When Do Fighters Get A Second Attack

When Do Fighters Get a Second Attack in D&D 5e? Understanding the Action Economy

The question of when a fighter gets a second attack is a common one for new Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e) players, and even experienced players can sometimes get tripped up by the nuances of the action economy. This article will break down exactly when and how a fighter, or any character for that matter, gains that crucial second attack, improving your understanding of combat in D&D 5e. This will cover the core rules and common misunderstandings regarding Extra Attack and other features influencing multiple attacks.

Understanding the Action Economy: Actions, Bonus Actions, and Reactions

Before diving into Extra Attack, it's important to grasp the fundamental mechanics of D&D 5e combat. Each character has a limited number of actions they can perform during their turn:

• Action: Your main action. This is where you'll typically make an attack, cast a spell, use an ability, or take a movement action.
• Bonus Action: A secondary action that some abilities, spells, and class features allow you to perform. You can only use one bonus action per turn.
• Reaction: These are triggered actions performed in response to a specific event, such as an opportunity attack. You can only use one reaction per turn.

The Extra Attack Feature: The Key to Multiple Attacks

The fighter's Extra Attack feature is the primary way a fighter gets a second attack. This feature isn't available from the start; it unlocks at specific levels:

• Level 5: At 5th level, a fighter gains the ability to attack twice whenever they take the Attack action on their turn.
• Higher Levels: At 11th level, the number of attacks increases to three, and this continues to increase if a fighter ever reaches level 20. This effectively means they can use three attacks with the Attack action.

How Extra Attack Works:

Extra Attack applies only to the Attack action. It doesn't apply to bonus actions or reactions. If a fighter uses their action for something other than attacking (like casting a spell or using an ability), they won't get a second attack. The extra attack is additional attacks using the Attack action, not a second turn.

Common Misconceptions and Clarifications:

• Multiple Weapons: While you can attack with multiple weapons, Extra Attack doesn't inherently grant the use of additional weapons. It simply allows for more attacks with the weapon you've already chosen to use. Many fighter subclasses and feats can provide additional attacks with the correct weapons.
• Action Surge: This fighter ability allows the fighter to take an additional action on their turn. This can be used to make another full attack, providing a third attack at lower levels, and many more at higher levels. This does not replace the Extra Attack feature. It augments it.
• Other Class Features: Some other class features or spells might allow for additional attacks. These are usually bonus actions or reaction based and don't directly replace the core Extra Attack feature.

Optimizing Your Attacks:

To maximize your damage output, consider these factors:

• Weapon Choice: Select weapons with high damage dice and appropriate abilities.
• Action Surge Usage: Save your Action Surge for critical moments to deal devastating blows.
• Fighting Style: Consider your selected fighting style and how it synergizes with your chosen weapons and attack strategy.
• Critical Hits: Landing a critical hit will deal double the dice roll, significantly boosting your damage.

Understanding the mechanics of Extra Attack and the broader action economy is crucial for effective combat in D&D 5e. By mastering these rules, you can optimize your character's combat performance and become a more effective and devastating fighter.