BarneyBent
2019-08-29, 09:36 PM
So as we know, you cannot cast a levelled spell with your action and another spell with your bonus action on the same turn.
My question is, what happens if you take the Ready action to ready a spell for release with your reaction? For example; a Cleric might cast Spiritual Weapon using their bonus action, and then ready Spirit Guardians to be released when the next combatant’s turn begins.
Relevant Spellcasting rule here:
A spell cast with a Bonus Action is especially swift. You must use a Bonus Action on Your Turn to cast the spell, provided that you haven’t already taken a Bonus Action this turn. You can’t cast another spell during the same turn, except for a cantrip with a Casting Time of 1 action.
Ready action:
When you ready a spell, you cast it as normal but hold its energy, which you release with your Reaction when the trigger occurs. To be readied, a spell must have a Casting Time of 1 action, and holding onto the spell’s magic requires Concentration. If your Concentration is broken, the spell dissipates without taking effect. For example, if you are concentrating on the web spell and ready Magic Missile, your web spell ends, and if you take damage before you release Magic Missile with your Reaction, your Concentration might be broken.
Depending on your reading, you could argue that you complete the casting of the spell “as normal” with your action, but just “release” the spell with your reaction. Therefore, you have violated the rules of bonus action casting and cannot cast a bonus action spell.
An alternate reading is that you have not taken the Cast A Spell action, and/or that you do not COMPLETE casting the spell on your turn, therefore it is acceptable.
From a RAW-agnostic perspective, would you view this as against the spirit of the rules? It isn’t without cost, as it uses your reaction. Spellcasters with strong reactions (e.g. Shield spell, War Wizards, melees with Warcaster, etc) would be particular affected. Would this cost be enough to allow you to use it even if you judge it as not RAW?
My question is, what happens if you take the Ready action to ready a spell for release with your reaction? For example; a Cleric might cast Spiritual Weapon using their bonus action, and then ready Spirit Guardians to be released when the next combatant’s turn begins.
Relevant Spellcasting rule here:
A spell cast with a Bonus Action is especially swift. You must use a Bonus Action on Your Turn to cast the spell, provided that you haven’t already taken a Bonus Action this turn. You can’t cast another spell during the same turn, except for a cantrip with a Casting Time of 1 action.
Ready action:
When you ready a spell, you cast it as normal but hold its energy, which you release with your Reaction when the trigger occurs. To be readied, a spell must have a Casting Time of 1 action, and holding onto the spell’s magic requires Concentration. If your Concentration is broken, the spell dissipates without taking effect. For example, if you are concentrating on the web spell and ready Magic Missile, your web spell ends, and if you take damage before you release Magic Missile with your Reaction, your Concentration might be broken.
Depending on your reading, you could argue that you complete the casting of the spell “as normal” with your action, but just “release” the spell with your reaction. Therefore, you have violated the rules of bonus action casting and cannot cast a bonus action spell.
An alternate reading is that you have not taken the Cast A Spell action, and/or that you do not COMPLETE casting the spell on your turn, therefore it is acceptable.
From a RAW-agnostic perspective, would you view this as against the spirit of the rules? It isn’t without cost, as it uses your reaction. Spellcasters with strong reactions (e.g. Shield spell, War Wizards, melees with Warcaster, etc) would be particular affected. Would this cost be enough to allow you to use it even if you judge it as not RAW?