D&D 5E (2014) messy's 5e newbie questions thread

[BluejayJunior]

Ah, I see they Sage Adviced this one. However, their wording still isn't airtight:

Two-Weapon Fighting (under melee attacks, not the fighting style, not the feat) says "When you take the Attack action and attack with a light melee weapon that you're holding in one hand, you can use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee weapon that you're holding in the other hand."

It says when you take the attack action you can use a bonus action. It doesn't say you can use a bonus action if you have not already used one on your turn. I'd even read it to mean that if you have spells and want to cast healing word as a bonus action, then attack with your action, you'd still get the off-hand attack, because it's automatically granted. I'd argue that the specific rule for two-weapon fighting trumps the general cap on bonus actions.

If they really want to eliminate the controversy they need to add a sentence in the PHB like "NOTE: Action Surge does not grant a second bonus action off-hand attack for two-weapon fighting."

I certainly haven't seen that interpretation before. You only get one bonus action per turn. period. Two weapon fighting just gives you something to use that bonus action for. If it worked like you are arguing, then the limit on bonus actions would be pointless, because every specific example would trump it.
Everything obeys the general rule, unless a specific rule says otherwise. The rules for two-weapon fighting don't need to specify that you can't do it if you've already used a bonus action for something else. Instead, the rule would specifically tell you if this did not count for the number of bonus actions you are allowed.

 

[delph]

46) BattleMaster manouver Evasive Footwork - what mean "until you stop moving"? When i take move in every turn and don't do anything else? Or i make move in every turn and can make attack? Or only in part of my turn when I take move and stop when i start to do anything else (attack)?

 

[Paul Farquhar]

46) BattleMaster manouver Evasive Footwork - what mean "until you stop moving"? When i take move in every turn and don't do anything else? Or i make move in every turn and can make attack? Or only in part of my turn when I take move and stop when i start to do anything else (attack)?

Now that is a good question. I've never seen anyone take this ability, but read literally the AC bonus would only apply to attacks of opportunity triggered by your movement. Which is really really bad.

 

[delph]

Now that is a good question. I've never seen anyone take this ability, but read literally the AC bonus would only apply to attacks of opportunity triggered by your movement. Which is really really bad.

best compromise is IMHO use it with "until the start of your next turn" because use it only when you move to avoid attacks are much better features in game and "unlimited" use when you just need take a move in every round is too powerful.

 

[messy]

47. armor seems to be an exception to the proficiency rule, in that proficiency in armor doesn't add your proficiency bonus to anything. is this correct?

48. if i'm understanding correctly, a spellcaster can have a spell component pouch OR a focus, and they serve the same function. is this correct?

 

[TheCosmicKid]

47. armor seems to be an exception to the proficiency rule, in that proficiency in armor doesn't add your proficiency bonus to anything. is this correct?

48. if i'm understanding correctly, a spellcaster can have a spell component pouch OR a focus, and they serve the same function. is this correct?

Yes to both.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

48. if i'm understanding correctly, a spellcaster can have a spell component pouch OR a focus, and they serve the same function. is this correct?

Yes, but there is a slight qualification in that you need the actual component listed rather than a pouch or focus if it has a monetary value. You must also have a class feature that allows you to use a focus. E.g. Eldritch Knights must use a component pouch as this class does not have the spellcasting focus feature.

There are also a couple of spells (Booming Blade, Green Flame Blade) that list "weapon" as the material component. It's not explicitly stated, but the implication is that this must be the weapon you attack with as part of the spell. So maybe a wand isn't the best option here.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

47. armor seems to be an exception to the proficiency rule, in that proficiency in armor doesn't add your proficiency bonus to anything. is this correct?

Yes. It should also be noted that you can put on armor you are not proficient in, but you cannot cast spells when you do so.

 

[MarkB]

Yes. It should also be noted that you can put on armor you are not proficient in, but you cannot cast spells when you do so.

Plus you have massive penalties - disadvantage to any attack, saving throw or skill check based upon Strength or Dexterity.

So if you're building a prison for criminal mages, an effective way to suppress their abilities is to padlock them into suits of plate armour.

 

[Salthorae]

48. if i'm understanding correctly, a spellcaster can have a spell component pouch OR a focus, and they serve the same function. is this correct?

There is also the caveat that you can't always use the same focus for your spells even within the same traditions (arcane or divine) if you're multiclass. There are times where exception rules allow you to use something else as a focus for spells, one of the easiest example is College of Swords bard who is multiclassed as a sorcerer.

College of Swords lets you use a simple or martial weapon as your spellcasting focus for bard spells. But your sorcerer spells would require a different focus or component pouch to cast Material component spells still.

Also if you spell has a costly component or one that is consumed, you still have to have those on you, they are not replaced with a focus.