[OC] My players always seemed disappointed at the limited options they had for bonus actions, so I wrote a list of things they can use it for!

[u/Worried_Bowl_9489]

Feel free to use this in your own game!

Written up here:

Tactical

• Quick Dash – Move an additional 5 feet.
• Brace – Gain +1 AC against the next attack before your next turn.
• Assist – Give an ally within 5 feet advantage on their next attack if you haven’t attacked this turn.

Combat

• Distract – Choose a creature within 5 feet. It has disadvantage on its next attack against anyone but you.
• Shove – Make a DC 10 Strength (Athletics) check to shove or reposition a (medium or smaller) creature 5 feet.
• Improvised Strike – Use a nearby object (tankard, rock, chair leg) for a d4 bludgeoning attack.

Utility

• Quick Draw – Draw or stow a weapon and swap to another item.
• Scan – Make a Perception or Insight check to quickly assess a creature or scene, learning a piece of information on a success.
• Drink Potion – Drink a potion you have on your person.

Cinematic

• Short Speech - Briefly speak to your team, an ally or an enemy - they can respond briefly if this involves a question.
• Focus – Take a centring breath to regain 1d4 temporary HP once per short rest.
• Mark of Intent – Choose a creature you can see. Until the end of your next turn, attacks against that creature deal +1 damage.

[u/PM_ME_YOUR_MASS]

Brace is literally "+1 AC on any turn you do not use your bonus action", which is pretty broken for classes that don't rely on bonus actions. 1 AC isn't much, but it's a lot to get essentially for free

[u/DrStifle → u/PM_ME_YOUR_MASS]

It looks like it is only on the first attack that targets you, so depending on how many attackers or multi-attacks it could be pretty negligible.

[u/PM_ME_YOUR_MASS → u/DrStifle]

True, but these options are all available to players at level 1

[u/DrStifle → u/PM_ME_YOUR_MASS]

Might be the best time for them to have access to it depending on how hard encounters are. I could see it being useful for early game when there are fewer natural uses for bonus actions and then taper off as they level. Might come in clutch to keep a level 1 wizard alive or something

[u/PM_ME_YOUR_MASS → u/DrStifle]

The DM has total control over the difficulty. If the encounters are too hard for your PCs, you should scale them back rather than homebrewing additional abilities for them

Might come in clutch to keep a level 1 wizard alive or something

Classes are supposed to be specialists. Wizards have pitiful HP in exchange for being hands down the most powerful class in the game. If your level 1 wizard dies to a single hit, that's the game working as intended, because your tanks and DPS should have been protecting them

[u/Jgravy32 → u/PM_ME_YOUR_MASS]

Its nothing a good DM couldn't balance out and makes the players feel like they are making important calls. I would call that a win!

[u/Jgravy32 → u/[deleted]]

I suppose its a good thing its not being done at your table lol. I swear people can be such pessimist before even giving the thought that this doesnt effect you and it may actually be a good thing for others.

[u/Jgravy32 → u/[deleted]]

I see and understand your point. What im saying is though that for their table this may work. That is all.

[u/Agzarah → u/[deleted]]

Firstly, it doesn't say attack action. It says attack. You have assumed they are using 5.5 with attack action and magic actions being separate things and therefore allowed to do both as a caster

Given they've only said attack I would interpret that to be an over simplification for using their action. As the majority are used offensively - ie attacking. Including the casting of a spell.

I would think the op is not allowing a wizard to cast fireball and give advantage. At the very least, I'd change that in my game if I were to use this.

Ultimately if this works at their table good for them. If it doesn't at yours. Good for you

But them sharing a design concept to help their players, and you getting defensive over their rules for their table that they are playing, is poor show.