Monster Partial Mutiattack

[beaumontsebos]

If a monster uses its multiattack, must it use all the attacks?

For example: a creatures multiattack allows it to attack twice with its fists, grapple and then bite. Can it just attack twice with its fists and not do the rest of the multiattack?

Or... could it attack twice with its fists, NOT grapple, but still bite?

 

[jaelis]

Yes, it can decide to forgo one or more attacks if it wants.

 

[beaumontsebos]

Thanks! Do you know where this is noted officially, if it is?

Yes, it can decide to forgo one or more attacks if it wants.

 

[Hjorimir]

I think this is an implicit ruling, which means you could argue it if you wanted to. It's certainly how I'd rule it. Would you require a 5th level fighter to attack twice if they only wanted to attack once?

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

In the introduction section of the Monster Manual where it covers what a multiattack is it says "A creature that can make multiple attacks on its turn has the Multiattack ability." (emphasis mine).

Given that 5th edition's rules are written in "casual language" and are meant to do only what they say they do, nothing more, I'd say that clearly means there is no requirement to perform all attacks outlined by a multiattack action.