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As a player in Dungeons & Dragons, there’s pretty much nothing you can’t do. So much of the fun of the game is simply explaining to your Dungeon Master the course of action you’d like to take, and resolving it through dice rolls. However, it’s also important to know that the 2024 Player’s Handbook does offer specific actions you can take that are universal.
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Understanding these rules, and how specific actions work, can open up a wide range of possibilities for your character in Dungeons & Dragons. So, here’s a full breakdown of everything you need to know about actions.
What Is An Action?
In Dungeons & Dragons, an action is something you do as a player character other than simply moving or speaking. Typically, an action takes six seconds of in-game time.
In combat, this is why you’ll sometimes hear DMs say that a round is six seconds long, because everyone is taking one action typically during combat.
Actions can be either combative, utilitarian, or supportive, depending on what you’re trying to achieve. This means you can do things like healing your party, attacking an enemy, or investigating an area of interest.
Many spells, magic items, species abilities, and class features may say ‘use the X action’ in their rules description.
When clearing up rules disparities at the table, refer to the Rules Glossary at the back of the 2024 Player’s Handbook if there is any confusion about what this action entails.
Remember that actions are also distinct from bonus actions or reactions, which occupy their own lane in terms of action economy.
What Actions Can You Take?
While you can, of course, do a lot of things with your action, the 2024 Player’s Handbook offers many specific actions you can take.
You are by no means limited to these actions, but, you’d be surprised how many times things you might want to do fall under these umbrellas.
Here is a quick overview of all actions, and a brief description of how they work.
Many actions, as well as most improvised or unconventional actions you may choose to take, will require a d20 roll determined by the DM.
The Rules Glossary of the 2024 Player’s Handbook also has additional rules for some of these actions, which can be referenced when turns and player actions get complicated.
How To Use Actions
A great way to understand how to use actions properly is to break each action down into categories. All-in-all, there are three ‘categories’ of actions in Dungeons & Dragons.
Some actions belong to multiple categories, and can be used differently in different situations.
Whatever situation you find yourself in, remember it’s not all about attacking or defending. Helping another ally or investigating an area can open up possibilities that you might not have previously thought of in the heat of the moment.
Remember, you can only take one action at a time.
Part of the reason actions are so important to understand is that ordering actions will be how the DM maintains narrative continuity, particularly for larger parties.
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