D&D 5E Getting a Handle on 5E Rules

[pukunui]

I'm wondering if the Player's Handbook goes into more detail in this regard? At this point, I'll assume that the BRs were pulled from other complete documents and will rely on the same rambling method of presentation.

Yes. The 5e designers appear to have deliberately gone out of their way to make sure 5e resembles 4e as little as possible. So instead of using shorthand things like symbols, keywords and bullet points, they've opted for always using full sentences and "natural language", which occasionally results in some awkward grammatical gymnastics (eg. Sneak Attack).

BTW, strictly speaking, making a perception check (or any other kind of skill check) is not an Action because it's not something that your character does. It's a mechanic that the players use to resolve the results of an action, just as rolling for damage or making a saving throw are not in themselves actions.

It depends on the circumstances. If the DM calls for a perception check to see if someone has noticed something in passing, then no, it wouldn't use your action. However, if you state that your character is actively looking for something, then yes, making the check would use your action.

 

[Jaelommiss]

BTW, strictly speaking, making a perception check (or any other kind of skill check) is not an Action because it's not something that your character does. It's a mechanic that the players use to resolve the results of an action, just as rolling for damage or making a saving throw are not in themselves actions.

On the whole, I agree. I was specifically referring to the Search action (PHB, 193), but had forgotten the name and exact mechanical effects.

 

[Ovinomancer]

I'm wondering if it's worth the clarification, but here goes anyway.

You don't get a bonus action on your turn, you can take up to 1 bonus action, if available. I recognize that's sounds like a distinction without a difference, but it's a subtle but important point. If you don't have a class feature or circumstance that gives you a bonus action, you don't have a bonus action. Example: a 1st level fighter doesn't have a bonus action granted by his class. Assuming his race doesn't grant one either, the fighter just flat out won't have a bonus action on his turn. If he decides to wield two light weapons, though, doing so now grants him a bonus action attack if he take the attack action during his turn (he can take the attack action after the bonus action, just so long as he takes it -- timing isn't strict in this case). He can choose to take that bonus action or not as he wants to. If he doesn't take that action, he doesn't have a bonus action on his turn. If one of his weapons is dropped, he also loses the choice to take the bonus action. If he gains a bonus action from another source while dual wielding, he can choose which to take (or none at all), but can take, at a maximum, only one bonus action on his turn.

Bonus actions are entirely conditional -- they don't exist unless you have an ability or circumstance that grants one, so it's strictly improper to say that you have 1 bonus action on your turn. You may have up to 1 bonus action on your turn, but that's determined by circumstance and not something you just get on your turn.

Sorry, it's definitely a nit picked, but I found it helped me better understand the turn structure when it was explained to me this way. Maybe it will for you, as well.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

In one turn, I get 1 Action- that action can be a regular spell, a Cantrip, or a physical attack.

Sounds like you basically get it, but as others have said, don't feel limited in your actions. Pages 71-72 of the Basic Rules list 10 specific actions you can take. Beyond that you can do anything your DM lets you. The rules actively encourage this in the "Improvising an Action" sidebar. It can be an adjustment, but changing player mindset from "here is a list of my options" to, "What do I want to do?" and letting the DM decide how it happens is a great way to play this edition. It can still be useful to record on a character sheet the specific class-based actions and features that your character in particular can do that go beyond what anyone can do, but do not feel limited by them. Sometimes shoving someone or swinging on a chandelier are better choices.

For example, I've searched through the BRs for every occurrence of the term "bonus action" and the only place where it's mentioned as a class characteristic is for fighter.

I think others have hit this already, but this is by intentional design. You aren't supposed to think of having a list of options for bonus actions available, and having "your bonus action" in the turn with which you use one of the available actions. You are instead supposed to completely forget about bonus actions unless a specific game feature gives your character one. If it does, the feature itself tells you pretty much everything you need to know about how to use it.

If applied by the group, I think this mental framework can be good for the game because it means turns are less likely to be slowed down by players trying to decide what to do with "their bonus action."

...Example: a 1st level fighter doesn't have a bonus action granted by his class...

I agree with the excellent rules clarifications, but for the benefit of the newer player I'll point out that fighters actually do have a bonus action granted by their 1st level features (Second Wind).

 

[Ancalagon]

It's also important to recognize that "abilities" (fighting styles, spells etc) that can be used as a bonus action are great (because more actions is always better) *but*, once your character has grown in level/power, that bonus action you are taking means you may not be able to take another, more useful bonus action. It's why I'm a bit weary of two weapon fighting...

 

[Ancalagon]

AAAAND speaking of two weapon fighting:

the rules says "you can use a bonus action to attack". It doesn't say "take an attack action" or "make an attack". Just "attack". If you have a high level fighter, does this mean that this bonus attack is a multi-attack, or is it a single strike?

 

[BoldItalic]

AAAAND speaking of two weapon fighting:

the rules says "you can use a bonus action to attack". It doesn't say "take an attack action" or "make an attack". Just "attack". If you have a high level fighter, does this mean that this bonus attack is a multi-attack, or is it a single strike?

It's a single attack.

Also, an Attack of Opportunity using your Reaction is a single attack.

 

[Ovinomancer]

It's a single attack.

Also, an Attack of Opportunity using your Reaction is a single attack.

As is a Readied action using your Reaction.