D&D 5E (2024) Cleave+GWM Feat

[Zardnaar]

So the GWM feat adds tour proficiency bonus to damage if the attack is part of an attack action.

Cleave attack doesn't specify but it can be triggered by sn attack action. Does the extra damage apply to the cleave attack?

I recommended the barbarian player record his attacks like this.
18 str, +1 weapon

+7 to hit 1d12+ 7 damage
Cleave +7 1d12 +1(or 3?)
Hew +7 1d12+ 5 damage

Raging+2 damage
Frenzy +2d6 damage first attack that hits.

Not sure about cleave. Stars aligned and one round he got 62 damage with 3 attacks at 4th lvl.

 

[bedir than]

GWM wording that matters

When you hit a creature with a weapon that has the Heavy property as part of the Attack action on your turn, you can cause the weapon to deal extra damage to the target. The extra damage equals your Proficiency Bonus.

Cleave wording that matters

If you hit a creature with a melee attack roll using this weapon, you can make a melee attack roll with the weapon against a second creature within 5 feet of the first that is also within your reach.

I'd say that when Cleave secondary blow is part of the attack action, yes. Meaning not as part of an Opportunity Attack or Bonus Action.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

The wording of cleave is vague - it says it does the weapon’s damage, which suggests “only” but only specifically excludes damage from the ability score. However GWM seems pretty clear that it only does the extra damage once, so you could only use it on the cleave if you didn’t use it on the original attack, making it very situational.

On the whole, I would be inclined to rule that the extra damage only applies to the original attack.

 

[Zardnaar]

The wording of cleave is vague - it says it does the weapon’s damage, which suggests “only” but only specifically excludes damage from the ability score. However GWM seems pretty clear that it only does the extra damage once, so you could only use it on the cleave if you didn’t use it on the original attack, making it very situational.

On the whole, I would be inclined to rule that the extra damage only applies to the original attack.

GWM is per attack with attack action. And hasted.

Cleave seems ambiguous its not a reaction or bonus action. Doesn't say its not attack action but it can be triggered by attack action so no idea.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

GWM is per attack with attack action. And hasted.

Cleave seems ambiguous its not a reaction or bonus action. Doesn't say its not attack action but it can be triggered by attack action so no idea.

It’s comparable to the extra attack granted by Nick, which also omits the ability bonus (unless).

 

[Plaguescarred]

Cleave Mastery has no reference whatsoever to the Attack action, presumably so it can be used during any action, Bonus Action or Reaction.

Horde Breaker is in similar place.

An exemple of a game feature specifically saying it makes the extra attack of the Light property as part of the Attack action is Nick Mastery.

 

[Zardnaar]

Cleave Mastery doesn't say it's made as part of the Attack action like Nick Mastery does, presumably so it can be used during any action, Bonus Action or Reaction.

I'm leaning towards no.

 

[ECMO3]

I think it is pretty clear RAW:

"If you hit a creature with a melee attack roll using this weapon, you can make a melee attack roll with the weapon against a second creature within 5 feet of the first that is also within your reach. On a hit, the second creature takes the weapon’s damage, but don’t add your ability modifier to that damage unless that modifier is negative. You can make this extra attack only once per turn."


The only thing it talks about is your ability modifier, so any other damage riders (Rage, Magic bonus, Hex etc).

You would not get Frenzy because that only works on the first creature you hit, which by definition is not the one you cleave.

If you cleaved as part of the attack action GWM would apply. If you used something like Truestrike or an AOO or Battlemagic GWM would not apply.

 

[Zardnaar]

I think it is pretty clear RAW:

"If you hit a creature with a melee attack roll using this weapon, you can make a melee attack roll with the weapon against a second creature within 5 feet of the first that is also within your reach. On a hit, the second creature takes the weapon’s damage, but don’t add your ability modifier to that damage unless that modifier is negative. You can make this extra attack only once per turn."


The only thing it talks about is your ability modifier, so any other damage riders (Rage, Magic bonus, Hex etc).

You would not get Frenzy because that only works on the first creature you hit, which by definition is not the one you cleave.

If you cleaved as part of the attack action GWM would apply. If you used something like Truestrike or an AOO or Battlemagic GWM would not apply.

Other relevant part is the GWM feat.

 

[ECMO3]

Other relevant part is the GWM feat.

Like I said if you cleaved on an attack action it would apply RAW.