Actions

All 126 actions from the D&D 5e (2014) System Reference Document. Free, searchable, no account needed.

New to role-play gaming

What you can do on your turn, in the order most people ask about it. Every answer links to the rules text itself.

What can I actually do on my turn?

One action, and you move. Most of what a character does in a fight is one of about ten standard actions, and all of them are in this list. See: Attack, Dash, Dodge, Disengage, Help, Hide, Ready, Search.

What is a bonus action, and do I get one every turn?

Only when something you have gives you one. It is not a second action you always get, which is the single most common misunderstanding at a new table. See: Bonus Action, Two-Weapon Fighting.

What is a reaction?

Something you do on somebody else’s turn, in response to a specific trigger. You get one per round, and it comes back at the start of your next turn. See: Reactions, Opportunity Attacks, Ready.

Can I move and still do things?

Yes. Movement is not an action, and you can split it up - move a little, act, then move the rest. See: Dash.

What if I want to do something that is not on the list?

Describe it and ask. The list is what the rules name; it is not a limit on what a character may try, and the Game Master decides what it takes.