Weapon actions

Weapon actions are actions granted to a character based on the weapon type they are wielding. Usually, these actions are special attacks that are superior in some way to normal attacks. Each weapon type has its own set of weapon actions which helps distinguish weapon categories. For example, Longswords grant the  Lacerate,  Rush Attack, and  Pommel Strike actions. Additionally, many special weapons have unique weapon actions on top of the ones granted by the weapon type.

To access weapon actions from a weapon, the wielder must be proficient in that weapon type and have it equipped in their main hand or both hands. Off-hand weapons do not grant weapon actions.

Unless otherwise specified, each weapon action can be used once per short rest. This limitation is character-specific, not weapon-specific. Therefore, a consumed weapon action cannot be restored by equipping a new weapon, but the same weapon action from a given weapon type can be used by different characters without taking a short rest. A weapon action is consumed even if the attack misses.

Weapon action DC

Many weapon actions are attacks that can inflict debilitating conditions on the target. For these attacks, the target can make a saving throw to avoid suffering the condition. The Difficulty Class (or DC) for saving throws is calculated similarly to spell save DC except for two differences: First, the spellcasting ability modifier is replaced with the ability score modifier of either Strength or Dexterity, whichever is higher. Second, each weapon action can grant its own inherent bonus DC that is not listed anywhere, but most frequently is +2. To express all this mathematically:

Weapon action DC = 8 + proficiency bonus + Strength or Dexterity modifier + inherent weapon action bonus DC

Certain weapon action instead use a Hybrid DC which allows a user to either use their spell save DC or weapon action DC with a +2 bonus, whichever is higher. Other unique weapon actions always use the spell save DC. In all cases, the type of DC and any inherent bonus is listed in the tables below.

Prior to Patch 5, weapon actions instead had a base DC of 10 but did not add the wielder's proficiency bonus to the DC, leading to an overall lower DC after proficiency bonus increases at level 5. This was changed to the above formula after patch 5.

Basic weapon actions

The following weapon actions are granted by different weapon types. All weapons in given category have the specified weapon actions.

Basic melee weapon actions

Weapon action	Associated weapons	Cost	Effect	Damage
Backbreaker	Warhammers  Mauls	Action	Inflict  Prone  Strength Saving Throw Weapon action DC Duration: 2 turns	1d4 + Strength or Dexterity modifier Inherits weapon damage type
Brace (Melee)	Glaives  Pikes	6 m (20 ft) Movement Speed	Reroll melee damage rolls and take the higher value Duration: 1 turn	-
Cleave	Battleaxes  Greataxes  Halberds  Greatswords	Action	Strike up to 3 targets  AoE: 2 m (7 ft) Cone	Halved weapon damage Any bonus damage is not halved, e.g. from  Divine Smite or  Great Weapon Master
Concussive Smash	Morningstars  Clubs  Light Hammers  Maces  Warhammers  Greatclubs  Mauls  Flails	Action	Inflict  Dazed  Constitution Saving Throw Hybrid DC Duration: 2 turns	Weapon damage
Maiming Strike	War Picks  Battleaxes	Action	Inflict  Maimed  Constitution Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 2 turns	1d4 + Strength or Dexterity modifier Inherits weapon damage type
Disarming Strike	Tridents	Action	Target drops weapon  Strength Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2	1d4 + Strength or Dexterity modifier Inherits weapon damage type
Flourish	Scimitars  Shortswords  Rapiers	Bonus Action	Inflict  Off Balance  Dexterity Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 2 turns	1d4⁠⁠Bludgeoning Non-lethal damage
Heartstopper	Morningstars	Action	Inflict  Chest Trauma  Constitution Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 2 turns	1d4 + Strength or Dexterity modifier Inherits weapon damage type
Lacerate	Handaxes  Sickles  Scimitars  Battleaxes  Longswords  Glaives  Greataxes  Greatswords  Halberds	Action	Inflict  Bleeding  Constitution Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 2 turns	Weapon damage
Piercing Strike	Daggers  Rapiers  Shortswords  Tridents  Pikes  Javelins	Action	Inflict  Gaping Wounds  Constitution Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 2 turns	Weapon damage
Pommel Strike	Longswords  Greatswords	Bonus Action	Inflict  Dazed  Constitution Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 2 turns	1d4⁠⁠Bludgeoning Non-lethal damage
Prepare	Greataxes	6 m (20 ft) Movement Speed	Extra damage on melee attacks this turn	Strength modifier ⁠Slashing
Rush Attack	Longswords  Spears  Tridents  Glaives  Halberds  Pikes	Action +  Movement Speed	Charge up to 9 m (30 ft) away Inflict  Off Balance  Strength Saving Throw Weapon action DC Duration: 2 turns	1d4 + Strength or Dexterity modifier Inherits weapon damage type
Tenacity	Morningstars  Greatclubs  Mauls  Flails	Reaction	Inflict damage on a miss  Recharge: Unlimited use	Strength modifier ⁠Bludgeoning Minimum 1 damage
Topple	Quarterstaves	Action	Inflict  Prone  Dexterity Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 1 turn	1d4⁠⁠Bludgeoning Non-lethal damage
Weakening Strike	Rapiers  War Picks  Warhammers  Flails	Action	Inflict  Weak Grip  Strength Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 2 turns	1d4 + Strength or Dexterity modifier Inherits weapon damage type Non-lethal damage

Basic ranged weapon actions

Weapon action	Associated weapons	Cost	Effect	Damage
Brace (Ranged)	Heavy Crossbows  Longbows	6 m (20 ft) Movement Speed	Reroll ranged damage rolls and take the higher value Duration: 1 turn	-
Hamstring Shot	Shortbows  Longbows	Action	Inflict  Hamstrung  Constitution Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 2 turns	Weapon damage
Mobile Shot	Hand Crossbows	Bonus Action	Make a bonus action attack after using  Dash or  Disengage	Weapon damage
Piercing Shot	Heavy Crossbows  Light Crossbows  Hand Crossbows	Action	Inflict  Gaping Wounds  Constitution Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 2 turns	Weapon damage

Unique weapon actions

The following weapon actions are available only on specific weapons. These actions are granted in addition to the basic weapon actions associated with the weapon category.

Unique melee weapon actions

Weapon action	Associated weapons	Cost	Effect	Damage
Absolute Power	Faithbreaker	Action	Push target back 5 m (17 ft)  Strength Saving Throw Spell save DC	Weapon damage + Strength modifier + 1d6⁠⁠Force
Blood Money	Twist of Fortune	Action	Deal extra damage based on amount of gold carried by the target Target's gold is consumed by this attack	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus per 300 gold
Blood Sacrifice	Ritual Dagger	Bonus Action	Deal 1d4⁠⁠Slashing damage to self. Apply  Bless to self. Duration: 1 turn	-
Colossal Onslaught	Jorgoral's Greatsword	Action	Strike multiple targets in a line  AoE: 6 m (20 ft) Line	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus
Corrosive Strike	Corrosive Flail	Action	Create a pool of  Acid around the target Reduces  Armour Class by 2  AoE: 3 m (10 ft) Radius Duration: 3 turns	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus⁠⁠Acid
Crowning Strike	Blade of Oppressed Souls	Action	Inflict  Crown of Madness  Intelligence Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 3 turns	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus⁠⁠Psychic
Dawnburst Strike	The Sacred Star	Action	Inflict  Blinded in an AoE  Constitution Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2  AoE: 3 m (10 ft) Radius Duration: 3 turns	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus⁠⁠Radiant
Dueller's Enthusiasm	Duellist's Prerogative	Bonus Action	If not dual-wielding, make a bonus attack with this weapon  Recharge: Per turn	Weapon damage
Edge of Darkness	Shar's Spear of Evening	Action	Create a cloud of  Darkness and hit every target inside  AoE: 3 m (10 ft) Radius Duration: 3 turns	Weapon damage
Gargantuan Cleave	Very Heavy Greataxe	Action	Strike up to 3 targets  AoE: 2 m (7 ft) Cone Inflict  Off Balance on self Duration: 1 turn	Half weapon damage + 1d6⁠⁠Slashing Bonus damage such as from  Great Weapon Master is not halved
Grand Slam	Corpsegrinder	Action	Damage and push away enemies in an AoE Push equal to normal  Shove distance  Dexterity Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2  AoE: 3 m (10 ft) Radius	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus⁠⁠Thunder
Hellflame Cleave	Hellfire Greataxe	Action	Strike multiple targets and inflict  Roiling Hellfire  Dexterity Saving Throw Spell save DC  AoE: 3 m (10 ft) Cone Creates  Hellfire surface	Weapon damage + 2d6⁠⁠Fire
Hush You!	Witchbreaker	Action	Inflict  Silenced  Constitution Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 2 turns	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus
Moonlight Butterflies	Moonlight Glaive	Action	Create  Moonlight Butterflies area Provides  Advantage against creatures inside  AoE: 2 m (7 ft) Radius Duration: 3 turns	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus + Proficiency bonus⁠⁠Psychic
Part the Flesh	Fleshrender	Action	Inflict  Rended Flesh  Constitution Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 3 turns	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus⁠⁠Necrotic
Perfectly Balanced Strike	Belm	Bonus Action	Make an attack with your main-hand weapon If Belm is equipped in your offhand, the attack will not be made with Belm.  Recharge: Per turn	Weapon damage
Phalar Aluve: Shriek	Phalar Aluve	Action	Create aura that debuffs nearby enemies Affected enemies take 1d4⁠⁠Thunder extra damage when attacked Affected enemies take -1d4 penalty to all saving throws  AoE: 6 m (20 ft) Radius Duration: 5 turns	-
Phalar Aluve: Sing	Phalar Aluve	Action	Create aura that buffs nearby allies Affected allies get 1d4 bonus to attack rolls and saving throws  AoE: 6 m (20 ft) Radius Duration: 5 turns	-
Poison Mist	Argument Solver	Action	Create a  Poison Cloud which inflicts  Poisoned  Constitution Saving Throw Spell save DC  AoE: 1.5 m (5 ft) Radius Duration: 3 turns	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus + Proficiency bonus⁠⁠Poison
Profane Scourge	The Undead Bane	Action	Inflict  Bane on undead and fiends  Strength Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 3 turns Has no effect on other creature types	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus + 2d6⁠⁠Slashing (only vs. undead and fiends)
Razor Gale	Larethian's Wrath	Action	Strike all enemies in a large cone  AoE: 4 m (13 ft) Cone	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus
Revitalising Strike	Hoppy	Action	Heal yourself 1d6⁠⁠Hit Points	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus⁠⁠Necrotic
Searing Blood	Rupturing Blade	Action	Inflict  Burning and  Bleeding  Constitution Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 2 turns The two conditions have separate saving throws Deal 1d6⁠⁠Slashing to self	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus⁠⁠Fire + 1d6⁠⁠Fire
Soulbreaker	Soulbreaker Greatsword Silver Sword of the Astral Plane	Action	Inflict  Stunned  Constitution Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 2 turns	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus⁠⁠Psychic
Shadowsoaked Blow	Sword of Clutching Umbra Justiciar's Scimitar	Action	Can attack without losing  Hiding	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus + 1d6⁠⁠Psychic
Topple the Big Folk	Balduran's Giantslayer	Action	Inflict  Prone to large or greater targets  Strength Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 2 turns	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus + 2d6 (if target is large or greater)
Unshackling Strike	Orphic Hammer	Action	Remove  Restrained,  Paralysed, and  Stunned  Recharge: Unlimited use	-
Whirlwind Attack	The Dancing Breeze Belm	Action	Hit all enemies in a radius  AoE: 2 m (7 ft) Radius	Weapon damage
Zephyr Break	Nyrulna	Action	Hit all creatures in a line. Inflict  Off Balance and push the targets back 5 m (17 ft)  Strength Saving Throw Spell save DC  AoE: 12 m (40 ft) Line Duration: 2 turns Deals half damage on successful save	6d6⁠⁠Thunder
Zephyr Flash	Nyrulna	Action	Rush forward up to 12 m (40 ft) hitting all enemies in the way. Inflict  Bleeding and push the targets back 2 m (7 ft)  DC 15 Dexterity Saving Throw Duration: 3 turns Deals half damage on successful save	6d8⁠⁠Thunder

Unique ranged weapon actions

Weapon action	Associated weapons	Cost	Effect	Damage
Arcane Ammunition	Crossbow of Arcane Force	Bonus Action	Increase damage of this weapon by 1d4⁠⁠Force Duration: 1 turn	-
Blinding Shot	Least Expected	Action	Inflict  Blinded  Constitution Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 2 turns	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus
Bolt of Celestial Light	Gontr Mael	Action	Increase damage of this weapon by 1d4⁠⁠Radiant Duration: 10 turns Inflict  Frightened  Wisdom Saving Throw Weapon action DC Duration: 2 turns	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus + 1d8⁠⁠Radiant
Illuminating Shot	Fabricated Arbalest	Bonus Action	Inflict  Radiating Orb Duration: 2 turns  Recharge: Unlimited use	1d4⁠⁠Piercing Does not benefit from most damage bonuses including  Sharpshooter
Pushing Attack	Titanstring Bow	Action	Push target back 4.5 m (15 ft)  Strength Saving Throw Weapon action DC	Weapon damage
Reposition Malefactor	Hellfire Engine Crossbow	Action	Pull target 9 m (30 ft) towards you  DC 15 Dexterity Saving Throw  Recharge: Unlimited use	Half weapon damage Does not benefit from most damage bonuses including  Sharpshooter
Sacred Munitions	Gandrel's Aspiration	Bonus Action	Enchant this weapon to inflict  Turned against undead Buff lasts 1 turn  Turned lasts 3 turns With  Destroy Undead, attacks do 4d6⁠⁠Radiant bonus damage against undead	-

NPC-specific weapon actions

These weapon actions are attached to weapons which are normally only available to – and only carried by – certain creatures. As such, the only way for a player character to access these weapon actions without exploits is to summon a creature which wields the associated weapon.

Weapon action	Associated weapons	Cost	Effect	Damage
Electrified Flail	Flail of the Vortex	Action	Inflict  Stunned  DC 13 Constitution Saving Throw Duration: 2 turns  Recharge: Unlimited use	Weapon damage + 1d10⁠⁠Lightning
Hiemal Strike	Trident of the Depths	Action	Inflict  Chilled  DC 13 Constitution Saving Throw Duration: 2 turns  Recharge: Unlimited use	Weapon damage + 1d10⁠⁠Cold
Overheat	Azer Warhammer	Bonus Action	Inflict  Burning Fiercely in an AoE  DC 15 Constitution Saving Throw  AoE: 2 m (7 ft) Radius Duration: 3 turns	1d10⁠⁠Fire
Scorching Strike	Scimitar of Cinder	Action	Inflict  Burning  DC 13 Constitution Saving Throw Duration: 2 turns  Recharge: Unlimited use	Weapon damage + 1d10⁠⁠Fire

Inaccessible weapon actions

These weapon actions are attached to weapons that are no longer accessible through normal gameplay; they still can be accessed via third party tools.

Weapon action	Associated weapons	Cost	Effect	Damage
Blink-of-an-eye Bolt	Light Crossbow of Speed	Bonus Action	Make a bonus action attack with this weapon  Recharge: Per turn	Weapon damage
Bloodrender	The Impaler	Action	Apply  Bloodrender to self Duration: 3 turns	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus
Frigid Blade	Allandra's Whelm	Action	Inflict  Frostbitten  Constitution Saving Throw Weapon action DC + 2 Duration: 3 turns	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus⁠⁠Cold
Headcrack	Sling	Action	Inflict  Dazed  Constitution Saving Throw Weapon action DC Duration: 2 turns	Weapon damage Non-lethal damage
Press the Advantage	Combination Axe	Bonus Action	After scoring a critical hit, can make a bonus action attack with your main hand weapon	Weapon damage
Steadfast Strike	Steadfast Maul	Action	Additional effect not implemented	Weapon damage + Proficiency bonus

Conditions inflicted by weapon actions

Condition	Inflicted by / Saving Throw	Saving Throw Penalty	Additional Effects	Removed by
Bleeding	Lacerate (CON)	Constitution	Inflicts 2 ⁠Slashing per turn for 2 turns	Healing
Chest Trauma	Heartstopper (CON)	Constitution	One fewer  Action for 2 turns	Healing
Maimed	Crippling Strike (CON)	Dexterity	Movement Speed reduced to 0	Healing
Dazed	Concussive Smash (CON) Pommel Strike (CON)	Wisdom	Can't take reactions, loses Dexterity bonus to  Armour Class	Ally Help
Gaping Wounds	Piercing Shot (CON) Piercing Strike (CON)	-	Receive additional 2 ⁠Piercing damage from attacks for 2 turns	Healing
Hamstrung	Hamstring Shot (CON)	-	Movement Speed halved	Healing
Off Balance	Rush Attack (STR) Flourish (DEX)	Strength Dexterity	Advantage to attackers	Ally Help or taking damage
Prone	Topple (STR) Backbreaker (DEX)	Strength Dexterity	Advantage to nearby attackers	Using half of Movement Speed
Weak Grip	Weakening Strike (STR)	Strength Dexterity	Disadvantage on attacks	Ally Help

Bugs

Due to an incorrectly coded conditional check, NPCs can never use basic weapon actions (except for Tenacity) in any difficulty mode.