Spells with cast time of bonus actions

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

zgrose

Jul 04, 2014 13:32:07

Basic Rules pg 79:

A spell cast with a bonus action is especially swift. You must use a bonus action on
your turn to cast the spell, provided that you haven't already taken a bonus action.

 

Healing Word is a 1st level Cleric Spell with cast time of 1 bonus action.

 

If I understand correctly (and I may not), a PC doesn't have a bonus action unless some effect/feature gives them one.

 

So a couple questions:

How would a cleric get the opportunity to cast Healing Word since they don't appear to start with any feature that allows for a bonus action.

If a bonus action is so fast, why can't I use a longer action to cast it?

#2

Youngy

Jul 04, 2014 14:45:54 		Bonus action, you get one every round. Equivalent of a 4e Minor action, but named bonus so people don't think they must use it.
#3

zgrose

Jul 04, 2014 15:11:35

You get one but you don't always have one (bolded section below).

 

Basic Rules, pg 69

Bonus Actions
Various class features, spells, and other abilities let you take an additional action. The Cunning Action
feature, for example, allows a rogue to take a bonus action. You can take a bonus action only when 
a special ability, spell, or other feature of the game states that you can do something as a bonus 
action. *You otherwise don't have a bonus action to take.*

So having the spell Healing Word means that the caster has a bonus action available to them (to cast that spell)? I guess I can follow that logic.

#4

jackbytor

Jul 04, 2014 16:11:32

I do believe that is how it works.

#5

E-Tallitnics

Jul 04, 2014 16:58:47

zgrose is absolutely correct. It's a little thing, but Bonus Action is not the same as Minor Action used to be. 

 

If my Fighter is holding a dagger he doesn't have a Bonus Action. If he pulls out a second dagger he suddenly has a Bonus Action because he's ready for Two-Weapon Fighting!

 

The main thing to remember about Bonus Action is that it's a mechanic to cut down on overlapping class features, game mechanics, etc. 

#6

Wuzzard

Jul 04, 2014 19:33:06

You don't have a bonus action.  Certain actions can be done as a bonus action, in addition to your regular action.  You only get to take on bonus action on your turn.

#7

Tichrimo

Jul 04, 2014 19:53:48

I see that the wording of the "bonus action" type is going to cause as much confusion as the 4e "no action" game elements did...

#8

Archon007

Jul 05, 2014 0:24:51

Wuzzard wrote:
#9

Chakrum

Jul 05, 2014 1:34:31

It was quite clear to me. It reminds me of PF swift action. You can only use a bonus action if you have an ability or spell that uses that type of action, and you can only use a bonus action once on your turn. 

#10

zgrose

Jul 05, 2014 13:38:58

The bit that was confusing to me is that spell bonus actions are a bit self-referential in that they require something that you don't have, but requiring it means you do have it!

 

If a sword costs 50g, you need to acquire 50g to purchase it.

When a spell costs a bonus action, you don't need to acquire a bonus action first, the spell gives it to you.

 

Juuust different enough to confuse me. ;)

 

 

 

 

#11

jaelis

Jul 06, 2014 5:26:51

Would it be any better if it said:

"A spell with a casting time of one bonus action is especially swift. You cast it using a bonus action, subject to the usual limit of one bonus action per turn. In addition, you cannot cast another spell during the same turn unless it is a cantrip with a casting time of one action."

 

(Although I also think you should be able to cast a bonus action spell with your regular action if the situation warrants.)

#12

MarcCCTx

Jul 06, 2014 6:59:08

Healing word say it heals "1d4 + your spellcasting ability modifier" does that include your Proficiency bonus?

(Reply to #12)

AaronOfBarbaria

MarcCCTx wrote: