Can I take a second bonus action in place of my action during a round?

[Gavin O.]

Let's say I'm a Hexblade, and I have one round to cast support spells before the enemy is within reach. Ideally I want to cast hex on an enemy and then use Hexblade's Curse on that enemy. The issue is that both of those are bonus actions, and I'm not sure whether you can use your action to do something that should take a bonus action. It would make sense if you could, but I've not seen any rules that confirm or deny that.

This applies similarly to Oath of Vengeance Paladins who want to Vow of Enmity+Hunter's mark on the first round, since those are also both bonus actions.

 

[Kurotowa]

No. Your Action can only perform options in the Action category. If there's a conversion it's explicitly given as an Action you can take. The main example of this is the Dash option which uses your Action for extra movement distance. With no Action listed to gain a Bonus Action, by the RAW it's not an option.

 

[Hjorimir]

No. Your Action can only perform options in the Action category. If there's a conversion it's explicitly given as an Action you can take. The main example of this is the Dash option which uses your Action for extra movement distance. With no Action listed to gain a Bonus Action, by the RAW it's not an option.

There are instances of bonus actions that don't require a triggering action to generate, but you're generally correct in the fact that a character may only perform a single bonus action during their turn.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

No, Action and Bonus Action are different things. You only get one of each per turn (special abilities aside) and they can only be used for the things stated.

 

[Gavin O.]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Blue]

There are instances of bonus actions that don't require a triggering action to generate, but you're generally correct in the fact that a character may only perform a single bonus action during their turn.

Not generally correct, always correct -- even if you have more than one bonus action you can do, you are allowed a maximum of one bonus action on your turn.

 

[Hjorimir]

Not generally correct, always correct -- even if you have more than one bonus action you can do, you are allowed a maximum of one bonus action on your turn.

My point was this...

No. Your Action can only perform options in the Action category. If there's a conversion it's explicitly given as an Action you can take. The main example of this is the Dash option which uses your Action for extra movement distance. With no Action listed to gain a Bonus Action, by the RAW it's not an option.

That line in bold - "With no Action listed to gain a Bonus Action..." is not correct. There are tons of bonus actions that do not require any kind of specific action to trigger them. Examples, casting shillelagh, a rogue's Cunning Action, granting somebody Bardic Inspiration, a fighter's Second Wind, etc. I was saying that Kurotowa's general statement of you cannot take more than a single bonus action on your turn is correct, but a part of his statement was misleading. Just trying to be ultra clear for a young player.

 

[GlassJaw]

As others have stated, per RAW, you can't substitute your Action for a Bonus action.

The issue has been discussed in other threads and some have house-ruled that you can as long as the bonus actions are different. While it hasn't come up in my game, I'm inclined to agree. I don't think it would be game-breaking (like a bard giving out an Inspiration die and casting a cantrip with a bonus action).

 

[Shiroiken]

As others have stated, per RAW, you can't substitute your Action for a Bonus action.

The issue has been discussed in other threads and some have house-ruled that you can as long as the bonus actions are different. While it hasn't come up in my game, I'm inclined to agree. I don't think it would be game-breaking (like a bard giving out an Inspiration die and casting a cantrip with a bonus action).

I would always recommend asking the DM. With the guidelines you've listed, I haven't seen anything game breaking yet, but that doesn't mean it isn't out there. I'm open to the notion as a DM, but not carte blanche.

 

[Mistwell]

I agree with glassjaw. Technically no you're not allowed to, but I don't think it would hurt anything if you allowed it. Try it out and let us know how it goes.