Sacrosanct
Legend
I don't think the familiar helping is too overpowered, because all the enemy has to do is SWAT it. Bye bye familiar 1 HP doesn't last long lol
D&D 5E Help Action? Most underrated rule?
- Thread starter Sacrosanct
- Start date
TarionzCousin
Second Most Angelic Devil Ever
If I were DM'ing 5E I would allow it as a distraction, but not as a feint. It would make the familiar more useful to the rest of the party.
But to me, the rule as written indicates the familiar cannot attack. "Help" is an action in the "Actions in Combat" section of the PHB.
Are not all of the actions listed in the PHP in the "Actions in Combat" section?
Bayonet
First Post
How exactly does the Help action work in melee combat?
I mean, can picture Helping someone climb a statue (your barb gives them a shove as they scramble up) or Helping someone heal a comrade (Your bard hands the cleric any equipment she needs, etc.).... but how does that translate to Helping a guy swing an axe?
I mean, can picture Helping someone climb a statue (your barb gives them a shove as they scramble up) or Helping someone heal a comrade (Your bard hands the cleric any equipment she needs, etc.).... but how does that translate to Helping a guy swing an axe?
Help: "Alternately, you can aid a friendly creature in attacking a creature within five feet of you. You feint, distract the target, or in some other way team up to make your ally's attack more effective."
TarionzCousin
Second Most Angelic Devil Ever
Yes. That might complicate the issue.
The PHB specifically mentions feinting or causing a distraction as ways to Help an ally in combat.
I don't see how it complicates anything at all. I think it clears things up.
To me, it's clear that Familiars can use the help action in and out of combat, which seems super powerful at first glance. For you, you might want to discuss it with your DM, or if you're running a table, try it out and see how it works in play.
But like most instances I've found in 5th edition, upon reflection I think it is probably just fine. A familiar helping in combat (and out of combat) will be limited by the creature's form (no, that raven can't assist you in picking those locks- it cannot use thieve's tools, no it can't help you pass that athletics check to jump the chasm, yes that raven can help distract the bugbear by flying at its face, etc) And in combat, you'll probably get one or two uses out of it before an annoyed monster simply swats it out of existence. It really falls under the purview of the DM as to what you can and can't do. At my table, I'd allow it. And if the wizard is tossing his familiar into the fray to give the fighter a last ditch effort with advantage, he's probably pulling out all the stops in a really tense and exciting fight.
To me, it's clear that Familiars can use the help action in and out of combat, which seems super powerful at first glance. For you, you might want to discuss it with your DM, or if you're running a table, try it out and see how it works in play.
But like most instances I've found in 5th edition, upon reflection I think it is probably just fine. A familiar helping in combat (and out of combat) will be limited by the creature's form (no, that raven can't assist you in picking those locks- it cannot use thieve's tools, no it can't help you pass that athletics check to jump the chasm, yes that raven can help distract the bugbear by flying at its face, etc) And in combat, you'll probably get one or two uses out of it before an annoyed monster simply swats it out of existence. It really falls under the purview of the DM as to what you can and can't do. At my table, I'd allow it. And if the wizard is tossing his familiar into the fray to give the fighter a last ditch effort with advantage, he's probably pulling out all the stops in a really tense and exciting fight.
I like the Help action...I just think it needs more restrictions.
Having a 1hp owl repeatedly 'help' against some big bad monster doesn't make much sense.
Having the sorcerer with -1 wisdom 'help' the cleric with his +8 medicine check...
etc.
The 'help' should not be automatic for every creature and every action...
Having a 1hp owl repeatedly 'help' against some big bad monster doesn't make much sense.
Having the sorcerer with -1 wisdom 'help' the cleric with his +8 medicine check...
etc.
The 'help' should not be automatic for every creature and every action...
billd91
Not your screen monkey (he/him) 🇺🇦🇵🇸🏳️⚧️
Why should it be restricted? Why can't that owl keep twittering around the big bad monster's head? If the big bad monster is sick of it, it knows what it needs to do to stop that freakin' owl.
And why can't a sorcerer help the cleric by applying pressure, offering an extra set of hands to prep and cut bandages?
Obviously, there are cases in which help should not be possible. But why not look for reasonable ways PCs can help each other rather than assume they can't?
