D&D 5E Can I use action surge in the middle of another action (between attacks when attacking with extra attack)?

[ezo]

Firstly, this is about breaking up movement, not your action. It has nothing to do with action, other than you can move incrementally before or after, and in the cast of Attacks, inbetween. This is done solely to illustrate that when attacking, you are permitted to move inbetween attacks by default. Nothing stated even implies prohibiting other actions during the Attack action. It is entirely up to the DM.

It is also important to realize that things "in the game" are not happening in static "stop/start" motions.

Consider an example of a PC with sword drawn running to engage a foe, his other hand is empty.

1. I move 5 feet to be within 20 feet so I can throw the dagger without disadvantage due to the range.
2. Drawing the dagger as a free object interaction, I throw the dagger using my Attack action.
3. I move 20 feet to engage the target in melee.
4. I attack with my sword using Extra Attack.

The second part of the "action" doesn't mean my PC actually "stops" to throw, but is more likely the throw is done as I am moving.

 

[Bayushi_seikuro]

So? We know things can happen between those attacks. Movement can happen, reactions can happen. I'm saying that I don't see where it says other things can't happen between those attacks.

I'm not sure what this has to do with the question at hand. Bonus action spells aren't about doing things in the middle of other actions, they're about one action limiting what other actions can be taken after the first action is complete.

Well, a quick google of actions between attacks brings up Tavern Brawler, it SPECIFICALLY says you insert the bonus Grapple because it's triggered on the hit. Shield Master doesn't have the clause of causing the shove during the attack action.

Movement is SPECIFICALLY and literally spelled out as being something you can do in between the attacks of Extra Attack,

 

[aco175]

Is there anything with looking at a spell like eldritch blast and higher level when there are multiple beams. At 5th level you make two beams. You can direct them at different targets and make an attack for each. Sounds a lot like extra attack. It is one action but duration is instantaneous. Can I move between the bolts, or do they fire all at once? Do I declare targets at casting or can I wait until I see the effect of the first to determine if I need to shoot that guy again? Does this have anything to do with the attack action?

 

[Clint_L]

I don't think allowing action surge mid-action, for extra attack specifically, is OP or explicitly against the rules, so I would allow it. I don't love it, because I think it is inelegant and might confuse the narrative for some folks a bit, but that really depends on the group. My group is not very rules focused, so it's unlikely to come up anyway.

I didn't explain myself well: it's a bit "game-ish" for my taste, but I don't think it's against the rules.

 

[p_johnston]

So i have two thoughts on this. Reading the book do i think the rules intend for it to be allowed? No. My personal interpratation of them is that the multiple attacks must be taken together unless something states it can come between them (movement, reactions, etc). So if im trying to follow all the rules exactly to the best of my ability its a no.

That being said its a grey area, its not game breaking, and it'll make the player feel cool so in game I'd probably let it happen.

 

[ezo]

Reading the book do i think the rules intend for it to be allowed? No.

Out of curiousity, what reference in the book make you think this way?

 

[ichabod]

Well, a quick google of actions between attacks brings up Tavern Brawler, it SPECIFICALLY says you insert the bonus Grapple because it's triggered on the hit. Shield Master doesn't have the clause of causing the shove during the attack action.

Movement is SPECIFICALLY and literally spelled out as being something you can do in between the attacks of Extra Attack,

Well, reading the Player's Handbook on Tavern Brawler, it DOES NOT say you insert the bonus action. It just says you get a bonus action. By your reading of the rules, that bonus action can't be taken until after the attack action finishes.

 

[ECMO3]

Is there anything with looking at a spell like eldritch blast and higher level when there are multiple beams. At 5th level you make two beams. You can direct them at different targets and make an attack for each. Sounds a lot like extra attack.

No I think this is fundamentally different because you are only casting the spell once, not twice. EB works just like magic missile, you can't fire one missile from magic missile, then move, then fire another.

I get that Eldritch Blast is a lot like extra attack in terms of dice and damage, but it is still a single spell you are casting, while with extra attack you are actually making two different weapon attacks. Also something that prevents extra attack don't care with EB. For example if I use ready action to make an attack or I get an AOO I only make a single attack. However if I ready Eldritch Blast or if an AOO causes Eldritch Blast (say with Warcaster), I get the total number of blasts.

You also can't put a bonus action, reaction or move in the middle of Eldritch Blast.

 

[MarkB]

No I think this is fundamentally different because you are only casting the spell once, not twice. EB works just like magic missile, you can't fire one missile from magic missile, then move, then fire another.

I get that Eldritch Blast is a lot like extra attack in terms of dice and damage, but it is still a single spell you are casting, while with extra attack you are actually making two different weapon attacks. Also something that prevents extra attack don't care with EB. For example if I use ready action to make an attack or I get an AOO I only make a single attack. However if I ready Eldritch Blast or if an AOO causes Eldritch Blast (say with Warcaster), I get the total number of blasts.

You also can't put a bonus action, reaction or move in the middle of Eldritch Blast.

Just how simultaneous is it? If your first attack slays a target, can you direct the second elsewhere, or must you choose each shot's target before making any rolls?

 

[ECMO3]

Just how simultaneous is it? If your first attack slays a target, can you direct the second elsewhere, or must you choose each shot's target before making any rolls?

I don't think there is a first and a second, you decide where they are going when you cast it, just like Magic Missile. So if you direct them at the same enemy and the first one slays it then the second is irrelevant.