Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Elfcrusher Dec 19, 2014 0:15:58	Was there ever an official ruling on the shield master feat?  In the absence of one, my interpretation (and the one I'm trying to sell to my DM) is:   1) The definition of bonus action does say you can use it any time during your turn. 2) The description of the feat does not specify after the attack; it just says "When you take the Attack action" (not "when you make an attack") 3) Other feats and abilities sometimes specifiy that something must happen before or after, so the absence in this feat is notable.   Thoughts?  Links to official tweets?
#2 EzechielDantan Dec 19, 2014 3:39:17	It seems obviously similar to two-weapon fighting, it doesnt matter whether you attack with your shield first or with your weapon first but you take the attack action that round if you decide to use the bonus action it becomes part of the attack action. Use it whenever you want before after or in between attacks, moves whatever.
#3 Plaguescarred4 Dec 19, 2014 3:52:46	It can be before or after since it doesn't specify.
#4 Noctaem Dec 19, 2014 4:43:10	Plaguescarred4 wrote:
#5 Kalani Dec 19, 2014 7:15:46	The only stipulation is that you must take the "Attack action" on your turn. If the PC uses their bonus action to shove an enemy, it locks them into the "Attack action". They could not shove someone and then cast a spell (Cast a Spell action), ready an Action (Readied Action), Dash, Disengage, etc.   To put it another way, I like to consider the Bonus Action as occuring at some point during the character's "Attack Action".   Whether the shove occurs before/after the character makes any attack(s) during that action is irrelevant and is consistent with the rule that allows players to move before/during/after their Attack Action.   The following flowchart should help ease any confusion surrounding this.   During their Turn Player announces they wish to take the Attack action.  Turn proceeds to the "Attack action" window During this window, the player can move, attack, or use any ability/feature that can be taken as part of an Attack action.   Player announces they wish to use their shield master feat to shove an enemy as a bonus action. Despite not having made a single attack, this is a valid option as the character is currently taking the Attack action, and therefore meets the requirements. Upon resolving the shove, the character can then move, and attack in any sequence. End of "Attack action".    Once the player has resolved their attack(s) and moved the desired distance, the player's Attack action ends. It remains their turn however, but they can no longer use features/abilities that can only be taken during the Attack action (including, but not limited to: extra attacks and the shield master bonus action).
#6 Noctaem Dec 19, 2014 7:35:11	Kalani wrote:
#7 Kalani Dec 19, 2014 7:35:49	I personally believe that a majority of confusion surrounding the various actions would have been eliminated had they used bold text to highlight the various Action keywords. Unfortunately, while capitalizing all actions (identifying them as defined terms, and by extension - treating them as proper nouns), it is causing a great deal of confusion within the gaming community.   Making an attack =/= Taking the Attack action.   The first is simply an action you take. The latter is a defined game term (which is a type of proper noun).    How much less confusing would it have been if it had instead said: When you take the Attack action, you can use your shield to shove a creature as a bonus action.  Such language clearly identifies the important keywords, and helps eliminate confusion.    While I applaud the dev's attempt to use "plain english", in my personal experience as a game developer myself - I find that plain english creates situations of ambiguity which can be easily avoided by simply making certain to avoid re-using terms.   This problem could have been easily avoided completely had the Dev's chosen two separate terms for both options. For example Attack action and strike Melee/Ranged action and attack. Offense action and attack. It would have caused zero confusion had they instead worded it with either of the above options (or any of a half-dozen variants).   For example: Shield Master: When you take the Melee or Ranged action, you can shove a creature as a bonus action. TWF: When you take the Melee action, you can make one attack with your offhand weapon as a bonus action.  Crossbow Expert: When you take the Melee or Ranged action, you can make one attack with a hand crossbow as a bonus action. Even without using bold text to highlight the various keywords, my variant language eliminates all confusion.
#8 Coredump00 Dec 19, 2014 23:54:57	It is part of the games heritage....     http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0012.html
#9 guachi Dec 20, 2014 6:50:39	I tweeted Mr. Crawford a month or so ago about this very topic and didn't get a response. I'll tweet him again after the holidays and see what he says.