Heh. Whereas I like it a great deal. I love the idea of two casters trying to "out-muscle" each other this way. Anything that inspires choices in a magic vs. magic encounter other than "Try to blast harder."

 

[ehenning]

From what I recall, the limitation is imposed by the Bonus spell. When you cast a spell as a Bonus action, you can't cast other (non-cantrip) spells that turn. If you cast a standard Action spell, there's no limit on what else you can do that turn (subject to action economy).

So you could, for example, use Action Surge to cast two Fireballs in quick succession (and no Bonus spells). Or you could cast Hex (as a Bonus action) and then use Action Surge to cast two Eldritch Blasts in succession.

I think.

So how do you deal with a wizard who moves into a group of opponents and uses Shield as a reaction, then casts Thunderwave as an action to knock everyone back, followed by Misty Step to jump out of the fray? All three are not Cantrips.