D&D 5E (2024) Using Action Surge to cast spells in 2024

[ECMO3]

So one of my players came up with a workaround today in a game I am DMing. The PC is an Eldritch Knight 6/Sorcerer 9. He used a staff of fire to fireball a group of Gith soldiers and then wanted to use it to action surge cast a wall of fire to prevent them from closing/damage them if they closed.

I told him Wall of Fire requires a Magic Action, even from a Staff and you can't do that with AS. He changed it up - "ok Action Surge and I ready an action to cast Wall of Fire if any of them move closer to us, that is a ready action not a magic action".

I think this is totally within the rules. I gave him a Heroic Inspiration for figuring the workaround and let him do it.

What do you think?

 

[Maxperson]

How did 5.5e change the ready action?

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I am absolutely glad your group is having fun, and I mean no disrespect when I say this: I find that sort of stuff makes my eyes roll. It doesn't make me think, "how clever", it makes me think, "bite me" (or actually much ruder sayings that aren't safe for Eric's Granny.)

But by all means, enjoy your table.

 

[TheSword]

Why would you think that readying an action to cast a spell would be fundamentally different to casting the spell? Surely the only difference is when it takes effect?

 

[TheSword]

I think this is totally within the rules. I gave him a Heroic Inspiration for figuring the workaround and let him do it.

What do you think?

It sounds like a really strange behaviour to reward.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

Why would you think that readying an action to cast a spell would be fundamentally different to casting the spell? Surely the only difference is when it takes effect?

According to the rules they are different. Action Surge allows any action except the Magic Action. Casting the spell on your turn uses the Magic Action, thus is prevented. Taking the Ready Action to concentrate on a spell, then using your Reaction to cast the spell does not the Magic Action, and technically is allowed.

It's a gray enough area that I could easily see some DMs ruling that it's outside their interpretation of Rules As Intended, even if it is within Rules As Written. Personally I don't see a problem with it - you are giving up your Reaction and your Concentration, so you are still taking a somewhat hefty penalty.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

It sounds like a really strange behaviour to reward.

Yeah I was definitely thinking the same thing, but who knows sometimes you just want to award someone for teaching you something new so I could maybe see myself doing the same if I was in a generous mood

 

[DrJawaPhD]

How did 5.5e change the ready action?

There's no change to the Ready Action itself, what changed was Action Surge specifically excluding taking the Magic Action but not being worded broadly enough to prevent using the Ready Action to cast a spell with your Reaction.

 

[Aurel Guthrie]

Can you imagine? "You can take an additional action, except the magic action, or a ready action to cast a spell" it's kind of silly. If the designers had to write around every single workaround the players might find there would be so. much. bloat. in the rules. There's a reason for the "Rules Rely on Good-Faith Interpretation." bit on the DMG

 

[sevenbastard]

I'll give some love to the rules lawyer. It definitely isn't in the spirit of the rules, but they didn't let that stop them and they found a loophole. Bravo. Never give up.

Now that said I wouldn't allow it, but i can appreciate it.