D&D General Bonus actions

[wicked cool]

Watching an interview with Mackenzie and Todd Kendrick and she talked about how effective her character was but didn’t elaborate except bonus actions
What are the best bonus actions

 

[Zardnaar]

Generally attacks and teleports imho.

 

[Benjamin Olson]

What does "best" mean.

Rogue Cunning Actions are things that are normally full actions which you can do without expending a limited resource. That's pretty cool. Generally between those, off-hand attacks, and (if in 5.5 or 5e with Tasha's options) steady aim, a Rogue tends to be unusually good at always getting something useful out of their bonus action.

Offhand attacks, polearm master bonus attacks, various other bonus attacks are also pretty cool, because doing more damage is cool, and if you missed on your main attacks getting another bite at the apple feels good, even if you're only doing a small amount of damage. For some people these are the best.

But of course the most powerful singular bonus actions will generally be the ones that involve casting some clutch spell or using some other powerful but resource limited ability. Maybe these are the best.

For a one shot I played a level 20 wizard who had misty step as his free to cast level two spell, and while I don't think it achieved anything useful in our one short session, at-will teleportation sure was fun and led to some good character moments. For that birthday party maybe that was best.

Really the best bonus action is whichever one, situationally, crushes your enemies, particularly if it allows you to see them driven before you and hear the lamentations of their women.

 

[aco175]

But of course the most powerful singular bonus actions will generally be the ones that involve casting some clutch spell or using some other powerful but resource limited ability. Maybe these are the best.

I agree. Healing Word and Misty Step come to mind as always good. I was thinking Shield, but that is a reaction.

 

[wicked cool]

Curious on Mackenzie’s actions as she appears to have surprised their dm.
So we have rogue but what about clerics?

 

[Mort]

Watching an interview with Mackenzie and Todd Kendrick and she talked about how effective her character was but didn’t elaborate except bonus actions
What are the best bonus actions

Can you provide some context? What actual play is this?

 

[Clint_L]

The best bonus action class is the current monk. They are never short of good options to use with their bonus action, from an extra attack, to movement, to defence.

The best bonus action, period, is healing word. I think it's the best spell in the game. Certainly the most consequential due to 5e's design.

 

[Mort]

The best bonus action class is the current monk. They are never short of good options to use with their bonus action, from an extra attack, to movement, to defence.

The best bonus action, period, is healing word. I think it's the best spell in the game. Certainly the most consequential due to 5e's design.

With the doubling of healing spells (2d4 instead of 1d4 now), it's certainly up there.

Worth mentioning, the Paladin's lay on hands is now a bonus action. Healing word usually edges it out at low-mid level because it's ranged, unless LOTS of healing is needed.

But high (14th level+) level this now allows the paladin to end several nasty conditions (blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened, paralyzed, or stunned) at 5hp each, multiple at a time if needed (plus also heal as needed) for 1 bonus action. That's pretty good!

 

[ECMO3]

Watching an interview with Mackenzie and Todd Kendrick and she talked about how effective her character was but didn’t elaborate except bonus actions
What are the best bonus actions

I think the best two in 5.5E by far are Fast Hands and Quicken Spell. I don't think anything else comes close. With a few Wands and scrolls is almost like getting 2 turns per round (or 4 for a Thief at 17th level).

These two are what I would call the "S Tier" bonus actions. Here is a list of other 5.5E bonus actions, I am including the level you get it at in the discussion, so if something comes online at a lower level it is more valuable than another feature that does the same thing at a later level:

"A tier" Bonus actions include Cunning Action, Patient Defense, Misty Step, Travel along the Tree, Second Wind with Tactical Shift, Mantle of Inspiration, Mantle of Majesty, Agile Strikes, Dragonscarred, Rage, Wrathful Smite, Step of the Wind, Mage Hand Legerdemain, all of the Healing Word spells, Healing Light, Lay on Hands, Eldritch Hex, Instinctive Pounce, Imtimidating Presence, Inspired Eclipse, Unbreakable Majesty, Bladesong, Invoke Duplicity, Moonlight Step, Psi-powered Leap, Shadow Step, Martial Arts, Fleet Step, Aura of Alacrity, Celestial Revelation, Inate Sorcery, Stone Cunning, Quick Attack, Spellbreaker, Improved Illusions

"B tier" are Flurry of Blows, Divine Smite, most other Paladin smite spells, Lessor Restoration, Hex, Armor of Agathys, Clairvoyant Combat, Rage of the Wilds-Eagle, Trickster's Transportation, Wild Shape, Lunging Attack, Beast in Combat, Exceptional Training, Draconic Flight, Adreanalin Rush, Pact of Blade, Third Eye, Spellfire Burst

"C tier" Awakened Mind, Divine Sense, Zealous Presence, Bardic Inspiration, Warpriest, Starry form, Know your Enemy, most of the Paladin Auras, Nature's Viel, Steady Aim, Font of Magic, Telepathic Speech, Revelation in Flesh, Large Form, Arcane Ward recharge, Banishing your Familiar, Divine Forknowledge, PAM Bonus action attack, light weapon attack, Spellfire Spark

"D tier" Second Wind without Tactical Shift, Holy Nimbus, Warrior of the Gods, Battle Magic, Nature's Sanctuary, Wrath of the Sea, Evasive Footwirk, Feinting Attack, Rally, War Bond, Bullwark of Force, Telekenetic Master, Wholeness of Body, Peerless Athlete, Psychic Blades, Dragon Wings, Trance of Order, Gaze of Two Minds, Illusory Reality, Noble Scion, Song of Victory


I am sure there is some I have missed, but that is a lot of the 5.5E bonus actions.

 

[wicked cool]

Can you provide some context? What actual play is this?

It was in an interview with Todd Kendrick talking about the new Ravenloft book. She just mentioned with pride how her bonus actions suprised the dm. No mention of class